Cambridge English to IELTS Converter
Find the approximate IELTS band equivalent of your CAE, FCE, CPE, or PET grade — and whether it meets university IELTS requirements.
Many universities list minimum IELTS requirements on their admissions pages, leaving Cambridge qualification holders wondering whether their certificate is equivalent. This converter maps Cambridge grades to approximate IELTS bands via the CEFR framework — the international scale both tests align to.
One important distinction: Cambridge qualifications never expire, while IELTS scores expire after 2 years. If you hold a Cambridge CAE from several years ago, your certificate is still valid — you do not need to retake to prove your English. Most UK universities that list IELTS requirements also accept Cambridge directly, so conversion is for reference; you submit your Cambridge certificate, not a converted IELTS score.
Cambridge English Grade to IELTS Band Comparison Table
All Cambridge exams and grades mapped to approximate IELTS equivalents via CEFR level. Level results (e.g. CAE Level B2) indicate performance below the exam target — no certificate is issued for these results.
| Exam | Grade | Certificate | CEFR | IELTS Equivalent | Descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPE | Grade A | Yes | C2 | 8.5–9.0 | Expert User |
| CPE | Grade B | Yes | C2 | 8.0–8.5 | Very Good User |
| CPE | Grade C | Yes | C2 | 7.5–8.0 | Very Good User |
| CPE | Level C1 | No | C1 | 7.0–7.5 | Good User |
| CAE | Grade A | Yes | C2 | 8.0–8.5 | Very Good User |
| CAE | Grade B | Yes | C1 | 7.5–8.0 | Good User |
| CAE | Grade C | Yes | C1 | 7.0–7.5 | Good User |
| CAE | Level B2 | No | B2 | 5.5–6.5 | Competent User |
| FCE | Grade A | Yes | C1 | 7.0–7.5 | Good User |
| FCE | Grade B | Yes | B2 | 6.0–6.5 | Competent User |
| FCE | Grade C | Yes | B2 | 5.5–6.0 | Competent User |
| FCE | Level B1 | No | B1 | 4.0–5.0 | Modest User |
| PET | Distinction | Yes | B1 | 4.5–5.0 | Modest User |
| PET | Merit | Yes | B1 | 4.0–4.5 | Modest User |
| PET | Pass | Yes | B1 | 4.0 | Modest User |
| PET | Level A2 | No | A2 | 3.0–3.5 | Limited User |
Conversion based on CEFR framework alignment — not a direct statistical linking study. Level results (e.g. FCE Level B1) may still be recognised by some institutions for the demonstrated CEFR level, but no certificate is awarded.
If You Have a Cambridge Qualification, Do You Need IELTS?
The answer depends on what you are applying for. Here are the most common scenarios for Cambridge qualification holders.
UK University Admission
Cambridge usually acceptedMost UK universities explicitly list Cambridge CAE and CPE as accepted alternatives to IELTS. If you hold CAE Grade C or above, you likely meet the language requirement for most UK universities without taking IELTS. FCE Grade A (C1 level) is also accepted by some institutions where CAE Grade C is the stated minimum. Always check the university's language requirements page.
US University Admission
IELTS or TOEFL likely requiredMost US universities require IELTS or TOEFL specifically. Cambridge qualifications are less commonly listed as accepted alternatives at US institutions. If applying to US universities, you will likely need to take IELTS or TOEFL in addition to Cambridge.
Australian University Admission
Often accepted — verify per universityAustralian universities increasingly accept Cambridge CAE and CPE alongside IELTS. Many Group of Eight universities list Cambridge as an accepted alternative. Check individual university language requirements to confirm.
UK Student Visa
IELTS UKVI required — Cambridge not acceptedCambridge English qualifications are NOT accepted for UK visa applications. The UK Home Office requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) — IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT. Even if your university accepts Cambridge for admissions, you will need IELTS UKVI separately for your visa.
Canadian Immigration (Express Entry)
IELTS required for Canadian PRIELTS is the primary English test for Canadian PR applications. Cambridge qualifications are not accepted for Express Entry language assessment. Students planning to remain in Canada after graduating must take IELTS for immigration purposes regardless of their Cambridge qualification.
