Education Level Keys
| DEGREE LEVEL | AVERAGE COMPLETION TIME (FULL-TIME) | COMMON PREREQUISITE |
| Elementary School | 8 years | |
| High School Diploma (or equivalent) | 4 years | Elementary school |
| Associate degree | 2 years | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Bachelor’s degree | 4 years | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Master’s degree | 1-2 years | Bachelor’s degree |
| Doctoral degree | 2+ years | Master’s degree (sometimes bachelor’s degree is acceptable) |
TOEFL Language Level Keys:
Beginner-0
- be able to shop or travel with basic English
- know the fundamentals of English pronunciation
Elementary-A1
- make simple sentences and reply to simple questions
- talk about likes/dislikes, family and routines
- order a meal in a restaurant
- go shopping and understand and write basic text
Pre-Intermediate-A2
- talk with confidence (go shopping, book a hotel room)
- make conversation in English
- write & understand simple written text
- understand a wider range of grammar and vocabulary
Intermediate-B1
- take part in routine conversations
- write & understand simple written text
- make notes & understand most of the general meaning of lectures, meetings, TV programmes
- extract basic information from a written document
Upper intermediate-B2
- take part in extended conversations
- write & understand most text, including a simple essay
- understand most of a TV programme, presentation or lecture, but not technical or theoretical information
Advanced-C1
- take part in lengthy conversations & discussions
- write and understand most text including formal, academic and professional documents
- easily understand TV, plays, films, lectures and presentations
Proficient-C2
- all of C1 plus:
- Increases understanding of the nuances of the language
- engages in independent reading to develop vocabulary further