English Language Proficiency Requirements

English is the primary language of instruction at the College, and all applicants, regardless of country of origin or citizenship status, will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language prior to admissions to College programs. Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have received their primary education in a language other than English, are required to provide proof of English language proficiency.

Students must demonstrate one of the following:

1. A minimum final grade of 65% in BC English Studies 12 (not including English as a Second Language course) or tests or courses that satisfy the English Language Proficiency listed in #7 below from an approved school or country where English is the principal language;

2. Three consecutive years of recognized full-time education in English in a country other than Canada where English is the principal language, as determined by the College (see Appendix A). Such education must be the completion of BC Grade 12 level or equivalent and can be in a combination of secondary and post-secondary education. Years completed in a recognized international school where English is the language of instruction may be eligible for inclusion in the required years of instruction;

3. Four consecutive years of recognized full-time education at an eligible international secondary school that uses English as the language of instruction but operates in a country where the primary language is not English. Such education must be the completion of BC Grade 12 level or equivalent and can be in a combination of secondary and post-secondary education. These four years must be completed immediately prior to attending the College;

4. Graduation from a recognized undergraduate degree, Associate Degree or two-year diploma program at an accredited post-secondary institution at which English is the primary language of instruction and in a country where English is the principal language;

5. Successful completions of 3 credits of a post-secondary first-year English course for which the College grants transfer credit;

6. Completion of proficiency standard indicated on one of the tests or courses that satisfy the English Language Proficiency as listed in #7, evaluated skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Any English language proficiency test used as a basis for admissions must be valid. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

7. Tests or courses that satisfy the English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS Academic – International English Language Testing System, overall 6.0 with no band less than 6.0;
  Visit the IELTS website
• TOEFL iBT – TOEFL Internet-Based Test, overall 4, with minimum 3.5 in Reading, 4.5 in Writing, 3.5 in Listening, 3.5 in Speaking;
  Visit the TOEFL website
• CAEL-CE – Canadian Academic English language (CAEL) Test, Computer Edition (CE) score of 60 overall (no sub-score less than 60);
  Visit the CAEL CE website
• CELPIP General – Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, overall 7.0 with no band less than 7.0;
  Visit the CELPIP – General website
• Duolingo – Duolingo English Test, minimum overall score of 110;
  Visit the Duolingo website
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, overall 54 with minimum 53 in Reading, 51 in Writing, 47 in Listening, 54 in Speaking;
  Visit the PTE Academic website
• Minimum 65% in BC English Studies 12, English First Peoples, ENGL 090- English – Provincial Level, ENGL 091 – English Provincial Level (Technical and Professional English), or equivalent courses;
• Completion of IB (International Baccalaureate) English A (HL or SL) with a minimum grade of 3 (or C+);
• Completion of AP (Advanced Placement) English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition with a minimum grade of 2 (or C+)

Programs with distinct English Proficiency Requirements as part of their Academic Admission Requirements will be used as the English Proficiency Standard for admission to the program. Program English Proficiency Standard are included in the program’s academic admission requirements.

College preparatory studies such as Upgrading for Academic and Career Entry (UACE) must have on one of the following tests of English language proficiency, evaluated skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Any English language proficiency test used as a basis for admissions must be valid. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program.

• IELTS Academic – International English Language Testing System, overall 4.5 with minimum 4.0 in Reading, 5.0 in Writing, 5.0 in Listening, 5.0 in Speaking;
• TOEFL iBT – TOEFL Internet-Based Test, overall 2.5 with minimum 2.5 in Reading, 2.5 in Writing, 2.5 in Listening, 2.5 in Speaking;
• CAEL-CE – Canadian Academic English language (CAEL) Test, Computer Edition (CE) score of 35 overall (no sub-score less than 35);
• CELPIP General – Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program, overall 5.0 with no band less than 5.0;
• Duolingo – Duolingo English Test, minimum overall score of 65;
• PTE Academic – Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, overall 30 with minimum 29 in Reading, 17 in Writing, 26 in Listening, 14 in Speaking

Appendix A: Countries that Satisfy English Proficiency

American Samoa	Anguilla	Antigua & Barbuda
Australia	Bahamas	Barbados
Belize	Bermuda	Botswana
Canada	Cayman Islands	Dominica
England	Falkland Islands	Fiji
Ghana	Gibralter	Grenada
Guam	Guyana	Ireland (Republic of Eire)
Jamaica	Kenya
Malta	Mauritius	Montserrat
New Zealand	Nigeria	Northern Ireland
Scotland	Seychelles	Singapore
South Africa	St. Helena	St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia	St. Vincent & the Grenadines	Tanzania
Trinidad & Tobago	Turks and Caicos	Uganda
USA	Virgin Islands (British)	Virgin Islands (US)
Wales	Zambia	Zimbabwe