A certificate or diploma confirming that the candidate has passed an examination conducted according to international methodology will be recognized by foreign employers as well.
When it comes to English exams, i.e. those recognized by educational institutions in the UK, they include the Cambridge exams (UCLES), Oxford exams (OXFORD/ARELS), IELTS, ESOL (PITMAN), and TRINITY.
Certificates from the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), also known as Cambridge certificates, are recognized by many British universities as well as British and European companies when recruiting staff. By the way, the University of Cambridge itself recognizes only its own certificates. That's how proud they are. Therefore, if you plan to study there, make sure you obtain such a document.
Cambridge exams are only administered by the British Council. Oral tests are conducted by British examiners, and written papers are sent to the UK for assessment. If you want to find out which exam corresponds to your level of English, you can take a preliminary test. All necessary information can be found on the official website of the Cambridge Examination Syndicate at www.ucles.org.uk and the British Council in Ukraine at www.britishcouncil.org/uk/ukraine.htm.
The written Oxford exam in English as a foreign language is conducted by the Oxford University Examination Board. The exam has three levels: The Preliminary Examination (intermediate), The Higher Examination (advanced), and Diploma (native-speaker proficiency).
There are also oral 'supplements' to the written Oxford exams. They are called ARELS Oral Examinations and have the same levels of difficulty. These certificates won't help you when applying to a university; they may rather be useful for finding a job. You cannot take the ARELS exam here; for that you would have to go on a special language trip abroad.
The certificate of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), confirming practical language proficiency, is recognized by most universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as by institutions in other countries where instruction is in English. Obtaining this certificate requires passing an exam consisting of four parts (listening, reading, composition, and practical writing task), each of which is scored on a nine-point scale. To enter a university, you need to score at least six points. IELTS takes into account the test taker's specialization.
The PITMAN ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exam — English for speakers of other languages — is recognized by all UK universities, many foreign institutions where instruction is in English, and employers in the business sector in 85 countries worldwide.
PITMAN's examination standards are focused on the practical use of language in solving everyday tasks. This certificate can be recommended to secretaries and managers, since it is in this area that PITMAN has the greatest authority. The ESOL exam at each level allows for the possibility of obtaining a certificate in two grades. You can preliminarily assess which level your knowledge corresponds to by taking a trial exam.
The multi-level exams of Trinity College London can be taken by anyone regardless of language proficiency and age. Holders of a higher-level Trinity certificate receive the opportunity to enter the largest universities in the UK without a language exam. Trinity exams are conducted as an oral interview with an examiner. For preparation, there are special study guides, Trinity English. For any questions, you can contact Trinity College directly at [email protected].
Keep in mind that in the USA and Canada, British documents carry no particular weight and are accepted by far from all universities. Americans have their own system of language tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) — an international exam in English as a foreign language, prepared by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at Princeton University. Providing TOEFL results is a necessary condition for admission to more than 2,400 colleges and universities in the USA, Canada, and some other countries, as well as for participation in many overseas internship programs at institutions where instruction is in English.
If you haven't yet changed your mind about conquering the heights of knowledge abroad, choose the right exam and go for it. We wish you success!