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.

English Language Requirements

Less than three years of English instruction

Students who do not have English 12 and 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 language 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.

Students may meet VCC's English language requirements by completing three credits of undergraduate English at a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction.

Undergraduate grades must meet or exceed the percentages below to fulfil VCC program requirements. Please check your program for the level of English required.

E.g. VCC's Hairstylist Certificate requires English 10. Students can complete three credits of undergraduate English with a minimum overall score of 50 per cent to meet this requirement.

English 12
'B'		 English 12
'C+'		 English 12
'C'		 English 12
'C-'		 English 11 English 10
Minimum 64% Minimum 60% Minimum 55% Minimum 50% Minimum 50% Minimum 50%

Students may meet VCC's English language requirements by obtaining Canadian Language Benchmark Levels 7-8 through VCC's ESL Pathways program or by completing VCC English courses with a minimum grade.

Please check your program for the level of English required.

E.g. VCC's Heavy Mechanical Trades Foundation program requires English 10. Students can complete ESL Pathways 7 or English 1101/1001 with a minimum grade of 50 per cent to meet this requirement.

VCC requirements English 12
'B'		 English 12
'C+'		 English 12
'C'		 English 12
'C-'		 English 11 English 10

ESL Pathways 9
ESL Listening and Speaking 9
(ELSK 0915)

AND

Reading and Writing 9
(ELSK 0920)

AND

ESL Experiential Learning 2
(ELSK 0905)

 Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied

ESL Pathways 8
ESL Listening and Speaking 8
(ELSK 0815)

AND

Reading and Writing 8
(ELSK 0820)

AND

ESL Experiential Learning 1
(ELSK 0705)

 Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied Satisfied

ESL Pathways 7
ESL Listening and Speaking 7
(ELSK 0715)

AND

Reading and Writing 7
(ELSK 0720)

 N/A N/A N/A N/A Satisfied  Satisfied

LINC 8 (LINC 0608)

 N/A N/A N/A N/A Satisfied Satisfied

English 1101/1001

 Minimum 64% Minimum 60% Minimum 55% Minimum 50% Minimum 50% Minimum 50%

Students may meet VCC's English language requirements by completing the following assessments. 

Please check your program for the level of English required. 

E.g. VCC's Graphic Design Certificate program requires English 12 with a 'C' grade. Students can complete IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0) to meet this requirement.

*Note: Accuplacer assessments are not accepted for Academic Upgrading or University Transfer courses.

**Note: The Duolingo test is not accepted for Practical Nursing, Access to Practical Nursing, or Health Care Assistant programs.

VCC requirements English 12
'B'		 English 12
'C+'		 English 12
'C'		 English 12
'C-'		 English 11 English 10
VCC EAL Accuplacer + VCC EAL (ESL) Speaking Assessment*

Listening: 93
Speaking: 8
Reading Skills: 109
WritePlacer EAL: 6

Listening: 86
Speaking: 8
Reading Skills: 102
WritePlacer EAL: 5

Listening: 86
Speaking: 8
Reading Skills: 102
WritePlacer EAL: 5

Listening: 86
Speaking: 8
Reading Skills: 102
WritePlacer EAL: 5

Listening: 78
Speaking: 7
Reading Skills: 95
WritePlacer EAL: 4

 Listening: 71
Speaking: 6
Reading Skills: 87
WritePlacer EAL: 3
CAEL CE/CAEL Online
(Canadian Academic English Language Test) 
Scores are valid for 2 years

Overall: 70

Overall: 60

Overall: 60

Overall: 60

Overall: 50

 Overall: 40

Cambridge Assessment
B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE)
Scores are valid for 2 years

Overall: 178

Overall: 176

Overall: 176

Overall: 176

Overall: 169

Overall: 162

Duolingo Test**
Scores are valid for 2 years

Overall: 120

Overall: 115

Overall: 115

Overall: 115

Overall: 105

Overall: 95
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

 Overall 6.5
with no band less than 6.0		 Overall 6.5
with no band less than 6.0		 Overall 6.5
with no band less than 6.0		 Overall 6.0
with no band less than 5.5		 Overall 5.5
with no band less than 5.0

PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English)
Scores are valid for 2 years

Overall: 61

Overall: 56

Overall: 56

Overall: 56

Overall: 50

Overall: 43

TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Home Edition
Scores are valid for 2 years

Overall: 90

Overall: 80

Overall: 80

Overall: 80

Overall: 70

 Overall: 50

 

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.