Early Years Education MA : University of Sussex

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Key information

Duration:: 1 year full time
Start date:: September 2025
Apply by:: 1 August 2025 (international), 1 September 2025 (UK)

1st in the UK for our research impact in Education in REF 2021 (Times Higher Education)
8th in the UK for Education (Complete University Guide 2025)

Do you want to work in teaching or management in the UK, or in international Early Years educational contexts?

This MA is ideal if you’re an international student wishing to explore early years education in the UK. You’ll study both the practical and theoretical aspects of education in the zero-to-five-years age range. Early Years learning primarily focuses on the following ideas:

what constitutes ‘quality’ in Early Years education?
equity, inclusion and justice for the pre-school child and the wider family
ideas of communication, imagination, language and literacy, and provision for the bi/trilingual child
understandings of early mathematical and scientific development
discourses of nurture, care and attachment.

At Sussex, we’re proud of our innovative approaches to teaching and education courses. We’ve got a network of over 150 local secondary, primary and nursery schools working together with the University to provide work placements for our education students.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities described in this prospectus. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to government or regulatory requirements, or unanticipated staff changes, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.

Apply now

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Degree requirements	You should normally have a lower second-class (2.2) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.

Please select your country from the list.

Degree requirements	Licenciado/Titulo with a minimum final mark of at least 6.0-7.0 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 or 81%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 2.5/4.0 (Grade C+).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	A 4-year Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.2/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a minimum final mark of at least 7.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second class lower division or CGPA 2.7/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 (grade B).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 4.5-5.0/7 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 65%-70% depending on your university. Sussex uses Project 211/985 to inform offer levels. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad’ and a minimum CGPA of 3.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a minimum final mark of at least 6.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 7 (Fair Performance).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 15/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from a university with a minimum overall grade of at least 70%.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licence with mention assez bien or Maîtrise with a minimum final mark of at least 12.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a minimum final mark of 2.7 or better.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from a public university with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Ptychion from an AEI with a minimum final mark of at least 6.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of at least 50-65% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 2.8/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a minimum final mark of at least 14.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Diploma di Laurea with a minimum overall mark of at least 101.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or 75%.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall mark of 3.5/5 or CGPA 3.0/4
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0 or B.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA 3.0/4.0 or 13/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Masters degree, depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.7/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	A 4-year Bachelor degree with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum second-class lower division or CGPA of at least 2.8-2.99/4.0, 3.0-3.49/5.0, or 4.0-4.6/7.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall grade of C.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 2.8/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Four-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 60%-65% or CGPA 2.4 - 2.6 depending on your university. Masters degree following a 3-year Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 60%-65% or CGPA 2.4 - 2.6 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum of at least 70% or CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors with a minimum final mark of at least 7/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 12/20 from a public university or 14/20 from a private university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Masters degree with a minimum of 1.75/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.5/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum overall CPGA of at least 2.8 (on a scale of 4).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of 3.0/5.0 or 2.8/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with a minimum second-class lower division or CAP 3.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors (honours) degree with a minimum second-class division 2.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum CGPA of at least 3.0/4.5 or 2.8/4.3 or B.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a minimum final mark of at least 2/4 or 6/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification can be in any subject. At least one year's prior experience in teaching or education is preferable but not essential.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

Advanced level (7.0 overall, including at least 6.5 in each component).

IELTS scores are valid for two years from the test date. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. Find out more about IELTS

We accept IELTS One Skills Retake.

We accept IELTS Online.

Check full details of our English Language requirements and find out more about some of the alternative English language qualifications listed below

Alternative English language qualifications

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa

Admissions information for applicants

Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced check

Yes. All candidates offered a place on the course will be required to satisfactorily complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly known as a CRB check), including a check of all cautions and warnings as well as convictions, before their place on the course is confirmed. International students will additionally be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

How to apply

You will be able to apply from November 2024.

Personal statement

Yes. You must submit a personal statement as part of your application.

Find out how to write a personal statement

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us

For details on any additional costs, check out the Fees and scholarships section.

Application deadlines

1 August 2025 (international), 1 September 2025 (UK)

We strongly recommend an earlier application where possible, as some courses are in high demand and may close before the above dates. Find out more at How to apply for a Masters course

Apply now

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Modules

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests. This list gives you a flavour of our options, which are kept under review and may change, for example in response to student feedback or the latest research.

While it’s our aim for students to take their preferred combinations of options, this can’t be guaranteed and will be subject to timetabling. Options may be grouped and if so, students will be able to choose a set number of options from the selection available in any particular group.

Spring teaching

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

We’ll do our best to provide as much optional choice as we can, but timetabling constraints mean it may not be possible to take some module combinations. The structure of a small number of courses means that the order of modules or the streams you choose may determine whether modules are core or optional. This means that your core modules or options may differ from what’s shown here.

