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English Language Proficiency

English is the official language of instruction at Portage College. All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency to be considered for admission. English Language Proficiency can be achieved by providing to Portage College Registrar’s Office one of the following:

1) Successful completion of at least three years of full-time study in English at a secondary or post-secondary school from one of our ELP exempt countries (see list below); OR

2) Successful completion of at least two years of full-time study in an English language secondary institution in Canada including the equivalent of English at the Grade 11 and 12 levels, with a grade of 50% or better in each; OR

3) Successful completion of one full year of course work at a Canadian post-secondary institution where English is the language of instruction; OR

4) By providing one of the below accepted English Language Proficiency Exams.

Please note: The Practical Nursing program has advanced English Language Proficiency requirements. Please see the corresponding program pages for more details.

The results of the Proficiency Tests listed must be issued directly from the testing office, photocopies will not be accepted. Test scores must be valid and verifiable. Scores are valid for two years from the date of testing and must not expire before the first day of classes.

English Language Requirements

Name of Examination Required Score
Name of Examination TOEFL - Paper Required Score 550
Name of Examination TOEFL - Internet Required Score 79
Name of Examination MELAB Required Score 80
Name of Examination IELTS Required Score 6 with no score below a 6
Name of Examination C1 Advanced (Formerly CAE) Required Score 180
Name of Examination C2 Proficiency (Formerly CPE) Required Score 180
Name of Examination CAEL Required Score 60 with no score below a 50
Name of Examination CLB Required Score Score of 7 in each Band
Name of Examination PTE Academic Required Score 54
Name of Examination PTE Academic Online Required Score 54
Name of Examination Duolingo Required Score 105

For information about English language proficiency tests visit the government of Alberta website.

English Language Proficiency Exempt Countries

  • American Samoa
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Bermuda
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • British Honduras
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Cayman Islands
  • England
  • Falkland Islands
  • Fiji
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Pacific Island
  • Panama Canal Zone
  • Puerto Rico
  • Ryukyu Islands
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Helena
  • Kitts and Nevis
  • Lucia
  • Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Scotland
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Island
  • Uganda
  • United States of America
  • United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland)
  • Virgin Islands
  • Wales
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.
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