FCE and CAE are the former names of B2 First and C1 Advanced, the exams run by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. B2 First certifies level B2 and C1 Advanced level C1. Both are scored on the Cambridge English Scale, and the certificate never expires, although universities may accept only recent results. Many universities in the UK, Australia and Europe accept them for admission: Imperial College London and UNSW Sydney, for example, ask for at least 176 in C1 Advanced, while the Australian Student visa accepts 161. They do not work for UK visas because they are not on the SELT list. They cannot currently be taken in Russia: Cambridge paused new business there in 2022, and on 02.10.2026 neither Russia nor Belarus appears in Cambridge's official exam centre search. The nearest authorised centres are in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Serbia and the UAE, and each centre sets its own fee.
| At a glance | B2 First (FCE) | C1 Advanced (CAE) |
|---|---|---|
| Target level | B2 | C1 |
| Scores that earn a certificate | 160–190 | 180–210 |
| Written papers | About 3 h 15 min | About 3 h 40 min |
| Speaking | 14 minutes per pair | 15 minutes per pair |
| Results | Digital: 5–10 working days; paper: 4–6 weeks | Same |
| Validity | No expiry; universities may set a limit | Same |
| UK visa | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| Where Russian citizens sit it | Neighbouring countries | Neighbouring countries |
The Cambridge English family from A2 Key to C2 Proficiency
Each Cambridge exam targets one CEFR level but also reports the level below (and, for B2 First and C1 Advanced, the level above). If you sit C1 Advanced and perform at B2, you receive a B2 certificate; a very low result earns no certificate, only a score on the Statement of Results.
| Exam | Former name | Level | Certificate range | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key | KET | A2 | 120–150 | School pupils, first step |
| B1 Preliminary | PET | B1 | 140–170 | School, some foundation courses |
| B2 First | FCE | B2 | 160–190 | Colleges, some bachelor's programmes, work |
| C1 Advanced | CAE | C1 | 180–210 | Bachelor's and master's at selective universities |
| C2 Proficiency | CPE | C2 | 200–230 | Programmes with very high language demands, teaching |
A2 Key, B1 Preliminary and B2 First also come in "for Schools" versions with the same level, format and certificate but topics aimed at teenagers. Universities accept both versions unless they say otherwise.
Exam format
The components are the same on paper and on computer. Speaking is always face to face: two or three candidates with two examiners, one of whom may join remotely.
| Paper | B2 First | C1 Advanced | C2 Proficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading and Use of English | 1 h 15 min, 7 parts, 52 questions | 1 h 30 min, 8 parts, 56 questions | 1 h 30 min, 7 parts, 53 questions |
| Writing | 1 h 20 min, 2 texts | 1 h 30 min, 2 texts | 1 h 30 min, 2 texts |
| Listening | About 40 min, 30 questions | About 40 min, 30 questions | About 40 min, 30 questions |
| Speaking | 14 min per pair, 20 per group of three | 15 min per pair, 23 per group of three | 16 min per pair, 24 per group of three |
What sets these exams apart from IELTS is Use of English: word formation, key-word transformations, collocations and phrasal verbs. It takes months to build, and because C1 Advanced merges it with reading, weak grammar drags down half of the written result.
Reading your result
Each skill gets its own Cambridge English Scale score, and the overall result is their average. You also receive a grade and a CEFR level.
| Exam | Grade A | Grade B | Grade C | Level below |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B2 First | 180–190 (C1 certificate) | 173–179 (B2) | 160–172 (B2) | 140–159 (B1) |
| C1 Advanced | 200–210 (C2 certificate) | 193–199 (C1) | 180–192 (C1) | 160–179 (B2) |
| C2 Proficiency | 220–230 (C2) | 213–219 (C2) | 200–212 (C2) | 180–199 (C1) |
Universities almost always state requirements in scale scores rather than grades, often with a minimum for each skill. A "C1 Advanced, Grade C" with 180 overall and 165 in writing will not meet a requirement of 176 overall with 169 in every skill.