American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

If you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement/internship in the USA if the number of credits for the placement/internship exceeds 25% of the total credits for your course. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

Apply now

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Our experts

This course draws on the experience and expertise of active, experienced researchers and teacher educators to deliver content firmly grounded in practical experience.”Jacqueline Young
Director of Recruitment and Admissions (Education and Social Work)

Mrs Deborah Brown

Associate Professor in Primary and Early Years Education

View profile of Deborah Brown

Mrs Fliss Bull

Assistant Professor in Primary Education

View profile of Fliss Bull

Ms Gillian Emerson

Assistant Professor in Primary and Early Years Education

View profile of Gillian Emerson

Dr Christina Hancock

Associate Professor in Primary Education

View profile of Christina Hancock

Miss Tamzin Nobes

Assistant Professor in Primary and Early Years Education

View profile of Tamzin Nobes

Mrs Hayley Preston-Smith

Assistant Professor in Primary and Early Years Education

View profile of Hayley Preston-Smith

Mr Rob Snow

Assistant Professor in Primary Education

View profile of Rob Snow

Mrs Jacqueline Young

Associate Professor in Education

View profile of Jacqueline Young

Apply now

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Fees and scholarships

How much does it cost?

Fees

Home students:: £11,025 per year for full-time students
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:: £11,025 per year for full-time students
International students:: £22,575 per year for full-time students

If you’re a self-funded international student, you’re required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more about Masters tuition fee deposits

Additional costs

Note about additional costs

Please note that all costs are best estimates based on current market values. Activities may be subject to unavoidable change in response to Government advice. We’ll let you know at the earliest opportunity. We review estimates every year and they may vary with inflation. Find out how to budget for student life.

DBS check and health assessment

When you register at Sussex, you’re charged fees for mandatory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and health assessments. If you get a bursary, you pay for your DBS, it costs around £40. You also pay for your health assessment which costs between £6 to £90 though this may vary if, for example, clinical supervision is required. If you don’t get a bursary, DBS and health assessments are subsidised.

Criminal record certificate

International students will be required to obtain a recent criminal record certificate from their home country. A list of admissible certificates can be found on the UK Government website: Criminal records checks for overseas applicants

Travel to and from placements

This course has mandatory placements. You will need to pay travel costs for 16 placement days.

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

Find out about our terms and conditions

How can I fund my course?

Scholarships

Our goal is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to regardless of financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique people.

Working while you study

Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

Apply now

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Careers

91%

of Sussex postgraduates have completed work experience by the end of their course (University of Sussex Career Readiness data at point of graduation 2023/24)

You deepen your knowledge and understanding of educational theory and practice, and develop your skills in:

research and analysis
presentation and communication
critical reflection.

With these skills you’ll have a wide range of educational careers open to you – nationally and internationally.

The terrain of Early Years educational provision is fast changing. This Masters course has been designed to equip you with all the necessary skills and dispositions to lead in this sector as a practitioner or manager. It is also an excellent step towards Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS) or Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) training. Or you may choose to pursue doctoral-level study in any academic discipline or profession concerned with early years education.

This course not only enlightened my understanding of early years education, but also provided knowledge that keeps a good balance between practice and teaching which is useful and effective in my real work.”Junting Liang
Early Years MA graduate
Early Years Practitioner

Design your future at Sussex

Taking the next step in your career can feel daunting, but we’ll help you to explore, connect and flourish throughout your studies and beyond.

As a Sussex student, you’ll learn how to tackle real-world challenges and have access to tailored programmes of careers support:

our Career Lab helps you to explore your options, build key skills and connect with employers. Take part in internships, community consultancy projects and insight visits, where you can learn about life at organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Gatwick Airport and the Knepp Rewilding Project
one-to-one coaching with your Faculty Careers Consultant can enable you to identify your career goals, write an effective CV and prepare for future interviews
entrepreneurship initiatives like StartUp Sussex and Ideas Lab can empower you to turn your concepts into reality.

Explore how our Careers and Entrepreneurship team can support you

Winner
Supporting Student and Graduate Employability Award
AGCAS Awards for Excellence 2024

Winner
Entrepreneurship Catalyst Award
National Enterprise Educator Awards 2024

Apply now

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Early Years Education MA

Key information

Postgraduate Teacher Training Information Events

Entry requirements

Argentina

Australia

Azerbaijan

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Brazil

Brunei

Canada

Chile

China

Colombia

Cyprus

Denmark

Ecuador

Egypt

France

Germany

Ghana

Greece

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

Iran

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Kuwait

Lebanon

Malawi

Malaysia

Mexico

Nepal

Nigeria

Norway

Oman

Pakistan

Palestine

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Qatar

Russia

Saudi Arabia

Singapore

South Africa

South Korea

Spain

Sri Lanka

Switzerland

Taiwan

Thailand

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

USA

Uzbekistan

Vietnam

Zambia

Zimbabwe

My country is not listed

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

Duolingo English test

LanguageCert Academic SELT

LanguageCert International ESOL SELT

Pearson (PTE Academic)

TOEFL (iBT)

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

GCE O-level

GCSE or IGCSE