If you are working toward English proficiency, you have probably encountered three different types of credentials: an English language certificate from an accredited school, the TOEFL exam, and the IELTS exam. They all relate to English ability, but they are not interchangeable. They serve different purposes, they are accepted in different contexts, and the process of earning each one is completely different.
This guide explains what each credential actually is, who needs it, and how to decide which one makes sense for your situation.
What Each Credential Is
Before comparing them, it helps to understand what each credential represents at a fundamental level.
An English Language Certificate from an accredited school is a document issued by an English language institution that certifies you completed a program of study. The value of the certificate depends entirely on the school that issues it. A certificate from a CEA-accredited school carries significant weight because an independent national accrediting body has verified that the program meets recognized standards for curriculum, instruction, and student support. A certificate from an unaccredited school has little standing because no external party has verified the quality of the program.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). It is a timed, scored examination that measures your ability to use English in academic settings, specifically listening, reading, speaking, and writing. TOEFL produces a numeric score, and institutions that accept it have minimum score thresholds you must meet. The test is taken at an authorized testing center or online, and your scores are sent directly to institutions.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a standardized test developed jointly by the British Council, IDP Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. Like TOEFL, it measures English proficiency across four skills. IELTS produces a band score from 0 to 9. There are two versions: IELTS Academic (for university admission and professional registration) and IELTS General Training (for immigration and workplace purposes). IELTS is widely accepted in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, and increasingly in the United States.
Who Needs TOEFL
TOEFL is primarily used for academic admissions in the United States.
Undergraduate and graduate university applicants are the main audience for TOEFL. Most US universities require non-native English speakers to submit TOEFL scores as part of the admissions process. Each program sets its own minimum score, typically ranging from 61 to 100 on the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) depending on the institution and program.
Graduate and professional school applicants often need TOEFL specifically because their programs use it as a standard. Law schools, medical schools, and business schools may require TOEFL scores even when the undergraduate institution does not.
Some professional licensing bodies in the United States require TOEFL scores for foreign-trained professionals seeking licensure in fields like healthcare, engineering, or education.
If your goal is admission to a US college or university and you are a non-native English speaker, TOEFL is usually the first credential to research. However, note that some universities will waive the TOEFL requirement for students who have completed a certain number of credit hours at a CEA-accredited English program, so your path may involve both.
Who Needs IELTS
IELTS serves a broader international range of purposes.
Students applying to UK, Australian, Canadian, or New Zealand universities typically need IELTS rather than TOEFL. These countries have historically preferred IELTS, and their institutions are built around the IELTS band score system.
Immigration applicants in Canada, Australia, and the UK frequently need IELTS General Training as part of their visa or permanent residency application. Canadian immigration programs like Express Entry specify minimum IELTS scores for language ability documentation.
Some US university programs now accept either TOEFL or IELTS, and this is becoming more common. If you are deciding which test to take for US university admission, it is worth checking whether your target school accepts IELTS, as many students find it more suitable for their background.
Healthcare professionals seeking registration in Australia, Canada, or the UK typically need IELTS, often at a high band score of 7.0 or above.
Who Needs an English Language Certificate from an Accredited School
An English language certificate from an accredited institution serves a different population with different goals, and it is the right credential in more situations than many people realize.
Adults who are building English for work and daily life do not need a standardized test score. They need documented proof that they have studied English in a credible program and achieved a recognized level of proficiency. An accredited certificate serves this purpose well and is accepted by many employers, government agencies, and social services organizations.
Immigrants and permanent residents who are not pursuing university admission often need to show English proficiency for employment, citizenship applications, or community integration. A certificate from a CEA-accredited school is recognized documentation of that proficiency.
Working adults seeking advancement who need to demonstrate English ability to a current or prospective employer will find that a certificate from an accredited institution is exactly what is required. Many employers are specifically looking for documented coursework from a recognized program, not a standardized test designed for academic admissions.
F1 international students enrolled in an ESL program at a SEVP-certified school are in a category of their own. Their enrollment itself is the documented credential for visa purposes, and completing the program produces a certificate from an accredited institution. UCEDA’s F1 student program is designed specifically for this pathway.
Students building toward TOEFL or IELTS often use an accredited English program as preparation. Completing a structured, CEA-accredited English curriculum builds the foundational skills that translate into higher scores on standardized tests.
Key Differences: Cost, Format, Validity, and Recognition
Understanding the practical differences between these credentials helps you make the right choice.
Cost. TOEFL iBT currently costs approximately $220 to $235 per attempt in the United States, and many test-takers sit the exam more than once. IELTS costs approximately $215 to $255 per attempt as well. An accredited English program involves tuition over weeks or months, but you are gaining actual language skills and instruction, not just taking a test. The certificate is issued upon completion of the program.
