English language proficiency requirements

All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency as part of the admissions process.

For most programs, there are five ways to meet ELP requirements.

Complete high school in Canada Your studies must have been in English at an approved Canadian high school with at least three consecutive years of full-time academic study and completion of Grade 12 English or its equivalent.
Complete 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.
Complete at least three consecutive years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study in English in an ELP recognized country

These studies must include satisfactory completion of Grade 12 English or its equivalent. It cannot include English as a Second Language or Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada courses.

Applicants who have successfully completed at least three consecutive years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study in English in one of these countries may meet English language proficiency requirements for NorQuest programs.

  • American Samoa
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Botswana
  • Brunei
  • Cameroon1
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Falkland Islands
  • Fiji
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guyana
  • India2
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Philippines3
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • St Helena
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Tanzania
  • The Gambia1
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Virgin islands
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Notes:

1 — Individuals educated under the British education model only; to be confirmed by the General Certificate of Education.

2 — Individuals educated in secondary and senior secondary schools affiliated with the CBSE and CISCE examining bodies only. Post-secondary studies are not considered towards the needed years of education.

3 — Must be confirmed with a letter from the applicant’s previous high school and/or university that specifies the language of instruction was English. Not available for the Pharmacy Technician program.

Complete NorQuest College EAL Intensive coursework that the program has identified as acceptable for meeting ELP. To find out which courses you need to take to meet the ELP requirements, visit the program page.
Achieve an acceptable score on an ELP test

View your program to see the test scores we accept.

English proficiency test options

CAEL

When completing the test, indicate you are seeking admission to NorQuest College so we can confirm your results online.

Visit CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language) for more information.

Cambridge English Language Assessment

Send us your Statement of Results number and date of birth, or share your results with NorQuest College through the Candidate Results website to admissions@norquest.ca.

Visit Cambridge English Language Assessment for more information.

CELBAN

A test for internationally educated nurses. When completing the test, indicate you are seeking admission to NorQuest College so we can confirm your results online.

Visit CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses) for more information.

CELPIP

For foundational programs only. When completing the test, indicate you are seeking admission to NorQuest College so we can confirm your results online.

Visit CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) for more information.

CLB

Submit your original CLBA, CLBPA, or CLBPT results to the Office of the Registrar.

Arrange for your CLB test through:

Language Assessment, Referral & Counselling Centre
8212 118 Avenue NW
Edmonton, AB  T5B 0S3

Note: CLBPT results cannot be accepted for Health Care Aide.

Visit CLB (Centre for Canadian Language Benchmarks) for more information.

Duolingo

Share your results with NorQuest College through the Duolingo portal.

Visit Duolingo for more information.

IELTS Academic

Send us your test report form number so that we can confirm your results online to admissions@norquest.ca.

Visit IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System) for more information.

ILAC

To request your offical ILAC certificate, you should contact a Student Services Manager at least five busienss days before you need the document.

Visit International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) for more information.

ILSC

Send your certificate to admissions@norquest.ca so that we can confirm your results.

PTE Academic (or PTE Academic Online)

Send us your Score Report Code or share your results with NorQuest College through your candidate account to admissions@norquest.ca.

Visit PTE Academic for more information.

TOEFL

Request that your results be mailed directly from TOEFL to NorQuest College.

Visit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) for more information.

In cases where contradictory evidence has been received, NorQuest College may need further evidence of ELP. Examples of contradictory evidence include low grades on English-based courses, low scores on English placement or ELP tests, and/or significant communication difficulties.

Following college policies and procedures, the Office of the Registrar makes the final determination of whether evidence of ELP is needed for an applicant. If ELP is needed from you, this item will appear on your 'To Do' list in MyQuest.