What universities and visa authorities require
| University or authority | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University of Edinburgh, undergraduate | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 176 overall, at least 162 in each skill | Result no more than 3.5 years old at the start month of the degree |
| Imperial College London | C1 Advanced: 176 with 169 per skill; higher level 185 with 176 | C2 Proficiency also accepted |
| University of Sheffield | C1 Advanced from 176/169 to 191/185 depending on the course; C2 Proficiency 200 with 191 | Some courses accept B1 Preliminary bands |
| University of Manchester | C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency, bands from 162–168 up to 191–230 | Level depends on the programme |
| UNSW Sydney | C1 Advanced: 176 with 169 in each skill | Some programmes ask for more |
| Australian Student visa (subclass 500) | C1 Advanced: at least 161 for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 | Packages with ELICOS English courses are not available on C1 Advanced scores |
| UK Student visa | Not accepted: Cambridge is not a SELT | At degree level the university assesses English; below degree level a SELT is required |
Two conclusions follow. For UK bachelor's and master's degrees, C1 Advanced works if the university accepts it, because at those levels the university confirms your English for the visa itself. For a UK foundation course or language school you need a SELT, such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI. Our guide to English tests for the UK student visa explains the difference. The application process itself is covered in our guides to applying to UK universities and the Australian student visa.
B2 First or C1 Advanced?
| Your situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| College, foundation or a bachelor's that asks for B2 | B2 First, if accepted; aim for 170+ to have a margin |
| Bachelor's or master's at a university asking for IELTS 6.5–7.0 | C1 Advanced: requirements of 176–185 sit in that range |
| Solid B2+ but not yet C1 | A high B2 First score is safer than a C1 Advanced result of 160–175 |
| You need one result for several countries and visas | Check whether IELTS or PTE is better: visa authorities accept them more widely |
| Work or teaching | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, since the certificate does not expire |
The main risk with Cambridge is choosing a level above your real one. Take a full official practice test under timed conditions, with a teacher marking your writing, before you pay the fee.
Where Russian citizens can take Cambridge English
Cambridge University Press & Assessment paused new business in Russia after February 2022 and confirmed in an October 2023 update that the pause continues. On 02.10.2026 Russia and Belarus are not among the countries in Cambridge English's official centre search, so Russian applicants sit the exams abroad. The search shows each authorised centre's code, name, city and the exams it runs; the centre itself gives you session dates and fees.
| Country | Authorised centres in Cambridge's official search (02.10.2026) | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Kazakhstan | Three centres: Almaty, Tekeli, Atyrau | Kazakh citizens do not need to travel |
| Kyrgyzstan | One centre in Bishkek | With a single centre, free dates go quickly |
| Uzbekistan | Three centres: two in Tashkent, one in Samarkand | Check dates for higher levels early |
| Armenia | One centre in Yerevan | Paper-based sessions follow a fixed timetable; plan months ahead |
| Georgia | Three centres in Tbilisi | Match the centre code against the official search |
| Azerbaijan | Four centres in Baku | Match the centre code against the official search |
| Türkiye | Seven centres: Istanbul, Izmir, Ankara, Mersin | The widest choice of cities |
| Serbia | Six centres: Belgrade and Novi Sad | Match the centre code against the official search |
| UAE | Three centres: Dubai and Abu Dhabi | A long trip; budget for travel |
Fees. Cambridge does not publish a single fee: each centre sets its own, and prices differ noticeably between countries. Ask a centre from the official search for its price list and check whether sending results and the paper certificate are included. Budget separately for travel and accommodation.
Who actually runs the exam. Registrations are sometimes taken by language schools or agencies that are not exam centres themselves. Before paying, ask which centre code the session runs under and find that code in Cambridge's official search.
Payment. Paper-based sessions are usually paid several weeks ahead; digital sessions closer to the date. The centre sets the rules. Legal ways for Russian residents to pay abroad are covered in our guide on how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Paper or digital, and when results arrive
| Stage | Digital | Paper-based |
|---|---|---|
| Dates | Set by the centre, usually more frequent | Fixed sessions from Cambridge's annual timetable |
| Online results | 5–10 working days after the session | 4–6 weeks |
| Paper certificate at the centre | 3–4 weeks | 7–10 weeks |
For B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency your photo is taken on exam day, and you may not be allowed to sit without it. Universities verify results through Cambridge's online results service, so you rarely need to wait for the paper certificate. The Confirmation of Entry issued by your centre states the latest date by which results will be available.