Format. TOEFL and IELTS are single-day, timed examinations with standardized questions. An accredited English program is a multi-week or multi-month course of study with instruction, practice, feedback, and progressive skill development. The process of earning the certificate is itself educational in a way that test preparation is not.
Validity period. TOEFL and IELTS scores are typically valid for two years. After that, institutions may require you to retest. An English language certificate from an accredited school does not expire. It documents that you completed the program at a specific level, and that record remains valid indefinitely.
What employers recognize. For workplace purposes, a certificate from a CEA-accredited school is generally more useful than a TOEFL or IELTS score, because those tests are designed for academic admissions, not employment documentation. Many employers are not familiar with how to interpret a TOEFL score but understand clearly what a certificate from an accredited English school means.
What universities recognize. For academic admissions, TOEFL and IELTS are the standard. However, some US universities accept a certificate from a CEA-accredited program, especially when accompanied by a transcript showing the level completed. Always check the specific admission requirements of any university you are applying to.
UCEDA’s English Language Certificate: What It Is and When It Is the Right Choice
UCEDA School’s English Language Certificate Program is built around a three-level curriculum, Basic (CEFR A1-A2), Intermediate (CEFR B1-B2), and Advanced (CEFR C1-C2), that follows CEA accreditation standards for curriculum quality, faculty qualifications, and student support.
When you complete a level at UCEDA, you receive a certificate from a CEA-accredited institution. That accreditation means an independent national body has reviewed and verified the quality of the program you completed. Your certificate is not just a piece of paper from a school making claims about itself. It is documentation that an externally validated program has certified your English proficiency at a specific level.
The UCEDA certificate is the right choice if you are an adult learner building English for work and daily life, an immigrant or permanent resident who needs recognized documentation of English ability, an F1 student completing a structured ESL program in the United States, or a Spanish speaker who benefits from the bilingual support that UCEDA’s programs for Spanish speakers provide.
UCEDA has campuses in Provo, Utah, Las Vegas, Nevada, and West Palm Beach, Florida, with new classes starting every Monday. View all UCEDA campuses to find the location closest to you.
Frequently Asked Questions: English Certificates, TOEFL, and IELTS
Can I use an English language certificate instead of TOEFL for university admission?
It depends on the university. Some US universities accept a certificate from a CEA-accredited school in place of TOEFL scores, particularly for conditional admission or English language requirements. You must check the specific requirements of each school you are applying to. Many universities now list acceptable alternatives to TOEFL on their admissions pages.
Is TOEFL or IELTS better?
Neither is universally better. TOEFL is more widely accepted at US universities, while IELTS is preferred for immigration and university admission in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Some US universities now accept both. If you are applying to schools in multiple countries, IELTS may be the more versatile option. If you are applying only in the United States, TOEFL is often the safer choice.
How long does it take to prepare for the TOEFL?
Preparation time varies significantly based on your current English level. Students at a B2 level often need two to three months of focused preparation to achieve competitive scores. Students at lower levels may need to complete a full English program first. Completing UCEDA’s Advanced level before sitting the TOEFL is a practical and common approach.
Do TOEFL and IELTS scores expire?
Yes. Both TOEFL and IELTS scores are typically considered valid for two years. If you need to resubmit scores after that period, you must retake the test. An English language certificate from an accredited school does not expire.
Can my employer ask for a TOEFL score?
Employers can set their own requirements, but most employers in the United States do not require TOEFL scores for job applicants. For workplace purposes, a certificate from a CEA-accredited English school is generally the more appropriate and recognized credential.
What is CEFR and why does it matter?
CEFR stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is an internationally recognized scale for describing language proficiency from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). UCEDA’s program levels correspond to CEFR levels, which means your certificate communicates a universally understood proficiency level to employers and institutions worldwide.
I already speak some English. Do I need to start at the beginning at UCEDA?
No. UCEDA places new students at the appropriate level based on an assessment of their current English ability. You enter at the level that matches where you are, not at the beginning.
Choose the Credential That Matches Your Goal
The right credential depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
If you are applying to a US college or university, research TOEFL requirements for your target programs. If you are applying in the UK, Australia, or Canada, look at IELTS. If you are building English proficiency for work, immigration, or daily life in the United States, a certificate from a CEA-accredited school like UCEDA is the most directly relevant credential you can earn.
Many learners combine these pathways: they complete a structured English program to build their skills, earn a certificate, and then sit the TOEFL or IELTS from a much stronger foundation.
Explore UCEDA’s English programs to find the level that fits where you are now. You can also contact us with any questions about which credential makes sense for your goals. When you are ready, enroll here. New classes start every Monday.