Why get qualified?
To succeed in international business and commerce, you need more than a good knowledge of general English and if you can show that you have relevant language skills, you will have a greater advantage in the job market. Internationally recognised and tailored to suit career improvement goals, the Cambridge ESOL Business English Certificates (BEC) assess English language in a working environment.
Levels
BEC is available at three levels:
Choose an examination that matches your level of skills and professional needs.
All three levels of BEC are clearly linked to the Common European Framework for language assessment, published by the Council of Europe:
Council of Europe Level
BEC Exams
Main Suite Exams
B1
Preliminary
PET
B2
Vantage
FCE
C1
Higher
CAE
2012 Examination and registration dates
Certificate Examination Dates Registration datesPlease note: We may be able to offer additional sessions subject to a minimum number of candidates registering. Please contact us for further information.
Oral interviews
Oral interviews will take place between 1 and 11 June 2012 for the June exams and between 9 and 19 November 2012 for the November/December exams. The exact date and time will be shown on each candidate's personal timetable.
Candidates with special needs
In co-operation with Cambridge ESOL, we provide a Special Arrangements Service for candidates with hearing, speech, visual and kinetic difficulties, as well as for candidates with learning difficulties such as dyslexia. We also make special arrangements for candidates who have sustained accident-related injuries, such as a broken arm, prior to the day of the exam. Download our Information Sheet for Special Needs Candidates (PDF, 18 KB) for details of how to apply for Special Arrangements.
The file can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat. If you do not have this already installed on your computer, a free copy can be downloaded from the Adobe website.
2012 Examination fees
CertificateFees
BEC Preliminary€120
BEC Vantage€181
BEC Higher€195
Transfer fee
If you want to transfer to a different examination centre, please submit your request in writing as far in advance as possible. The transfer fee is €25.
Change of interview fee
If you need to change the date or time of your interview, please submit your request in writing as far in advance as possible. In most cases an administrative fee of €15 will be charged. If you are ill and have a medical certificate issued by a state hospital, you will not need to pay this fee.
Refund Policy
We are able to refund 75% of your examination fee for medical reasons only. Appropriate medical evidence (from a state hospital, IKA, TEBE etc) and your timetable must be submitted to the British Council no later than two weeks after the date of the written examinations.
How to register
Please follow the instructions below exactly to complete your registration successfully.
By direct deposit to the British Council account at Alpha Bank. You can do this at any Alpha Bank branch, via an ATM or via web banking through your own bank.
A full list of Alpha Bank branches, including branches operating in the afternoon and ATMs, can be found at www.alpha.gr.
Account number: 1150 0200 2018 908
IBAN: GR05 0140 1150 1150 0200 2018 908
Please note that we cannot accept postal orders, cash sent by post, or payment of fees at our offices.
To complete your registration, please submit the completed Application Form (individual candidates) or Block Entry Form (Foreign Language Centres) along with the bank deposit slip, bank cheque or personal cheque to the British Council as follows:
Candidates and Foreign Language Centres in Macedonia, Thrace and Thessaly should send the above documents by registered mail to our Thessaloniki office (see below for contact details).
Application form for individual candidates
If you are an individual candidate, you can print out and fill in the Application Form for Individual Candidates:
The form can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat. If you do not have this already installed on your computer, a free copy can be downloaded from the Adobe website.
Please note:
If you are a student at a Foreign Language Centre, your school will be responsible for your registration. If you are not sure whether you have been registered, please ask someone at your school to check.
Results
The results come out approximately 6 weeks after the end of each session. They are in the form of a statement of results. Passing candidates are awarded a certificate.
EXTENDED CERTIFICATION
From March 2011 Cambridge ESOL has introduced Extended Certification aimed at giving many candidates additional credit for the language skills they have demonstrated in a Cambridge ESOL examination. It also aims at helping universities, employers and other organisations obtain a clearer picture of how candidates' results relate to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
For further information, see:
Understanding your Statement of Results – Cambridge English: BEC Preliminary (PDF, 333 KB)
DOCUMENT SERVICES
If you wish to have your certificate certified and/or translated for use in the UK or in Greece, contact our Document Services.
Contact us
For further information, please contact us:
Athens
Customer Services
British Council
17 Kolonaki Square
106 73 Athens
Telephone 210 369 2333 & 801 500 3692*
Fax 210 363 0481
E-mail customerservices@britishcouncil.gr
Postal Address
Customer Services
British Council
PO Box 3488
102 10 Athens
Open the original version of this page.
Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.