If a university deadline is close, choose the digital format: the difference in turnaround can cost you an intake.
Does the certificate expire?
Cambridge says plainly that its certificates do not expire and that universities, colleges and employers decide how old a result they will accept. In practice the limits differ: Edinburgh accepts C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency up to 3.5 years old at the start of the degree, while other universities set their own limit. If your certificate is older, check each programme's rule before applying.
Preparation timeline
- 9–12 months before the deadline. List your universities and record each programme's requirement: exam, overall score, minimum per skill, maximum age of the result.
- 6–8 months before. Take a full official practice test and choose the exam level and format.
- 3–4 months before. Find a centre abroad, confirm dates and payment method, and register.
- 4–8 weeks before. Drill Use of English and writing against the Cambridge criteria, and practise speaking in pairs.
- After the exam. Open your result in the online service and send it to your universities straight away.
Common mistakes
- Taking C1 Advanced for a UK foundation visa. Cambridge is not a SELT, so a visa below degree level needs a test from that list, such as PTE Academic UKVI.
- Reading the grade instead of the score. Grade C in C1 Advanced starts at 180, yet a single weak skill can still miss the requirement.
- Booking a level above your own. A C1 Advanced result of 160–179 earns a B2 certificate, not C1.
- Not checking the age rule. The certificate never expires, but a university may accept only recent results.
- Travelling to a paper session a month before the deadline. Results take 4–6 weeks.
- Paying through an unknown intermediary. The registration and payment should be in your own name.
FAQ
They are the former names of B2 First and C1 Advanced, Cambridge University Press & Assessment exams at levels B2 and C1. They test reading, grammar and vocabulary, writing, listening and speaking. Cambridge issues the scores, and the university or employer decides whether to accept the certificate.
Plan to travel: Cambridge paused new business in Russia in 2022, and Russian applicants sit the exams in neighbouring countries such as Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Türkiye or Serbia. Match the centre's name and code against Cambridge English's official search before you pay.
There is no single price: the authorised centre sets the fee, and it varies by country. Ask a centre from Cambridge's official search for its price list, and add travel and accommodation if you are going abroad.
The certificate itself never expires. Each university decides how old a result it will accept: Edinburgh takes certificates up to 3.5 years old at the start of the degree, while other universities set their own limits. Check the specific programme's requirement.
Not for courses below degree level, which require a SELT. For bachelor's and master's degrees the UK university assesses your English itself, so C1 Advanced works if that university accepts it. UK Visas and Immigration issues the visa, and the university makes the admission decision.
The university sets it. A common standard is 176 overall with 169 in every skill (Imperial, UNSW); Edinburgh asks for 176 with 162; competitive programmes ask for 185 or more. The Australian Student visa minimum for C1 Advanced is 161.
Cambridge makes sense when your universities accept it and you want a non-expiring certificate at a fixed level. IELTS and PTE are accepted more widely by visa authorities, and their scores are not capped by the exam level. Decide from the test lists of your programmes; our Duolingo English Test guide covers the at-home option.
Sources
- Cambridge University Press & Assessment: statements on the invasion of Ukraine, October 2023 update — checked 02.10.2026
- Cambridge English: format of B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency; results, scale, validity, photo rule — checked 02.10.2026
- University of Edinburgh: undergraduate English, Imperial College London, University of Sheffield, University of Manchester, UNSW Sydney — checked 02.10.2026
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: Student visa (subclass 500), English — checked 02.10.2026
- GOV.UK: SELTs and providers; Student visa English requirement — checked 02.10.2026
- Cambridge English: find an authorised exam centre — countries and centres checked 02.10.2026
If you want to work through your route, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, the exam result is determined by the test provider, and the university makes the admission decision.
Next steps
- PTE Academic: What the Test Is, Where Russian Citizens Can Take It and Who Accepts It
- English Tests for the UK Student Visa in 2026: When You Need IELTS for UKVI, Which SELTs Count and Where to Take Them
- Applying to UK Universities for 2027: A Step-by-Step Plan for International Students
- Australian Student Visa (Subclass 500) in 2026: Requirements, Funds, Genuine Student Questions and How to Apply
- How to Pay for Studies Abroad from Russia: What Works in 2026
- Duolingo English Test Guide: Format, Scores, Price and Acceptance
