Skip to content
Estudyquals
Student login
Menu

English Exams

SCQF-aligned ESOL

Explore English for everyday life, study and work. Find your CEFR level and see how the pathway develops listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Explore A1–C2Ask about placement
An adult learner writing at an exam desk

Find your English level

Use these examples to find a starting point. If you’re between levels, ask about placement.

CEFR A1

Everyday essentials

Practise introductions, simple requests and personal details. Listen for names and numbers, read short notices and fill in basic forms.

Explore A1

CEFR A2

Routine exchanges

Practise making appointments and asking for travel information. Find key details in brief announcements and write short notes about everyday plans.

Explore A2

CEFR B1

Independent communication

Practise following straightforward workplace or study instructions, explaining an experience and supporting a simple opinion in conversation or connected paragraphs.

Explore B1

CEFR B2

Sustained discussion

Practise following longer arguments, comparing options and explaining a position. Work on clear organisation, inference and the tone of longer spoken and written responses.

Explore B2

CEFR C1

Advanced communication

Practise identifying a speaker’s stance, organising complex ideas and adapting tone for academic or professional audiences. Explain and defend a position when challenged.

Explore C1

CEFR C2

Precision and synthesis

Practise identifying subtle differences in meaning, synthesising competing accounts and presenting a precise argument in speech and writing.

Explore C2
Compare study hours and assessment

How CEFR and SCQF relate

CEFR levels A1 to C2 describe what you can do in English. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework describes the level of learning and, where applicable, its credit value.

Before booking, ask for the exact qualification title, awarding organisation, assessment format and any SCQF level or credits that apply. If you need a result for a specific purpose, ask the receiving organisation which exam and score it accepts.

Need help choosing an exam?

Tell us what you need English for and when you need your result. We can help you compare options and check current sessions.

Ask about an examCompare English exam routes

Published information

SCQF ESOL Awards

The SCQF ESOL Awards are English language qualifications designed for non-native speakers of English who want to improve their language skills for work, study, or everyday life in the UK. These awards assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through structured levels that reflect real-world communication.

What is the SCQF?

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is Scotland’s national system for describing and comparing qualifications. It helps learners understand:

  • the level of the qualification
  • the credit value (amount of learning)
  • how qualifications compare across schools, colleges, universities, and work-based learning

Awarding Body

SCQF ESOL Awards are delivered and accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), Scotland’s national awarding body. SQA ensures that all ESOL qualifications meet national quality standards.

Purpose of the ESOL Awards

These qualifications support learners who want to:

  • improve English for living and working in the UK
  • gain entry into further education or training
  • prepare for college or vocational programmes
  • communicate more confidently in daily life

Progression

Learners who complete an SCQF ESOL Award can progress to:

  • higher SCQF ESOL levels
  • college courses
  • vocational qualifications
  • employment requiring English language skills

© Estudyquals. All rights reserved.