English: Cambridge English Exam Preparation Courses

If you are interested in improving your English to a high level and gaining a Cambridge certificate follow the Cambridge Exam preparation courses.

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If you are interested in improving your English to a high level and gaining a Cambridge certificate follow the Cambridge Exam preparation courses.

 Registration form
 Intake and registration
 Certificate and ECTS credits
 Courses

  • B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency level
  • can be used for college admissions
  • courses run from Oct- April or Feb to Nov (no classes in July and August)
  • 24 sessions of 2 hours per week
  • at least 2 hours preparation time per lesson

Improve your English!

Maastricht University's Language Centre has successfully taught Cambridge English courses at three different attainment levels for over 20 years.  In that time, we have prepared over a thousand candidates including students, members of UM staff, and people living and working across Maastricht and the Province of Limburg. 

The Cambridge English Qualification courses focus on improving your speaking, reading, listening and writing skills in English as well as expanding your vocabulary and knowledge of grammatical structures.:

  • Cambridge B2 First
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency

 

Costs excl. exam fee:

  • UM students € 525
  • UM employees, UM Alumni, and other participants:
    • B2 First: € 1250
    • C1 Advanced: € 1350
    • C2 Proficiency: € 1450

The course material is not included in the course fee.

Intake and registration

Target audience

The Cambridge courses are open to everyone who wishes to improve their level of English by full one level on the CEFR scale. Past participants include:

  • Teachers and lecturers required to teach in English
  • Administrative staff both within the University and externally e.g. banks, businesses, local government workers
  • Medical staff, Master’s and PhD candidates
  • Support officers, policy makers, etc. required to deal with external agencies in relation to education and international administration
  • Support officers, policy makers, etc. required to work with non-Dutch speaking students or staff
  • Students wishing to study outside the EU or in other universities where proof of English language ability is required
  • Employees who would like to improve their qualifications
  • People who need an internationally recognized certificate for visas for the UK, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand etc.

Further details of where Cambridge English qualifications are accepted can be found at: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/why-choose-us/global-recognition/

 

Admission requirements

Before starting a Cambridge course, all participants need to complete an online test and short interview with one of our English teachers to ensure we place everyone in the correct course for their current level. Please send an e-mail to languages-intake-eng@maastrichtuniversity.nl expressing your interest in a Cambridge course.

Certificate and ECTS credits

The courses prepare you for the following Cambridge English Qualifications :

Depending on Faculty policies the following credits may be awarded

  • Cambridge English: B2 First  3,5 ECTS.
  • Cambridge English: C1 Advanced 4 ECTS.
  • Cambridge English: C2 Proficiency 4,5 ECTS.

Please note that primarily the Language Centre Cambridge courses aim to improve the participants’ level of English to enable them to pass the optional examination at the end of the course.  We encourage everyone to take the exam in order to gain an internationally recognized certificate from Cambridge English.  However, as the exam is optional the Cambridge examination fees are not included in the price of the course. 

Cambridge B2: First (E-FCE)

Cambridge C1: Advanced (E-CAE)

The C1 Advanced course is at a higher level than the English B2 First.  Successful completion of this course means the student can demonstrate they have a rich vocabulary, a good command of grammar and syntax, and a higher level of accuracy and fluency.  You will be able to understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. Ideas will be expressed fluently and language used flexibly for social, academic and professional purposes.

Required materials

  • Gold 6e C1 Advanced Student's Book with Interactive eBook, Digital Resources and App, ISBN 9781292396361
  • Maximiser with key (Optional), ISBN 9781292202181

Cambridge C2: Proficiency (E-CPE)

The Certificate of C2 Proficiency in English shows a person has an exceptional level of English.  It demonstrates the user has the fluency and sophistication of a near-native speaker and is in fact the highest-level qualification for non-native speakers of English.  Successful completion of this course and the final examination provides proof to employers and educational establishments that you are highly competent in using all aspects of the English language.

Required materials

  • Expert Proficiency (Cambridge Proficiency Exam) C2, students’ book with audio CD-ROM, ISBN 9781447937593
  • Students’ Resources book (with key), ISBN 9781408299005