English for Business Communications (EBC) (8959)

Last Updated: 14 Dec 2021
City & Guilds English for Business Communications is a realistic and innovative exam based on a simulation approach. The candidate is placed in the role of a business person who finds a set of authentic-looking communications - letters, faxes, emails - in their in-tray when they come into the office in the morning. They have to write suitable replies, and other documents such as brief reports, following instructions from their manager or supervisor.
Non-native speakers of English who use English in the workplace and are looking for formal recognition of their ability.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • International

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You will cover all the essential English skills, grammar and vocabulary needed for working in the modern office including:

  • writing business memos and letters
  • dealing with correspondence.

You will learn in the classroom.

Assessment is through written assignments. Further information can be found in the EBC handbook.

Which level is right for me?

Level 1
Designed for clerical and administrative staff who read and draft routine communications in English according to clear instructions.

Level 2
Designed for staff who read a variety of communications in English and reply to them independently and in appropriate style.

Level 3
Designed for staff who read the full range of work related documents in English, including those that require complex replies, and draft documents where choice and tone of expression may be critical to the success of the transaction.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to succeed in a wide range of roles within the international business workplace.

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

To deliver these qualifications you will need suitably qualified staff to carry out training and assessment.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

To find all the resource requirements for assessment and delivery, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Level 1

Level 1 is designed for clerical and administrative staff who read and draft routine communications in English according to clear instructions.

You will cover areas ranging from and including:

  • understanding short simple narratives and descriptions, straightforward instructions, directions and explanations on familiar and work related topics
  • composing simple texts using the appropriate format with some awareness of the intended audience
  • using a limited range of vocabulary to deal with simple and familiar business topics and tasks

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the additional documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to succeed in a wide range of roles within the international business workplace.

Level 1 Certificate in English for Business Communications (EBC) (8959-11)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2024

Level 1 Certificate in English for Business Communications (EBC)

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: IVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 100 - 120 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 2

Level 2 is designed for staff who read a variety of communications in English and reply to them independently and in appropriate style.

You will cover areas ranging from and including:

  • locating and understanding information, ideas and opinions from longer, more specialised, sources in familiar contexts
  • writing coherently on topics of business interest linking ideas appropriately and effectively
  • using a range of linking words effectively to show clearly the relationship between ideas

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the additional documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to succeed in a wide range of roles within the international business workplace.

Level 2 Certificate in English for Business Communications (EBC) (8959-12)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2024

Level 2 Certificate in English for Business Communications (EBC)

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: IVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 200 - 250 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 is designed for staff who read the full range of work related documents in English, including those requiring complex replies, and draft documents where choice and tone of expression may be critical to the success of the transaction.

You will cover areas ranging from and including:

  • understanding the main ideas of all forms of written language, including lengthy abstract, structurally or linguistically complex texts or highly idiomatic, literary and non-literary writing on a wide range of professional, academic and social topics
  • writing clear, smoothly flowing, complex minutes, formal letters, memoranda, articles, press releases, speeches, mailshots, advertisements, notices, formal invitations or reports in styles fully appropriate to purpose and target readership
  • using a wide range of linguistic devices to create coherent and cohesive writing

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the additional documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

These qualifications can help you to succeed in a wide range of roles within the international business workplace.

Level 3 Certificate in English for Business Communications (EBC) (8959-13)
Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2024

Level 3 Certificate in English for Business Communications (EBC)

  • Accreditation No: Data unavailable This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: IVQ This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: Data unavailable Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 600 - 800 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: Data unavailable The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/12/2025 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

8959 Level 1

Assessment materials

8959 Level 2

Assessment materials

8959 Level 3

Assessment materials

Additional documents

Centre documents

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