13
Admission to Undergraduate Programs
13.3
Language Proficiency Requirements
13.3 Language Proficiency Requirements
13.3.1 English Language Proficiency
English is the primary language of instruction in all Faculties except Faculté Saint-Jean. All undergraduate applicants to any program or course except Faculté Saint-Jean need an adequate level of English language proficiency before admission, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin.
The University of Alberta reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of language proficiency to ensure success in academic programs. In some cases, additional English language testing, conducted by the Faculty of Extension, may be required to confirm English proficiency.
Proficiency in English may be fulfilled in one of the following ways:
Successful completion of three years of full-time education in English
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Successful completion of the equivalent of three years of full-time instruction in a school/institution in Canada in which the major language of instruction is other than English, but where the level of English proficiency required for graduation is equivalent to that in English language schools/institutions in Canada. | |||||||||||
Completion of one of the following:
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Graduation from a degree program offered by an accredited university at which English is the primary language of instruction and in a country where English is the primary language. (See note 5) | |||||||||||
One of the two TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test formats with the appropriate score;
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A score of at least 85 on the MELAB (Michigan English Assessment Battery). (See note 4) | |||||||||||
A score of at least 6.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with no band less than 5.0. (See note 4) | |||||||||||
A score of at least 70 on the CAEL (the Canadian Academic English Language assessment exam). (See note 4) | |||||||||||
A score of at least 59 on the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) | |||||||||||
Successful completion of the University of Alberta's ESL 140/145. |
6 of transferable university-level English Language and Literature completed at an English language institution.Applicants with superior academic standing who do not meet the English language requirements but who have a TOEFL score between 70 and 85 (internet-based), or 530 and 577 (paper-based) and who meet all other Faculty-specific program requirements may be considered for admission to the Bridging Program. For more information, students should contact the Office of the Registrar and Student Awards, International Admissions Unit, 105 Administration Building, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2M7.
Notes
Enrolment in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses or programs will not be included in the calculation of three years of full time study. Enrolment must be in a regular high school or postsecondary for-credit program. Where students are registered in both ESL and regular programs, the ESL hours will be deducted from the total educational hours. | |
Proof of three years of education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts (including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction) | |
Failing grades/courses will not be counted when calculating full time attendance. Only courses with passing grades will be considered. | |
Standardized test results must be issued directly from the testing office. Photocopies will not be accepted. Test scores must be valid and verifiable. | |
For a list of countries and institutions that are recognized as having met the University of Alberta's English language proficiency requirement, visit our website at: www.registrar.ualberta.ca/elp | |
When requesting official TOEFL test results to be forwarded to the University of Alberta, applicants should indicate institution code 0963 and department code 00. | |
Applicants who are asked to provide English Language Proficiency and who can demonstrate by other means that their proficiency exceeds the specified minimum levels, should direct inquiries to the Assistant Registrar, International Admissions, Office of the Registrar and Student Awards, 105 Administration Building. Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2M7. |
13.3.2 Spoken English Requirement
Besides demonstrating overall English language proficiency, applicants to the teaching and health sciences disciplines need a further level of spoken English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. The University of Alberta reserves the right to use discretion in determining adequate levels of spoken English language proficiency. In some cases, additional English language testing, conducted by the Faculty of Extension, may be required. To determine whether or not proof of spoken English proficiency is required, applicants should verify specific admission requirements for intended program(s). See §15.
Spoken English proficiency may be shown in any of the following ways:
Six full years of education in English in Canada or the equivalent in another country where English is the principal language. Such education must include the Alberta Grade 12, or equivalent level, and can be in a combination of secondary and postsecondary training (see notes 1, 2, 3 and 5). | |
Successful completion of the equivalent of six years of full-time instruction in a school/institution in Canada in which the major language of instruction is other than English, but where the level of English proficiency required for graduation is equivalent to that in English language schools/institutions in Canada (see notes 1, 2, 3 and 5). | |
A score of at least 50 on the TSE (Test of Spoken English) or a minimum speaking score of 26 points on the TOEFL iBT test or a minimum speaking score of 7.5 on the IELTS test (see note 4). |
Notes
Enrolment in English as a second language (ESL) courses or programs will not be included in the calculation of 6 years of full time study. Enrolment must be in a regular high school or post-secondary for-credit program. Where students are registered in both ESL and regular programs, the ESL hours will be deducted from the total educational hours. | |
Proof of 6 years of education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts (including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction) | |
Failing grades/courses will not be counted when calculating full time attendance. Only courses with passing grades will be considered. | |
Standardized test results must be issued directly from the testing office. Photocopies will not be accepted. Test scores must be valid and verifiable. | |
For a list of countries and institutions that are recognized as having met U of A’s English language proficiency requirement, visit our website at: www.registrar.ualberta.ca/elp |
13.3.3 Exceptions
Faculté Saint-Jean
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Formal International Visiting and Exchange Programs
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