What is the CEFR?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages describes language ability on six levels, from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Universities, employers and immigration authorities often state their English requirement as a CEFR level, so it is useful to know how your IELTS score compares.
How IELTS maps to the CEFR
| CEFR level | IELTS band |
|---|---|
| C2 | 8.5 – 9.0 |
| C1 | 7.0 – 8.0 |
| B2 | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| B1 | 4.0 – 5.0 |
This follows the alignment published by IELTS (IELTS and the CEFR). IELTS does not describe levels below B1 in detail, so scores under 4.0 are shown here as A2 or below.
Worked example
A university asks for CEFR B2. Using the table, that means an IELTS band of 5.5 to 6.5; most universities set their exact figure (often 6.0 or 6.5) in their own entry requirements. If you are aiming for a programme that asks for C1, plan for an overall 7.0.
Boundary scores
Bands 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0 sit right at the edges of CEFR levels. If your score is on a boundary, check the exact IELTS number the organisation requires rather than relying on the CEFR label alone. To see how your section scores combine into one overall band, try the band score calculator.