Requirements by Program
The English proficiency requirements listed in this section apply to career certificates, diplomas, post-diploma certificates, and Career Program Pathways listed below:
- All Chiu School of Business career programs
- All School of Community Studies career programs (except Social Work)
- All School of Creative Technologies career programs
- Nutrition Manager Certificate program
- Open Studies program
- Career Program Pathway - Health
| English test* / program | Minimum required score |
|---|---|
| BVC Academic English 1 | Not accepted |
| BVC Academic English 2 | Minimum grade of Grade B- |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks | 8 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic |
6.0 with minimum band score of 5.5 (Spring and Fall 2019 only) 6.0 with minimum band score 6.0 (Winter 2020 onward) |
| PTE A (Pearson Test of English)* | 59-64 |
| TOEFL* | 83 |
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
*Important Notes
Test validity
CLB, IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.
English Proficiency Tests
- What is IELTS Academic?
- What is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- What is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test?
- What is the PTE A (Pearson Test of English Academic) test?
The English proficiency requirements listed in this section apply to the programs listed below:
- Health Care Aide Certificate programs
- Recreation Therapy Aide Certificate program
| English test* / program | Minimum required score |
|---|---|
| BVC Academic English 1 | Minimum grade of Grade B- |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks | 7 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 with minimum band score of 5.0 |
| PTE A (Pearson Test of English) | 42-50 |
| TOEFL* | 71 |
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
*Important Notes
Test validity
CLB, IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.
English Proficiency Tests
- What is IELTS Academic?
- What is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- What is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test?
- What is the PTE A (Pearson Test of English Academic) test?
The English proficiency requirements listed in this section apply to the Social Work Diploma program only.
English test* / program |
Minimum required score |
| BVC Academic English 1 |
Not accepted |
| BVC Academic English 2 | Not accepted |
| CAEL | 60, with no subtest below 60 |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks | 8 in reading, 8 in writing, and no lower than 7 in speaking/listening |
| CELPIP General |
Overall score of 7, with a minimum band score of 7 |
| IELTS Academic* | 6.0 with no band score below 6.0 |
| NorQuest ESLS7000, ESLS7100, ESLW8000, and ESLW8100** | Completed with a minimum grade of 80% |
| PTE A (Pearson Test of English)* | Not accepted |
| TOEFL* | 84 with no section score below 21 |
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
Important Notes
*Test validity
CLB, CAEL, IELTS (Academic), CELPIP, and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.
**Course validity
NorQuest ESLS7000, ESLS7100, ESLW8000, and ESLW8100 can be accepted if these courses were completed within two years of the start of the Social Work program.
English Proficiency Tests
- What is IELTS Academic?
- What is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- What is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test?
- What is the PTE A (Pearson Test of English Academic) test?
Proof of English Proficiency is required for all Pharmacy Technician Diploma applicants who have not:
- Graduated from a high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English courses/credit
OR
- Completed an undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, where instruction was provided in English
The English proficiency requirements listed in this section apply to the Pharmacy Technician Diploma program only.
English test* / program |
Minimum required score |
| BVC Academic English 1 |
Not accepted |
| BVC Academic English 2 | Not accepted |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks |
Not accepted |
| CanTEST* |
Minimum score of 4.5 in speaking, 4.0 in writing, 4.5 in reading, and 4.5 in listening |
| IELTS Academic* | 6.5 with minimum band score of 6.0 |
| MELAB* |
Overall score of 81, with a minimum score of 3+ in speaking, 80 in writing, 83 in reading, and 80 in listening |
| PTE A (Pearson Test of English)* | Not accepted |
| TOEFL* | 91 with minimum scores, Listening - 21, Reading - 22, Writing – 25, and Speaking -23 |
Important Notes
*Test validity
CLB, IELTS (Academic), MELAB, CanTEST, and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.
English Proficiency Tests
- What is IELTS Academic?
- What is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The English proficiency requirements listed in this section apply to the Practical Nurse Diploma and Practical Nurse for Internationally-Educated Nurses programs only.
English test* / program |
Minimum required score |
| BVC Academic English 1 |
Not accepted |
| BVC Academic English 2 | Minimum Grade of B |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks |
8 in each strand |
| IELTS Academic* | Listening - 7.5, Reading - 6.5, Writing - 7.0, Speaking - 7.0 |
| PTE A (Pearson Test of English)* | Not accepted |
| TOEFL* | 92 |
OR: Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the Career Program
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
OR: Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction
*Important Notes
Test validity
CLB, IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing. Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program cannot be accepted. Official results must be submitted.
English Proficiency Tests
- What is IELTS Academic?
- What is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- What is the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) test?
