International Students

When you apply for a CEM course, you can apply online and upload all your application material at once, including certified copies of documentation. If your certificates are in a language other than English, please note that you will need to have them translated into English.

As an international student, you should also be aware that exemptions based on previous qualifications differ both by CEM course and by country. The CEM Admissions team will advise you of any relevant agreements or restrictions at the time of your application.

Course fee information is available on the relevant course pages on this website.

Although fees shown are for UK-based students, CEM does not charge premium fees for international students and modest overseas supplements are for postage and packing costs only (please click here for details).

For other information on fees and financial assistance, please click here.

Most CEM courses are accredited by one or more internationally recognised professional bodies including:

• RICS – Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
• The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)
• The Board of Quantity Surveyors Malaysia (BQSM)

As such, studying with us offers you a pathway to becoming a chartered member of these institutions. For more information on professional body membership, please click here.

Our virtual learning environment (VLE), where all CEM study material is hosted online, is available wherever you are in the world – you only need a computer and Internet link – and the Study Skills section includes information on English for academic purposes.

The VLE is also a virtual community where you can interact with your fellow students and course tutors to discuss course learning, 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Find out more about the VLE by clicking here.

During UK office hours (Monday to Thursday, 9.00 a.m.–5.00 p.m. and Friday, 9.00 a.m.–4.30 p.m.), our IT Support Desk is available by telephone and email to help you solve course-related IT problems and you can usually access help immediately. Outside these hours, your call or email message is time stamped and student queries are prioritised.

If you have questions about the IT equipment you will need to support your studies, our staff can provide basic guidance. Please also see the information on computer and technical requirements.

Tel: +44 (0) 118 921 4637 Email: supportdesk@cem.ac.uk 

All CEM courses are taught and assessed in English. You will therefore be required to demonstrate adequate proficiency in the language before being admitted to a course.

Undergraduate courses

For our BSc(Hons) degrees, Diploma in Construction Practice, Diploma in Surveying Practice, RICS Professional Membership Graduate Route (Adaptation 1) and the Diploma in Shopping Centre Management you should possess one of the following:

• Grade C or above in English (Language or Literature) at GCSE or its equivalent
• Grade 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in the reading and writing modules, in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test administered by the British Council in the Social Sciences academic module
• 79 or above in the Internet option, 213 or above in the computer-based option or 550 or above in the paper-based option, of the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test
• Grade C or above in Use of English at A/S Level

Postgraduate courses

Our postgraduate courses require you to have one of the following:

• Grade B or above in English (Language or Literature) at GCSE or its equivalent
• Grade 6.0 or above, with at least 6.5 in the reading and writing modules, in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test administered by the British Council in the Social Sciences academic module
• 88 or above in the Internet option, 230 or above in the computer-based option or 570 or above in the paper-based option, of the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) test
• Grade C or above in Use of English at A/S Level

Note: In all cases, if your post-compulsory school leaving age (further education) qualifications have been taught and examined in the English language you can be considered for entry in the absence of the qualifications detailed above.

Although most CEM course content is UK- focused, the study material that we write and publish also includes an international dimension.

Furthermore, we increasingly encourage students to answer assignment and exam questions from their local perspective. With regard to law, you may be referred during your studies, where appropriate, to different legal systems, although you will be assessed in accordance with the law of England and Wales.

Each CEM course has its own Course Administrator who is your first point of contact for questions throughout your studies. Your Course Administrator is a caring and friendly source of advice and support for any difficulties you may encounter as an international student, not only studying a new course, but also experiencing a change in educational culture and rules.

You can find contact details for each Course Administrator on the relevant course pages in the prospectus and additional information on our Learning and Academic Support team is available here.

CEM organises exams in a large number of centres around the world. If you live outside the UK, the Exams and Progressions team will make every effort to provide special facilities for you to be examined in your country of residence.

Please note that your acceptance on a course does not commit CEM to providing examination facilities in your country of residence, although in practice it is usually possible for us to do so.

For queries about examinations, please email: examinations@cem.ac.uk 

Outside the UK, in places with a large number of CEM students, local networks foster a sense of community and mutual support.

If there is a local network in your area, the local network leader co-ordinates regular face-to- face events, including continuing professional development (CPD) talks, open evenings and other activities, and can help you make contact with other CEM students and alumni.

For more information about local networks and, if applicable, the contact details for the local network leader in your area, please email: international@cem.ac.uk 

In some countries, CEM works with representatives who can give you additional information about our courses and studying with us, and provide guidance and support throughout your course application process.

If you wish to work with a CEM representative, please email international@cem.ac.uk for information on countries covered and representative contact details.

The CEM International team co-ordinates most of the College’s development and marketing activities outside the UK, including events for prospective and current students and alumni, CEM local networks and CEM representatives.

If you would like more information about CEM’s support for international students or international activities, please contact:

Jennifer Squire, International Key Account Manager
Tel: +44 (0) 118 921 4645
Email: international@cem.ac.uk