International English - Campbell College

We warmly welcome international students to Campbell College and recognise that they might need help with their English language. Therefore we offer a range of options to help in this area.

When considering Campbell College we ask that students have a certain level of understanding of the English Language and every student whose native language is not English will be required to take an online English assessment test. The assessment will take one and a half hours and is carried out under the supervision of an Agent or through appropriate invigilation with agreement.

If you have any questions regarding this please contact Mr Bert Robinson brobinson317@campbell.belfast.ni.sch.uk

Please consider that we ask for the following levels of English upon entrance to the College:

Years 8/9 - IELTS 3.5 or CEFR A2/B1
Years 10 - IELTS 4.0 or CEFR B1
Years 11/12 - IELTS 4.5-5.5 or CEFR B1/B2
Years 13/14 - IELTS 6-7 or CEFR B2/C1

Years 8&9

Year 10

Year 11

When pupils make their GCSE subject choices they have the option of choosing International GCSE in English as a Second Language. This course automatically incorporates International English tuition (five periods per week of IGCSE curriculum). A pass grade fulfils the English proficiency requirements of many universities in the UK and other English speaking countries.

Year 12

In Year 12, international pupils continue their second year of IGCSE exam preparation. The pupils sit the exam on the dates set by the exam board. When applying to universities, it is essential that students can communicate effectively in English and are able to do so in an academic environment.

Cambridge IGCSE English Language qualifications are recognised by a significant number of UK universities as evidence of English Language competency for university study.

Years 13&14

The College provides a 2-year preparation course for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), a standardised test of proficiency for non-native English language speakers, required for undergraduate and post-graduate application to UK universities. The course will ensure students are well-prepared in advanced, academic English across their Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking skills, in order to achieve the recommended minimum of a Band 6 score, acknowledging their ability to manage with Higher Education studies in English.

For international students wishing to prepare for the Cambridge First Certificate (FCE), the Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE) or the Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE), provision is via a third party, International House (IH). The College can facilitiate the organisation of enrolment onto a course with IH, however it should be noted that preparation for these exams takes place outside of lesson time, and under the necessary instruction of IH.