English Language Requirements

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Due to recent IRCC Changes, including NBCC's CIP List, please see Updated International Application Process.

November 19, 2024, Update: On September 18, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced changes to the International Student Program. We have matched the federal Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Codes to our programs to see which fields of study will still qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). You can review the NBCC list here: Program List - PGWP Eligible Fields of Study.

We want our students to be well-positioned for success and be able to participate in all NBCC educational activities. Therefore, all international and Permanent Resident applicants to NBCC must demonstrate adequate academic English proficiency.

NBCC will request evidence of English proficiency on a recognized linguistic test or successful completion of a recognized pathway program from one of our English language training partners. NBCC will only accept tests that were taken within the last 2 years.  An applicant may be exempt if:

  • the applicant's first language is English; or,
  • a minimum of three (3) years of secondary education has been successfully completed in English within the last 2 years; or,
  • a minimum of one (1) year of successful completion in a recognized post-secondary institution has been in English within the last 2 years.

Successful completion of English 122 or 121, or equivalency to NB high school curriculum, with a minimum mark of 70% (non-modified curriculum) can be submitted to satisfy NBCC’s English proficiency requirement.

Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Assistant Program Language Requirements

International applicants, or those that present with international credentials, must provide proof of English proficiency as per the Registrar’s Council of Pharmacy Registrars of Canada (CPRC). Please visit the following link for more information.

The following English proficiency tests can be submitted to NBCC for admission consideration

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic test only
  • Minimum score of 6.0 with no subject test score less than 5.5
  • Visit website
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Minimum score of 80 with no subject test less than 18 (iBT Test)
  • NBCC's ETS-designated institution code is: 3027. Please use this code when writing the TOEFL so your scores will be sent directly to the NBCC Admissions Office.
  • Visit website
Duolingo English Test
  • Minimum score of 100 out of 160 with no subject test score less than 90
  • Visit Website
Cambridge English
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
  • Overall Cambridge English Scale score of 169
  • Visit website
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)
  • Minimum score of 60
  • Test Centre and Online tests are acceptable
  • Visit website
The Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST)
PTE Pearson Test of English (Academic)
  • Minimum score of 65 with no subject test less than 60
  • Visit website

If you do not meet the English language requirements for admission to NBCC programs, you can apply directly to one of our English language training partners for a pathway program.

Language Pathway Programs

Successful completion of the following pathways can be submitted to NBCC for admission consideration:

NBCC English Pathway Program (EPP)

NBCC & Mount Allison
  • The NBCC English Pathway Program (EPP) is a language, academic, and cultural immersion program designed for students who need extra time and training to meet our English proficiency requirements and who would like to benefit from additional transition time and academic preparation before full-time studies.
  • Visit website

New Brunswick

Saint John College (UNB)
  • Successful completion of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program (Level 5) with a minimum score 75% 
  • Visit website
McKenzie College

Nova Scotia

Oxford International Halifax
  • Successful completion of University & College Pathway (UCP) program Level 400, with a minimum score of 75%
  • Visit website
Halifax Language Institute of Canada
  • Successful completion of University Bridging (Level 6) with a minimum score of 75%
  • Visit website
International Centre for English for Academic Preparation (ICEAP)
  • Successful completion of ICEAP Level 6  - Continuing Advancement of EAP with an average of 70%, no band below 65 %
  • Visit website
Canadian Language Learning College (CLLC)
Atlantic Canada Language Academy (ACLA)
  • Successful completion of Level 6 or above in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).
  • Visit website

Prince Edward Island

Study Abroad Canada Language Institute
  • Successful completion of Intensive English Program (IEP) 330 with an 80% or greater
  • Visit website

Canada

International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC)
Toronto or Vancouver
The Language Gallery