UK Professional Registration
IELTS required for NMC, GMC, GPhCUK professional bodies (NMC for nursing, GMC for medicine, GPhC for pharmacy) require IELTS Academic or IELTS UKVI with specific per-skill minimums. Cambridge qualifications are not accepted for professional registration purposes.
European Study and Work
Cambridge often preferred in EuropeCambridge qualifications are widely recognized across Europe for employment and university admission, particularly CAE and CPE. Many European employers and institutions prefer Cambridge over IELTS because qualifications never expire — a key advantage for career-long use.
Cambridge Scale Score to IELTS Band Mapping
The Cambridge Scale (0–230) is a unified scoring system used across all Cambridge English Qualifications. If you have your overall Cambridge Scale score from your Statement of Results but not your grade label, use this table. The scale ranges for each exam overlap — for example, a score of 190 could be FCE Grade A or CAE Level B2, depending on which exam you sat.
| Cambridge Scale | Corresponds To | CEFR | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 220–230 | CPE Grade A | C2 | 8.5–9.0 |
| 213–219 | CPE Grade B | C2 | 8.0–8.5 |
| 200–212 | CPE Grade C / CAE Grade A | C2 | 7.5–8.0 |
| 193–199 | CAE Grade B | C1 | 7.5–8.0 |
| 180–192 | CAE Grade C / FCE Grade A | C1 | 7.0–7.5 |
| 173–179 | FCE Grade B | B2 | 6.5–7.0 |
| 160–172 | FCE Grade C | B2 | 6.0–6.5 |
| 140–159 | FCE Level B1 | B1 | 4.5–5.5 |
| 120–139 | PET Level A2 | A2 | 3.5–4.5 |
Cambridge English Never Expires — Unlike IELTS
One of the most significant practical differences between Cambridge qualifications and IELTS is validity. A CAE Grade C earned at university is still valid for job applications, immigration enquiries, or further study 10 or 20 years later — an IELTS score from the same sitting would have expired after 2 years.
| Feature | Cambridge English | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Expiry | Never expires | 2 years |
| Results speed | 2–3 weeks (CBT) | 3–5 days (CBT) |
| Accepted for UK visa | No | Yes (UKVI version) |
| Accepted for UK university | Yes (CAE/CPE) | Yes |
| Accepted for US university | Limited | Yes |
| Accepted for Canada PR | No | Yes |
| Permanent credential | Yes | No |
| Skill retake option | Not available | One Skill Retake (2023+) |
Permanent credential
Took CAE 5 years ago? Your certificate is still fully valid for university applications, employment, and professional purposes — no retake needed.
IELTS expiry risk
Took IELTS 3 years ago? That score has expired and cannot be sent to institutions. For recurring use cases — multiple applications, career moves — Cambridge offers a permanent advantage.
When IELTS is faster
For a current application with an imminent deadline, IELTS delivers results in 3–5 days (CBT) vs 2–3 weeks for Cambridge. Both are valid long-term — IELTS just requires periodic renewal.
How UK Universities Accept Cambridge English Qualifications
Universities do not convert Cambridge grades to IELTS bands internally. Instead, they maintain a direct list of accepted English qualifications. A typical UK university admissions page might state:
"We accept one of the following: IELTS 7.0 overall (no skill below 6.5) OR Cambridge CAE Grade C or above OR Cambridge CPE Grade C or above."
This means if you hold CAE Grade C, you meet the requirement directly — there is no need to calculate an IELTS equivalent. The conversion on this page is most useful for estimating your standing against IELTS benchmarks in general guidance and deciding whether to take IELTS or Cambridge if you are yet to sit either test.
| University | Accepted Cambridge Qual | Min Grade | IELTS Equiv |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~7.0–7.5 |
| University of Cambridge | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~7.0–7.5 |
| Imperial College London | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~6.5–7.0 |
| UCL | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~7.0 |
| LSE | CAE | Grade B | ~7.0 |
| King's College London | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~7.0 |
| University of Edinburgh | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~6.5 |
| University of Manchester | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~6.5 |
| University of Bristol | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~6.5 |
| Durham University | CAE or CPE | Grade C | ~6.5 |