In brief
- Six levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 according to the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which is standardised for all foreign languages.
- Three classic levels: A — basic user, B — independent user, C — proficient user.
- Courses and textbooks: Terms such as ‘Beginner’, ‘Intermediate’ or ‘Advanced’ are used by language schools and do not appear in the CEFR scale; schools map them to the scale in different ways.
- Self-assessment: You can assess your own skills without registering, using the Europass table to rate each of the five core skills separately.
- Legal requirements: Ukrainian Law No. 3760-IX makes English compulsory for a number of public sector posts and provides for a 10 per cent salary bonus for level B2 (this provision will come into effect once martial law has been lifted).
How many levels of English are there and who established them?
The levels of English usually stated in CVs and job vacancies are determined according to the CEFR scale (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages — the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
The scale comprises six levels — from A1 (the lowest) to C2 (the highest) — and is universally applicable for assessing any language.
| Group | Levels | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| Basic User (basic user) | A1, A2 | Communication in simple everyday situations |
| Independent User (independent user) | B1, B2 | Working independently with the language on familiar and professional topics |
| Proficient User (proficient user) | C1, C2 | Fluency and accuracy, particularly for academic and professional purposes |
The description of the levels below is an adapted translation of the Council of Europe’s general scale (European Language Portfolio — Global scale).
What a person can do at each level: Table A1–C2
| Level | What a person can do according to the CEFR scale |
|---|---|
| A1 | Understands and uses familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Can introduce themselves and others, and answer simple questions about themselves. Can communicate provided the other person speaks slowly, clearly and is willing to help. |
| A2 | Understands individual sentences and common expressions on familiar topics (family, shopping, local area, work). Can communicate in simple, routine situations and describe themselves and their surroundings in simple terms. |
| B1 | Understands the main points of clear, standard speech on familiar topics (work, study, leisure). Feels confident in most situations whilst travelling. Produces simple, coherent text; describes personal experiences, events and plans; and briefly justifies their opinion. |
| B2 | Understands the main ideas of complex texts on concrete and abstract topics, including specialist discussions within their field. Communicates with native speakers fluently and naturally. Produces clear and detailed texts, presenting arguments for and against a given position. |
| C1 | Understands long, complex texts and their implied meaning (subtext). Speaks freely and spontaneously, without having to search for words. Uses the language flexibly and effectively in social, academic and professional contexts. |
| C2 | Understands practically everything heard or read with ease. Summarises information from a variety of spoken and written sources. Expresses themselves spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, distinguishing the finest nuances of meaning. |
The CEFR scale describes practical skills, rather than the size of one’s vocabulary or the number of hours spent listening.
Which level is higher: A1 or A2, B1 or B2
Within each group, the second level is higher than the first: A2 is higher than A1, B2 is higher than B1, and C2 is higher than C1. The general order is: A1 → A2 → B1 → B2 → C1 → C2.
Although B1 and B2 belong to the same group (‘independent user’), the difference between them is significant in terms of career prospects:
At B1 level, you can confidently navigate familiar work-related topics.
At B2 level, you are able to hold professional discussions and communicate freely with foreign colleagues or native speakers.
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced: why the names do not match
The terms Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, Upper-Intermediate, Advanced, Proficiency were created for the convenience of course and textbook developers. There is no official table showing an exact correspondence between them and the CEFR scale.
Consequently, language schools may map them in different ways:
Approach 1: A1 — Beginner, A2 — Elementary.
Approach 2: Beginner — pre-A1, Elementary — A1, Pre-Intermediate — A2.
In your CV and during interviews, always state the CEFR code (for example, B2), rather than the name of the course you have completed.
How to determine your level without registering
The European Union’s official Europass portal offers a self-assessment table covering five separate language skills:
Listening (comprehension)
Reading
Speaking (conversation)
Speaking (monologue, presentation)
Writing
Self-assessment guide:
View a detailed description of the Europass levels on the website europass.europa.eu.
For each of the 5 skills, find the level whose requirements you fully meet.
If your skills differ (for example, reading — B2, and speaking — B1), list them separately — this is the most honest and detailed approach for an employer.
Test yourself in practice: read a specialist article, write a business letter or have a short conversation.
CEFR and IELTS levels: why there is no exact correspondence
The IELTS test is not a proficiency-based exam (it merely assesses your level on a scale from 1.0 to 9.0), so there is no exact correspondence with the CEFR. Official guidelines from ielts.org:
| IELTS score | CEFR level according to ielts.org |
|---|---|
| 5 | on the borderline between B1 and B2 |
| 6.5–7 | the C1 threshold lies between these scores |
| 8 | on the borderline |
| 8.5 and above | C2 |
English proficiency at school and in the National Multidisciplinary Test
According to data from the Ukrainian Centre for Educational Quality Assessment and the State Standard for Specialised Secondary Education:
A graduate of a standard general secondary school (Year 11) must have a command of the language at B1 level.
A graduate of a specialised school or a specialised class must have a level of B2.
The tasks in the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) in a foreign language correspond to level B1.
Where English is compulsory: Law of Ukraine No. 3760-IX
The Law of Ukraine ‘On the Use of the English Language in Ukraine’ No. 3760-IX of 4 June 2024 officially establishes the language proficiency requirements for the civil service in accordance with the CEFR scale.
For whom English is compulsory:
Civil servants in categories ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ (as listed by the Cabinet of Ministers);
Heads of local state administrations and their deputies;
Contract officers and sergeants;
Mid-ranking and senior police officers, prosecutors, and staff of tax and customs authorities;
Heads of state-owned enterprises, research institutions and higher education establishments.
What level will be required
| Category of posts | Minimum level | Entry into force of the regulations |
|---|---|---|
| Category ‘A’, heads of regional state administrations | Not lower than B1 (CMU Resolution No. 415) | Two years after the lifting of martial law |
| Other posts (police, State Enterprise, university rectors) | B1 or B2 (CMU Resolution No. 425) | Four years after the lifting of martial law |
A 10 per cent allowance for B2 and the state examination
In accordance with Part 6 of Article 4 of Law No. 3760-IX and CMU Resolution No. 368, employees who have demonstrated a level of English proficiency of at least B2 are entitled to a monthly allowance amounting to 10 per cent of their basic salary.
The provision regarding the payment of the allowance will come into effect immediately following the termination or lifting of martial law.
It will be possible to confirm one’s proficiency level for government purposes by sitting a special state examination. Candidates are permitted to retake the exam an unlimited number of times, but no more frequently than once every four months.
How to correctly state your level of English on your CV
Use the CEFR standard: Write ‘English — B2’, rather than simply ‘Upper-Intermediate’.
Specify individual skills: Indicate differences according to the Europass framework (for example: reading and writing — B2, speaking — B1).
State your exact test scores: If you have taken a certified test, state the score itself (for example: IELTS – 6.5).
Examples of correct entries on a CV:
Option 1: Languages: Ukrainian — native; English — B2 (CEFR, self-assessment on the Europass scale).
Option 2: English: reading and writing — B2, speaking — B1 (CEFR). IELTS certificate — 6.5.
Job vacancies on Injobe
There are 38 active vacancies on Injobe, of which 42.1 per cent are remote. You can view all vacancies in the job catalogue.
