Cambridge English

What Cambridge English does

Cambridge English is a not-for-profit division of Cambridge University Press & Assessment, itself part of the University of Cambridge, providing English language assessment and qualifications to learners, teachers, and institutions worldwide. Its core portfolio includes the Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQs) mapped to CEFR levels A2 through C2, the AI-powered computer-adaptive Linguaskill test for institutional and employer use, the Cambridge English Scale as a unified scoring framework, and the teaching credentials CELTA, DELTA, and TKT. It co-owns IELTS with the British Council and IDP Education, which is recognised by 25,000+ organisations globally, and also offers the Occupational English Test (OET) for healthcare professionals and the Michigan English Test (MET) via a joint venture.

Name

Cambridge English

Legal name

Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Website

https://cambridgeenglish.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1913

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Cambridge English is a not-for-profit division of Cambridge University Press & Assessment providing English language assessments, AI-powered testing, and teaching qualifications to higher education institutions, employers, governments, and learners across 130+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

English Language Assessment

NAICS

Language Schools (61163), Educational Support Services (61171), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

English Proficiency & International Admissions Exams (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE/Duolingo) Prep (EDANABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Teacher Training & Language Teaching Certifications (e.g., CELTA/DELTA) (EDAIAEAI), Exam Preparation Materials (IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAGAHAE), English Test Preparation (IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo English Test, etc.) (EDAAACAJ)

Keywords

• English language assessment
• Language proficiency testing
• Teacher training qualifications
• Standardised examinations
• CEFR-aligned certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Examination fees: Revenue generated from test fees paid by individual candidates and institutions for Cambridge English Qualifications, IELTS, and Linguaskill assessments. Exam fees are charged per test sitting.
2. Teaching qualification programmes: Revenue from CELTA and other teacher training qualifications delivered through authorized centres worldwide. Fees charged per participant for certification programmes.
3. Learning materials and resources: Sale of official Cambridge English learning materials, preparation books, and digital resources for learners and teachers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cambridge English provides standardized English language assessments and qualifications for learners, teachers, employers, and governments worldwide. Its core offering includes the Cambridge English Qualifications suite (A2 Key through C2 Proficiency), the AI-powered Linguaskill test, and co-ownership of IELTS, delivered through a global network of 50,000+ authorized preparation centres and 2,800+ teaching qualification centres. The organization also issues teaching qualifications such as CELTA, DELTA, and TKT, supported by research-based assessment methodologies aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

Product overview

Cambridge English offers a comprehensive portfolio of English language learning and assessment products organised as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQs) - in-depth exams mapped to CEFR levels from A2 Key through C2 Proficiency, available in general, schools, young learners, and business versions. Linguaskill provides fast, AI-powered computer-adaptive online testing from B1-C2. IELTS is the globally recognised multilevel English proficiency test. Teaching qualifications include CELTA, DELTA, and TKT for teacher development. The Cambridge English Scale serves as the unified scoring framework across all products. The portfolio also includes the Results Verification Service with API integration for institutional verification, and the Cambridge Teacher's Hub for educator professional development. Over 5 million Cambridge English exams are taken annually in 130 countries, accepted by over 25,000 universities, employers, and governments worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Linguaskill: A fast, online, AI-powered English language test from B1 to C2 CEFR level for education institutions and organizations.
• Cambridge English Qualifications
• CELTA
• DELTA
• TKT
• Cambridge Teacher's Hub

Products and services

• Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQs) In-depth English language qualifications mapped to CEFR levels (A1-C2), designed for learners, schools, and professionals. The suite includes general, schools, young learners, and business versions such as A2 Key, B1 Preliminary, B2 First, C1 Advanced, and C2 Proficiency.
• Linguaskill Fast, online, AI-powered computer-adaptive English language test providing certification from B1 to C2 CEFR level. Modular format covering speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills with results available within 48 hours. Targeted at education institutions and organizations.
• Linguaskill Business Business English version of Linguaskill that tests workplace English communication skills for employers and professional contexts.
• IELTS International English Language Testing System - a multilevel exam identifying English proficiency from non-user to expert level, with Academic and General Training options for study, work, and migration purposes. Co-owned by Cambridge English, British Council, and IDP Education.
• CELTA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults - initial teaching qualification providing essential skills, knowledge and hands-on teaching experience for new teachers. Delivered through 2,800+ authorized teaching qualification centres worldwide.
• DELTA Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages - advanced professional development qualification for experienced teachers with at least one year of teaching experience.
• TKT Teaching Knowledge Test - flexible modular teaching qualifications series demonstrating developing teaching knowledge with globally recognised certificates.
• Occupational English Test (OET) English language test for healthcare professionals requiring proof of English proficiency for registration and professional purposes.
• Michigan English Test (MET) English language proficiency test offered in partnership with Michigan Language Assessment.
• Cambridge English Skills Test Computer-adaptive English language skills test available for schools, general, and business contexts.
• Results Verification Service (RVS) Free online service enabling universities, employers, and governments to verify the authenticity of Cambridge English exam results, with API integration capabilities for institutional systems.
• Cambridge Teacher's Hub Structured platform for continuous professional development of educators, delivered at the Cambridge English Leadership Summit in April 2026.
• Cambridge English Qualifications for Young Learners English assessments for young learners comprising Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers, and A2 Flyers exams, designed for primary school students.

