English Language Requirements

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 may request the 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 if:

  • the applicant's first language is not English; or,
  • a minimum of three (3) years of secondary education has not been in English; or,
  • a minimum of one (1) year successful completion in a recognized post-secondary institution has not been in English.
IMPORTANT NOTE: scores must be received by July 15th for programs starting in September, by November 15th for programs starting in January, by March 1st for programs starting in April. Applicants enrolled in a recognized pathway program may be granted an extension.

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

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
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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
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Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)
  • Minimum score of 60
  • Test Centre and Online tests are acceptable
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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
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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 Summer Pathway Program (SPP)

NBCC & Mount Allison
  • Our Summer Pathway program is 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
  • The English Summer Pathway Program (SPP) is a language, academic, and cultural immersion program to be launched in summer 2021 by NBCC and Mount Allison University.
  • 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

East Coast Language College
  • Successful completion of University & College Pathway (UCP) program Level 450, with a minimum score of 75%
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Halifax Language Institute of Canada
  • Successful completion of University Bridging (Level 6) with a minimum score of 75%
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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 %
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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
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Canada

International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC)
Toronto or Vancouver
The Language Gallery (Toronto)
Global Education Opportunities and Services (GEOS)
Inlingua
  • Successful completion of Level 4B with a minimum score of 75%
  • Visit Website
English School Of Canada
  • Successful completion of University College Transfer Program (UCTP) with a minimum score of 70 %
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