English language requirements

Dental Assisting - Certified

Students who are applying to VCC's Dental Assisting - Certified program must meet specific English language requirements.

Please choose the option below that applies to you.

Important Notice

For programs starting September 2024 (or later), there are more options for meeting English Language Proficiency requirements. Check requirements for September 2024 (or later).
For programs starting before September 2024, follow the requirements shown below.

1. At least three years of English instruction

Students who have completed three years* of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education in an English-speaking country where English is the primary language of instruction may meet VCC's English 12 'B' and English Language Proficiency requirements by completing one of the following options:

*For example, a student who successfully completed 9 credits of post-secondary study in each of 2 terms in one year, and repeated this over 3 years may meet VCC’s standard for 3 years of full-time study. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are not considered in the three-year calculation. Please contact an Academic Advisor if you have questions about meeting the three-year requirement.

VCC requirement	English 12 'B'
VCC Provincial level ABE English 12 (ENGL 0981 and 0991)	Minimum 72%
Academic English 12 or equivalent	Minimum 73%
VCC Reading and Writing (WRSK 1076)	Pass
VCC Communications for Health Sciences (CCAC 1084)	Pass
Completion of 3 credits of undergraduate English at a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction.	Minimum 64%
VCC NG Accuplacer Scores are valid for 2 years	Reading: 263 WritePlacer: 6
Duolingo Scores are valid for 2 years	120

2. Less than three years of English instruction

Students who have not completed three years of full-time, face-to-face secondary or post-secondary education in an English-speaking country where English is the primary language of instruction may meet VCC's English 12 'B' and English Language Proficiency requirements by completing one of the following options:

Assessment Options:

VCC requirements	English 12 'B'
VCC EAL Accuplacer + VCC EAL (ESL) Speaking Assessment	Listening: 93 Speaking: 8 Reading Skills: 109 WritePlacer EAL: 6
CAEL CE/CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language Test) Scores are valid for 2 years	Overall: 70
Cambridge Assessment B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) Scores are valid for 2 years	Overall: 178
Duolingo Test* Scores are valid for 2 years	Overall: 120
IELTS Academic/IELTS Academic Online/IELTS Academic One Skill Retake Scores are valid for 2 years	Listening: 6.0 Speaking: 6.5 Reading: 6.0 Writing: 6.5 Overall: 6.5
PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English) Scores are valid for 2 years	Overall: 61
TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition Scores are valid for 2 years	Overall: 90

Course-based Options:

VCC requirements	English 12 'B'
VCC Provinicial level ABE English 12 (ENGL 0981 and 0991)	Minimum 72%
Academic English 12 or equivalent	Minimum 73%
Completion of 3 credits of undergraduate English at a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction	Minimum 64%
VCC ESL Pathways 8 Listening and Speaking 8 (ELSK 0815) AND Reading and Writing 8 (ELSK 0820) AND ESL Experiential Learning 1 (ELSK 0705)	Satisfied

Proof of credentials

All applicants using external credentials (e.g. degrees, credits, or test scores) to meet VCC's English language requirements must provide proof upon application.

Questions?

See more options for meeting VCC's English Language Requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirements for your program and want more information about VCC English assessments or courses, please contact Advising Services.