English Language Proficiency Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by presenting evidence of one of the following:

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES | ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Includes the following programs:

  • Bachelor of Science Nursing

  • Kinesiology and Sport Studies

  • Medical Laboratory Assistant

  • Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant

  • Pharmacy Technician

  • Practical Nurse

  • Pre-Health Sciences

Applicants whose first language is not English must present one of the following English Language Proficiency requirements to be eligible for admission to programs within the School of Health Sciences:

  1.  Graduation from a high school in Canada with three consecutive, first language English courses/credits; or
  2. An undergraduate degree from a university in Canada, whose instruction was provided in English or
  3. TOEFL or IELTS minimum scores as listed in the chart below:

 

TOEFL

(overall score)

IELTS Academic (overall score)

All School of Health Sciences programs  (list above)

92 iBT

580 PBT

7.0 with at least 6.5 on each band score

 

HEALTH CARE AIDE | ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates where English is a Second Language (ESL) must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement in addition to the Academic English requirement.  Equivalencies are as follows:

  • Required Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of a minimum of 7 in each of the 4 language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and not an average of 7; OR
  • By completing high school in Canada.  Students must have been in English at an approved Canadian high school (grades 9, 10, 11, 12) with at least three consecutive years of full-time academic study; OR
  • By completing a recognized post-secondary degree or diploma program in Canada.  The program must have involved at least two full years of full-time, consecutive academic study in English.

Approved English Proficiency Tests

Tests benchmarked at a CLB 7 for all language skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing).  Official results must be submitted directly to Red Deer College at international [dot] admissions [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca or mailed to the Office of the Registrar.

1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6 (no section score below 5.5);

2. Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Testing (TOEFL iBT):  71;

3. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) General: 7 (with no section score below 6); and

4. Canadian Language Benchmarks/Milestone Test (7 in each strand, not an average of 7).

Notes:

Test Currency:  results must have been obtained within two years of the start date of the program.

Test Validity:  IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL results are valid for two years from the day of testing.  Results that expire prior to the Start Date of the program will not be accepted.

 

ALL OTHER PROGRAMS | ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

 

Method 1 | SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF ONE OF THE RECOGNIZED ENGLISH LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TESTS

  1. International applicants may demonstrate their English language proficiency by completing one of the recognized English Language Placement Tests described in the table below through achievement of the minimum required scores.
Method to Demonstrate ELP Documentation Required to Verify  
Completion of the  English Language Placement Test as follows:  Test results mailed or emailed directly to the Office of the Registrar at international [dot] admission [at] rdc [dot] ab [dot] ca

 

 

 

 
Program TOEFL (overall score)

IELTS* Academic (overall score) 

*RDC will continue to accept IELTS Indicator where IELTS is not available in person.

CAEL 
(overall score)

*CAEL Online will also be accepted.

 MELAB 
(overall score)		 PTE 
(overall score) 		 Duolingo English Test
All other programs 83 iBT 
557PBT		 6.5 with at least 5.5 on each band score  60 with at least 55 on each band score 77 with at least 72 on each band score  59 with at least 56 on each band score  115
Early Learning and Childcare  N/A 6.5 with at least 6.0 on each band score  N/A  N/A  N/A  115
Bachelor of Education  100 iBT 
600 PBT		 8.0 with at least 7.5 on each band score  80 with at least 75 on each band score  84 with at least 78 on each band score  76 115

 

Method 2 | COMPLETION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS 30-1 OR EQUIVALENT WITH A MINIMUM GRADE OF 60% 

International applicants may demonstrate their English language proficiency by providing evidence that they have completed English Language Arts 30-1 or equivalent with a minimum grade of 60%. 

Method to Demonstrate ELP Documentation Required to Verify  
Completion of English Language Arts 30-1 or equivalent with a minimum of 60%. Official transcripts or WAEC or NECO results

 

Method 3 | SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THREE YEARS FULL-TIME EDUCATION IN ENGLISH, AT THE SECONDARY OR POST-SECONDARY LEVEL: 

  • completed within Canada including the grade 12 year
  • completed in another country (see chart) where English is recognized as an official language of instruction and it is noted on the official transcript
  • completed at a recognized school or institution which uses English as the primary language of instruction
 

Method 4 | SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE ILAC UNIVERSITY PATHWAY PROGRAM WITH A MINIMUM GRADE OF 70%

Evidence of completion of the International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) University Pathway program certificate (Level 3.2 or 3.3) with a minimum grade of 70%.

Method to Demonstrate ELP Documentation Required to Verify  
Completion of the ILAC University Pathway Program Certificate of completion from ILAC

 

Important information:  

*Due to circumstances related to COVID-19, RDC will accept the IELTS Indicator (online) for admission to Winter 2021, Spring 2021, and Fall 2021 programs if in-person IELTS Testing is unavailable.

  • Applicants must also meet all other program admission requirements including the English course and minimum grade required for the program. 
  • Applicants to the Pharmacy Technician Program must also meet the language proficiency requirements of National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities. 
  • CAEL testing is available at RDC. For more information and to book your test click here. Applicants applying to the Academic Upgrading and Transitional Vocational programs are not required to demonstrate English language proficiency at the levels noted for credit programs. Placement assessments are used for admission to these programs.
  • Equivalent English Language Arts 30-1 courses are available through the Academic Upgrading program. 
  • 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 post-secondary credit program. 
  • The Office of the Registrar is able to review your “unofficial” or scanned documents in order to admit you to a program and provide a Letter of Acceptance; however, you must provide official documentation to the Office of the Registrar prior to the first day of classes. This is a critical step in the admission process and you will not be granted “clear” admission until this step has been completed.