English Language Proficiency
Prior to University of Calgary Continuing Education course registration or program admission, an applicant whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
1. Internationally recognized test scores
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) | 80 |
| Computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL CBT) | 213 |
| Paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT) | 550 |
| Academic format of International English Language Test System (IELTS Academic) | 6 |
| Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) | 60 |
| Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA) | 7 (average) |
| Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) examination | 70 |
| Duolingo English Test Score | 110 (with a minimum of 100 in production) |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | 60 |
2. Continuing Education ESL program
| Language Program | Level | Courses | Minimum Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCalgary English Language Program: Semester Program |
Level 6 | ESL 610 ESL 620 ESL 630 |
Completion with B+ |
| UCalgary English Language Program: Part-Time ESL Course* |
ESL 5 | ENL 510 | Completion with B+ |
| Academic Communication Certificate | EAP 220 EAP 225 EAP 230 EAP 235 EAP 249 |
Completion |
3. Completion of formal studies at an English speaking institution
Successful completion of formal, full-time study (not less than three courses per semester) at an English secondary or post-secondary institution that is accredited by the Council of International Schools.
4. High school Canadian English grades
- A mark of 65% or better on the Alberta English Language Arts 30-1 diploma examination (not the blended grade), OR
- A mark of 65% or equivalent letter grade or better in Alberta English Language Arts 30-1 (blended mark), OR
- A mark of 65% or better in Alberta English Language Arts 30-2, OR
- Equivalent high school level course from other Canadian provinces.
English language requirement-exempt countries
Residents of the following countries are not required to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Cameroon (English stream-GCE)
- Cayman Islands
- Cook Islands
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- India
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Malta
- Marshall Island
- Mauritius (English stream-GCE)
- Montserrat
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Puerto Rico (English stream)
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- Saint Helena
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- US Virgin Islands
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
* ENL 510 does not meet the English language proficiency requirement for International Professional Programs (IPP). International students can use completion of level 6 of the UCalgary English Language Program Semester Program or ACC for conditional admission to the IPP.
Note: Courses offered through the English Language Program are exempt from University of Calgary Continuing Education English language proficiency requirements. For admission requirements into the English Language Program please click here.
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