Becoming a centre requires a number of pre-approval checks, and successful applicants pay a fee for being approved as a centre.
If there is no authorised exam centre near you, and you are interested in applying, we will consider your application in line with our business strategy, existing provision and local conditions.
Before you apply, please check that you can answer these questions:
- Have you identified whether there is a need for a Cambridge English examination centre in your area?
- Is your institution financially sound?
- Could you provide us with a 3-year business plan with sales forecasts?
- Would you be prepared to visit state schools in your area to promote Cambridge English examinations and to increase candidate numbers?
- Do you have suitable computer facilities to enable you to increase the number of computer-based tests?
If you wish to enquire about becoming a centre, please contact your local Cambridge office.
As leaders in the field of language assessment we are continually developing our digital offering to ensure that we are at the cutting edge of technological developments.
Since 2005 we have offered computer-based versions of many of our traditional paper-based exams. In 2024 we updated our offering and launched Cambridge English Qualifications Digital.
Available from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency, our digital exams provide a faster, flexible way to get a Cambridge English Qualification. They test the same knowledge and skills as paper-based exams but with enhanced digital features.
Benefits of digital testing
For centres:
- Quicker results turnaround time.
- Available 365 days a year at any time of day and with no limit to the number of sessions.
- Entries can be made closer to test dates (up to 2 working days before the exam date).
- Reduced amount of administrative preparation.
- No need to pay for despatch, delivery and shipping duties.
For candidates:
Fast
Candidates get their result quicker than paper-based tests. Results will be delivered in 5-10 working days.
Flexible
Exam sessions are available up to 365 days a year, if offered by the exam centre (see above).
Preferred
Digital features help candidates focus and feel in control. A comfortable test-taking experience (easy-to-follow tutorial, sound quality using headphones for listening, on-screen timer to show how much time is left).
Secure
Test content is randomised for increased security.
Please note, the Speaking exam remains face-to-face, with no change to windows.
Digital practice materials
We have extensive support material available for our digital exams, including Authentic Digital Practice Tests and video tutorials.
Software
Inspera, our digital exam software, supports the delivery of our range of exam and offers the following:
- Can be used on all major operating systems, with a straightforward installation process and user-friendly interface. No local area network (LAN) is required.
- An internet connection is required to download the test at the start and upload at the end, but not during the test, so the candidate will not be impacted by WiFi issues.
- Bookable through the Cambridge Exam Centre Portal (CECP).
Find out more
Contact the Cambridge English Helpdesk for more information about what you need to get started with digital testing. Your local development manager will be able to help you throughout the registration process, give you details on any requirements and answer any other questions you may have regarding Cambridge English Qualifications Digital.
Over the last five years we have invited our top-performing centres to be part of our Platinum Centre Scheme. Platinum Centres have access to special benefits, including visits to Cambridge for administrative staff, invigilator, customer service, sales and marketing training and free seminar resources.
We are currently reviewing the scheme to ensure that the benefits offered continue to ensure that our centres represent excellence in quality of exam delivery and customer service standards. While this review is being undertaken we are not expanding our current Platinum Centre Network.
We welcome applications from institutions with a commitment to providing quality language teacher training. If you would like to run our teaching qualification courses you need to have been operating as an English language centre/department for at least three years and must be accredited by the relevant local accreditation agency.
The first step in the application process is checking that your institution meets the requirements for the relevant qualification. Before you apply, please read through the syllabus handbook and information provided on the Teaching Qualifications page, and read our introductory guide to setting up a CELTA centre.
If you wish to enquire about becoming a Teaching qualification centre, please contact your local Cambridge office.
There are some great benefits of becoming a Cambridge English Preparation Centre. Learn more about how your school can benefit and how you can apply to join our network of more 52,000 registered schools around the world.
Become a Cambridge English Preparation Centre
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is owned, developed and delivered through a partnership of the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English. The network of IELTS centres is administered by the British Council and IDP Australia.
How to apply to become a centre
Institutions interested in applying to offer IELTS should contact either the British Council or IDP Education Australia directly:
British Council
Visit www.britishcouncil.org or email: ielts@britishcouncil.org
IDP Education Australia
Visit www.idp.com or email: ielts@idp.com
For more information, visit the IELTS website
Linguaskill agents, also known as channel partners, run and administer the Linguaskill tests, and establish and maintain contacts with companies, organisations and training providers. We are currently making changes to the way that Linguaskill is administered and are not accepting new applications at this time. We will update this page again once the changes are in place.
More and more people take Cambridge English exams to access life opportunities, such as employment, immigration or entry to higher education. Governments, employers, education institutions and other organisations therefore need to be able to trust the reliability and quality of our exams.
By observing our administration regulations, Cambridge English examination centres preserve that trust.
Detailed training and information is available to ensure centres are kept up to date on administering our exams and to explain why certain regulations are important to security. For example:
- ID checks are vital for reducing the risk of impersonation and identity fraud
- Test day photographs provide reassurance that a person presenting an exam certificate is the same person who took the test. Organisations accepting our exam and immigration staff are able to view test day photographs through our online Results Verification Service
- Removing electronic items from candidates before the beginning of a test prevents fraud and malpractice
- Seating plans are used in post-test analysis which can help identify whether malpractice has occurred
- Suitably trained invigilators and supervisors can patrol exam rooms and ensure candidates do not have opportunities to cheat.
In addition to our own inspections, carried out to check that regulations described in our Handbook for Centres are being adhered to, external organisations such as Australia's Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) also reserve the right to perform their own inspections of Cambridge English exam centres.