English language requirements

Practical Nursing/Access to Practical Nursing

Students who are applying to VCC's Access to Practical Nursing or the Practical Nursing programs must meet specific English language requirements.

Please choose the option that applies to you:

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 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%

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 courses AND one of the following assesments:

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)	Satisfied

AND

Assessments	English 12 'B'
CELBAN Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses In-person or online computer-based exam and virtual interview. Scores are valid for 2 years.	Listening: 9.0 Speaking: 8.0 Reading: 8.0 Writing: 7.0
IELTS Academic module In-person only. Scores are valid for 2 years.	Listening: 7.0 Speaking: 7.0 Reading: 6.5 Writing: 6.5 Overall: 7.0

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.