Quantifiable outcome

• Recognized by 25,000+ organizations in 130+ countries
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

AI capability6 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• OECD/PISAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambridge English serves as the official English-language assessment partner for the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), contributing to international education benchmarking and research.
• Council of EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal institutional relationship supporting the development and recognition of language standards aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
• ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambridge English is a founding member of ALTE, an association of European language test developers working to establish quality standards for language assessment.
• English ProfilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch programme that investigates how English is learned and used by speakers of different first languages, providing detailed descriptions of English at each CEFR level.
• SurveyLangcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Survey on Language Competences consortium focused on measuring foreign language proficiency across European education systems.
• International HousemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational House moderates IH CAM and IH CYLT (Certificate in Young Learners and Teenagers) courses, expanding the reach of Cambridge English teacher training qualifications through a global network of language schools.
• English AustraliamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the Action Research programme, providing professional development opportunities for English language teachers in Australia.
• English UKmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership supporting the Action Research Scheme, providing continuing professional development for English language teachers in the UK.
• British CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of IELTS alongside Cambridge English and IDP Education. Global partnership for the delivery and recognition of the world's most recognized English language test.
• IDP EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-owner of IELTS alongside Cambridge English and British Council. IDP operates a global network of test centres for IELTS delivery.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• British Council: Co-owner of IELTS alongside Cambridge English and IDP Education; also delivers English language teaching and other English proficiency tests globally. Directly comparable as a UK-headquartered English assessment and teaching organization with overlapping institutional channels.
• IDP Education: Co-owner of IELTS and operator of a global test centre network, primarily focused on international student placement. Highly comparable given shared IELTS revenue economics and overlapping customer base of international students and migration candidates.
• Educational Testing Service (ETS): US-based non-profit that develops and delivers TOEFL, TOEIC, and other standardized assessments. Directly competes with Cambridge English/IELTS in English proficiency testing for study and migration, serving similar higher education and institutional customers.
• Trinity College London: UK-based awarding body offering ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) qualifications and TESOL teaching certificates that compete directly with Cambridge English Qualifications and CELTA/DELTA. Comparable in assessment portfolio, teacher training credentials, and international recognition.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson: Global education and assessment company that operates PTE Academic, a direct competitor to IELTS and Linguaskill for English proficiency. Comparable in English assessment plus broader assessment portfolio (e.g., Pearson Test of English, Versant) and institutional sales motion.
• EF Education First: Global private education company offering English language courses, study abroad, and its own English assessment products. Comparable in English language teaching and assessment serving individual learners and institutions, though it operates more as a school network than a testing specialist.
• Kaplan International: Operates English language schools worldwide and offers English test preparation. Comparable as a global English language education provider serving international students, though it is a broader incumbent in language training rather than a pure assessment specialist.

Emerging players

• Duolingo: Operates the Duolingo English Test, an AI-scored, at-home English proficiency test with rapidly growing institutional acceptance. Comparable as a fast-growing, digital-first disruptor targeting the same test-taker population with a fundamentally lower-cost delivery model.
• Language Testing International (LTI): US-based provider of language proficiency tests (ACTFL assessments) serving corporate, government, and academic clients. Comparable as a niche, digital-forward language assessment player targeting enterprise and institutional customers with similar use cases to Linguaskill.

Others

• Oxford University Press (ELT division): Publishes English Language Teaching (ELT) materials and teacher resources that overlap with Cambridge English's learning materials portfolio. Comparable as a content and curriculum provider feeding the same ecosystem of learners, teachers, and institutions, but not a direct assessment competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat8 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambridge-assessment-english
• Xx.com/CambridgeEng

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cambridge English