English Language Proficiency (ELP) for Undergraduate Students

The English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement applies to all applicants to undergraduate programs, regardless of citizenship or country of origin. The University of Lethbridge reserves the right to determine and publish adequate levels of language proficiency.

Applicants whose academic qualifications meet admission requirements must satisfy English language proficiency (ELP) by August 1 for Fall (September) admission or November 15 for Spring (January) admission (see Application and Document Deadlines).

Note: The following policies do not apply to Exchange students.

Proficiency in English may be demonstrated through any of the following means:

  1. High School

    1. Alberta English Language Arts 30-1, or equivalent, with a minimum final (blended) grade of 75 percent.

    2. A grade of 5 or higher in IB Higher or Standard Level English.

    3. A grade of 4 or higher in AP English.

    4. A grade of B or higher in GCE A/S-level or A-level English.

    5. Successful completion of a minimum of three consecutive years of full-time academic study in English at a secondary school in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below). English as a Second Language of study is not considered academic.

  2. Post Secondary

    1. Successful completion of a minimum two years of full-time academic study in English at a post-secondary institution in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below). English as a Second Language of study is not considered academic.

    2. Successful completion of an academic diploma, applied degree, or baccalaureate degree, requiring at least two years of full-time study, at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where the language of instruction is English.
       

  3. English for Academic Purposes
    (Must have been completed within two years prior to the date of application).

    1. Successful completion of the Advanced Level of the University of Lethbridge English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

    2. A passing grade in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program accepted as a means of satisfying ELP by another recognized Canadian university, and whose ELP requirement is at least as demanding as that of the University of Lethbridge.

    3. A passing grade in an EAP program approved by the Manager of Admissions.
       

  4. ELP Assessments
    (Must have been completed within two years prior to the date of application).

    1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL (iBT) or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) with a minimum total score of 80, with minimum scores of 16 in each of Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum score of 18 in Writing.
      Website: www.toefl.org (University of Lethbridge Destination Institution (DI) code: 0855)
       

    2. Academic International English Languages Testing System (IELTS or IELTS Online) test with a minimum overall score of 6.0, and a minimum 6.0 in each band.
      Website: www.ielts.org
       

    3. Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced (C1 Advanced), with a minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each subscore.
      Website: www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/advanced
       

    4. Cambridge English Qualifications: C2 Proficiency (C2 Proficiency), with a minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each subscore.
      Website: www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency
       

    5. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic score with a minimum overall score of 54.
      Website: www.pearsonpte.com
       

    6. Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL or CAEL Online) assessment with a minimum overall score of 60, a minimum of 50 in each of Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum of 60 in Writing.
      Website: www.cael.ca
       

    7. Duolingo with a minimum score of 105.
      Website: www.englishtest.duolingo.com

  5. Recognized Countries
    For the purposes of administering the ELP requirement, the University of Lethbridge recognizes designated countries where the primary language is English:

    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Australia
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Belize
    Bermuda
    Botswana
    Canada
    Cayman Islands
    Dominica
    England
    Falkland Islands
    Fiji
    Gambia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Grenada
    Guam
    Guyana
    India: must also present CBSE All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (Converted to Canadian equivalent of 75% in one of Core English/Elective English or 80% in Functional English) or CISCE Indian School Certificate (Converted to Canadian equivalent of 75% in English)
    Ireland (Northern)
    Ireland (Republic of)
    Jamaica
    Kenya
    Liberia
    Malawi
    Malta
    Mauritius
    Montserrat
    New Zealand
    Nigeria
    St. Helena
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    Scotland
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    South Africa: must also present National Senior Certificate (passing grade in English Home Language)
    Tanzania
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
    United States of America
    Virgin Islands
    Wales
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe
  6. Required Documentation
    All proof of English proficiency must be provided on official academic transcripts or standardized test score reports. Standardized test scores must be valid and verifiable.

Applicants whose academic qualifications meet admission requirements must satisfy English language proficiency (ELP) by August 1 for Fall (September) admission or November 15 for Spring (January) admission (see Application and Document Deadlines).

Note: The following policies do not apply to Exchange students.

Proficiency in English may be demonstrated through any of the following means:

  1. High School

    1. Alberta English Language Arts 30-1, or equivalent, with a minimum final (blended) grade of 75 percent.

    2. A grade of 5 or higher in IB Higher or Standard Level English.

    3. A grade of 4 or higher in AP English.

    4. A grade of B or higher in GCE A/S-level or A-level English.

    5. Successful completion of a minimum of three consecutive years of full-time academic study in English at a secondary school in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below). English as a Second Language of study is not considered academic.

  2. Post Secondary

    1. Successful completion of a minimum two years of full-time academic study in English at a post-secondary institution in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below). English as a Second Language of study is not considered academic.

    2. Successful completion of an academic diploma, applied degree, or baccalaureate degree, requiring at least two years of full-time study, at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where the language of instruction is English.
       

  3. English for Academic Purposes
    (Must have been completed within two years prior to the date of application).

    1. Successful completion of the Advanced Level of the University of Lethbridge English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

    2. A passing grade in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program accepted as a means of satisfying ELP by another recognized Canadian university, and whose ELP requirement is at least as demanding as that of the University of Lethbridge.

    3. A passing grade in an EAP program approved by the Manager of Admissions.
       

  4. ELP Assessments
    (Must have been completed within two years prior to the date of application).

    1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL (iBT) or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) with a minimum total score of 80, with minimum scores of 16 in each of Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum score of 18 in Writing.
      Website: www.toefl.org (University of Lethbridge Destination Institution (DI) code: 0855)
       

    2. Academic International English Languages Testing System (IELTS or IELTS Online) test with a minimum overall score of 6.0, and a minimum 6.0 in each band. IELTS One Skill Retake results are accepted.
      Website: www.ielts.org
       

    3. Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced (C1 Advanced), with a minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each subscore.
      Website: www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/advanced
       

    4. Cambridge English Qualifications: C2 Proficiency (C2 Proficiency), with a minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each subscore.
      Website: www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/proficiency
       

    5. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic score with a minimum overall score of 54.
      Website: www.pearsonpte.com
       

    6. Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL or CAEL Online) assessment with a minimum overall score of 60, a minimum of 50 in each of Listening, Reading, and Speaking, and a minimum of 60 in Writing.
      Website: www.cael.ca
       

    7. Duolingo with a minimum score of 105.
      Website: www.englishtest.duolingo.com

  5. Recognized Countries
    For the purposes of administering the ELP requirement, the University of Lethbridge recognizes designated countries where the primary language is English:

    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Australia
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Belize
    Bermuda
    Botswana
    Canada
    Cayman Islands
    Dominica
    England
    Falkland Islands
    Fiji
    Gambia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Grenada
    Guam
    Guyana
    India: must also present CBSE All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (Converted to Canadian equivalent of 75% in one of Core English/Elective English or 80% in Functional English) or CISCE Indian School Certificate (Converted to Canadian equivalent of 75% in English)
    Ireland (Northern)
    Ireland (Republic of)
    Jamaica
    Kenya
    Liberia
    Malawi
    Malta
    Mauritius
    Montserrat
    New Zealand
    Nigeria
    St. Helena
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    Scotland
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    South Africa: must also present National Senior Certificate (passing grade in English Home Language)
    Tanzania
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
    United States of America
    Virgin Islands
    Wales
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe
  6. Required Documentation
    All proof of English proficiency must be provided on official academic transcripts or standardized test score reports. Standardized test scores must be valid and verifiable.