Students of University Grants Committee-funded undergraduate degree programmes who will graduate in 2004-05 can register for the Common English Proficiency Assessment Scheme from September 20 to October 23.

With assistance from institutions, the committee will arrange testing sessions under the scheme for all final-year students of degree programmes from November to May.

Like the last two years, these students are eligible for reimbursement of the test fee (once only), if they agree to have a statement printed on their transcript indicating they have participated in the scheme.

For details, visit the CEPAS website, call the International English Language Testing System hotline at 2620 0321 or contact the Registrar's Offices of the eight committee-funded institutions.

Application forms can be downloaded from the website.  Applicants are reminded that applications should be submitted through their respective institutions.

English encouragement

CEPAS is a voluntary assessment scheme to encourage students to be more aware of the importance of English proficiency and to provide a common framework for assessing and documenting graduating students' English proficiency.

Through the assessment, the committee aims to benchmark the English proficiency of local university graduates against a reliable, internationally validated instrument which will serve as useful reference for students when they enter the workforce after they graduate or when they pursue further studies.

Despite its voluntary nature, more than 8,700 final-year students participated in the scheme last year. This year, all eligible students are encouraged to take part.