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Notice

Undertaking given by Cambridge English to Ofqual in accordance with Condition B8 of the General Conditions of Recognition (“Conditions”)

Published 11 June 2026

Applies to England

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/undertaking-and-notices-of-monetary-penalty-and-costs-recovery-cambridge-english/undertaking-given-by-cambridge-english-to-ofqual-in-accordance-with-condition-b8-of-the-general-conditions-of-recognition-conditions

1. Background

In the context of:

(a) a notification submitted by Cambridge English on 8 September 2025 (SNC 1810) in respect of matters relating to the provision of IELTS (“International English Language Testing System”), and

(b) Ofqual’s allegations contained in its letter of 23 January 2026 that Cambridge English breached the following Conditions: A5.1(a) and (b); A5.2 (c) and (e); A5.3 (a) and (b); A6.1; G1.3; H5.1; H5.2 (a) and (b),

Cambridge English admits to having breached the above-stated Conditions.

2. Undertaking

  1. 2.1. Pursuant to Condition B8, Ofqual may accept a written undertaking from an awarding organisation that it will take specified steps to secure compliance with the Conditions.

  2. 2.2. For the purpose of securing such compliance, Cambridge English undertakes to implement the actions set out in the Action Plan within Schedule 1, as updated from time to time under 2.6.e, within the timeframes set out therein.

  3. 2.3. Cambridge English undertakes to provide Ofqual with Action Plan progress updates every 2 months on dates and times to be agreed in writing.

  4. 2.4. Cambridge English shall submit written reports and statements of assurance to Ofqual on 31 August 2026, 26 February 2027, and 30 July 2027 confirming the implementation of each phase of the Action Plan.

  5. 2.5. Cambridge English shall submit written delivery-phase post-implementation review reports to Ofqual in November 2026, May 2027, and September 2027.

  6. 2.6. In each written report submitted to Ofqual under 2.4 and 2.5, Cambridge English shall:

    1. a) Review performance against the Action Plan and objectives of this undertaking;
    2. b) Detail the review it has conducted,
    3. c) Explain its conclusions as to the effectiveness of its performance against the Action Plan and the objectives of this undertaking,
    4. d) Set out the arrangements it has in place to bring the review to the attention of its Governing Body, and,
    5. e) Set out any proposed amendments to the Action Plan, including any proposed changes to actions, milestones or timescales, together with the reasons for the proposed amendments. Any amendment to the Action Plan shall require Ofqual’s prior written agreement.

  7. 2.7. With a view to assuring Ofqual that it has complied with this undertaking, Cambridge English shall by 30 October 2027 submit to Ofqual a Statement of Assurance signed by the Responsible Officer, confirming that it has complied with the requirements of this undertaking.

3. Acknowledgement

In giving this undertaking, I acknowledge on behalf of Cambridge English that:

(a) the rules of interpretation and definitions outlined in Condition J1 shall apply to this undertaking;

(b) Ofqual may publish this Undertaking on its website (it being accepted however that Ofqual will not publish Schedule 1);

(c) Ofqual may take regulatory action in respect of any failure to comply with the terms of this undertaking which may include the issue of a rebuke, direction, the imposition of a monetary penalty, withdrawal of Recognition, costs recovery and/or any other such action as it deems appropriate, acting in accordance with Ofqual’s ‘Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action’ policy;

(d) Ofqual may provide information to other UK qualification regulators or any relevant government department, bodies or agencies in line with Ofqual’s ‘Supporting Compliance and Taking Regulatory Action’ policy (2025)’, including information relating to Cambridge English’s performance under the undertaking and the sharing of any updates provided by Cambridge English and Ofqual’s analysis of it;

(e) nothing within this undertaking restricts Ofqual’s ability to conduct its own review, audit, investigation and/or other monitoring activity of Cambridge English at any time; and

(f) this undertaking will remain in force until Ofqual confirms that it is satisfied that the actions set out in Schedule 1 have been performed and that it may be discharged.

4. Variation

Cambridge English and Ofqual may from time to time vary this Undertaking by mutual agreement.

5. General

Nothing in this undertaking shall require Cambridge English to publish or otherwise disclose any confidential information, other than to Ofqual.

6. Effective date of this Undertaking

This undertaking takes effect on 5 June 2026.

Signed for and on behalf of Cambridge English 

Date: 5 June 2026

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