English Language Proficiency Requirements

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

7 in each strand

Duolingo

6.0 overall, with no section score below 5.5

Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN)

7 in each area of listening, reading, writing and speaking

Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)

7 general, with no section score below 6.0

OR Three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a Canadian high school where English was the language of instruction.
OR Two (2) years full-time study at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where English was the language of instruction.
OR By presenting a Canadian high school equivalency diploma (e.g., General Education Development test or GED).

These regulations are adapted from the Government of Alberta "HCA Curriculum (2019) Road Map" dated July 2022 and are not set by Bow Valley College.

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Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma

The English proficiency requirements for the Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Diploma are:

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

Not accepted

Minimum grade of B

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

8 in each strand

6.5 with minimum band score of 6.0

59 - 64

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

84 with no section score below 21

OR Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course (or equivalent from education in Canada) that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the career program.
OR Transcripts showing successful completion of three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction.
OR Transcripts showing successful completion of one (1) year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction.
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SAIT English Language Foundations (ELF) Level 5 to Bow Valley College Admission:
ELF Level 5 (Communications 5 - COMN155 & Speech - SPCH155) with a minimum grade of 75% (B).

Global Village Global Village Pathway Program:
Level 6 (GV6) with a minimum grade of 80%

Machine Learning Analyst Diploma

The English proficiency requirements for the Machine Learning Analyst Diploma are:

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

6.5 with minimum band score of 6.0

59 with no section score below 56

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

84 with no section score below 21

Duolingo

115

If English is your second language, you must provide proof of English Language Proficiency before admission. These scores must be no more than two years old when you start your program.

Pharmacy Technician Diploma

The English proficiency requirements for the Pharmacy Technician are:

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

Reading: 7.0
Listening: 7.0
Speaking: 7.0
Writing: 6.5

Occupational English Test (OET)

Reading: B
Listening: B
Speaking: B
Writing: C+

Not accepted

Not accepted

Not accepted

Not accepted

Not accepted

OR Graduation from a Canadian high school with three (3) years of study including three English language arts courses.
OR Graduation from a Canadian college, university, or CEGEP with three (3) years of study including three English language arts courses.
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Practical Nurse Diploma

The English proficiency requirements listed in this section apply to the Practical Nurse Diploma program only.

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

Not accepted

Minimum Grade of B

CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)

8 in each strand

Listening: 9
Reading: 8
Writing: 7
Speaking: 8

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

Listening - 7.5
Reading - 6.5
Writing - 7.0
Speaking - 7.0

OR Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course (or equivalent from education in Canada) that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the career program.
OR Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction.
OR Transcripts showing successful completion of one (1) year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction.
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SAIT English Language Foundations (ELF) Level 5 to Bow Valley College Admission:
ELF Level 5 (Communications 5 - COMN155 & Speech - SPCH155) with a minimum grade of 75% (B).

Global Village Global Village Pathway Program:
Level 6 (GV6) with a minimum grade of 80%

Recreation Therapy Aide Certificate

The English proficiency requirements for Recreation Therapy Aide Certificate are:

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

Minimum grade of Grade B-

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

7 in each strand

5.5 with minimum band score of 5.0

CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses)

OR Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course (or equivalent from education in Canada) that is consistent with the specified academic admission requirements for the career program.
OR Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of three (3) years of full-time secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction.
OR Transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one (1) year of full-time post-secondary education at a school where English was the language of instruction.
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SAIT English Language Foundations (ELF) Level 5 to Bow Valley College Admission:
ELF Level 5 (Communications 5 - COMN155 & Speech - SPCH155) with a minimum grade of 75% (B).

Global Village Global Village Pathway Program:
Level 6 (GV6) with a minimum grade of 80%

Registered Nurse Pathway to Canada Practice

The English proficiency requirements for Registered Nurse Pathway to Canada Practice are:

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

Listening: 9
Reading: 8
Writing: 7
Speaking: 8

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

Listening - 7.0
Reading - 6.5
Writing - 6.5
Speaking - 7.0

Occupational English Test (OET)

Reading: C+
Listening: B
Speaking: B
Writing: C+

Requirements for most programs

The English language requirements apply to all programs, except all programs within the School of Health and Wellness and the Machine Learning Analyst Diploma program. Please see the requirements for those specific programs below:

English Test / Program

Minimum Required Score

Not accepted

Minimum grade of Grade B-

8 in each strand (listening, speaking, reading, writing)

Duolingo

110

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)

6.0 with minimum band score 6.0