English Language Proficiency

How to satisfy NAIT's language proficiency requirements

English is the language of instruction at NAIT. If you have previous education outside of Canada in a country that is not on the exempt country list – or you completed your studies in a language other than English – you will need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) as part of the admissions process. 

NAIT’s ELP requirement is different than academic English language arts requirements your program may have. NAIT may also require you to provide additional ELP proof or documentation during the admissions process. Make sure you monitor your To-Do list in your MyNAIT portal.

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1. Complete consecutive, full-time studies in English

You will meet this requirement if you have completed at least: 

• 3 years of high school (or combination of high school and post-secondary) in Canada or in a country on NAIT’s ELP exempt country list – including completion of Grade 12 English; or

• 2 years of post-secondary in Canada or an ELP exempt country; or

• Completion of the Cambridge O and/or A level examinations.

Your studies must have been in English, full-time, and consecutive.

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2. Complete specific English language courses

Achieve acceptable marks in one of the following English language courses:

School/institution or curriculum	Course(s)	Minimum required grade
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)	All three ESL Level 6 courses: NEAP611 - Listening & Speaking, and NEAP621 - Reading & Vocabulary, and NEAP631 - Grammar & Writing	Passing grade of 60% or higher in each course
Canadian high schools  Review out-of-province course equivalencies	English 30-1 or English 30-2	65% or higher 70% or higher
Advanced Placement (AP) English	AP English College Board Examination	4 or better
Bayswater	University Pathway Program - Level 8	80% or higher in: General English; and EAP Pathway Modules; and in attendance
Cornerstone International Community College	ESL Advanced 6.5	70% or higher
Global Village (Canadian offices only)	English for Academic Purposes (EAP) - Level 7	80% or higher; and 80% or higher in attendance
ILSC Canada	English for Academic Purposes – Advanced 1 program ( or higher)	Passing grade of B or higher; and 80% or higher in attendance
International Baccalaureate (IB)	English A: Literature, or Language and Literature or English B	5 or better 6 or better
International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC)	Pathway 3.2 or Pathway 3.3 or Pathway 3.4	75% or higher
St. George International College (SGIC)	University & College Preparation Program (Pathway Program)	70% or higher in: Argumentation; and Problem Solving; and Canadian Academic Culture; and No more than 5 absences
Oxford House College (Canadian offices only)	English for Academic Purposes (EAP)	70% or higher; and 80% or higher in attendance
University of Alberta	EAP137 (or equivalent)	Completion (pass)
University of Calgary	All three ESL Level 6 courses: ESL610 GW - Academic Grammar & Composition ESL 620 RV - Academic Reading & Vocabulary ESL 630 SL - Academic Speaking & Listening OR Academic Communication Certificate	Passing grade of 85% or higher in each course   Completion (pass)

Are you currently taking one of the courses listed above?

• If you meet a program's admission requirements, you can receive a conditional offer of admission if you are currently enrolled in NAIT’s ESL Level 6 courses or another course listed above. 
  • Note if you’re taking courses from any of the other institutions above, you will need to submit proof of your enrolment, including the end date of your course, to be considered for conditional admission. 

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3. Take an ELP test

Accepted assessment tests

NAIT accepts the following ELP assessment tests and the minimum test score. ELP test results are only valid for two years from the test date.

English Language Proficiency (ELP) test	Minimum accepted test score
IELTS Academic - In-person or IELTS Online NAIT also accepts IELTS One Skill Retake	6.0 in each section
NAIT’s ELP Exam	73% or “B” in each section
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB) or Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Assessment (CLBPA)	8.0 in each section
CAEL or CAEL Online	60 overall score
Cambridge English Language Assessment	B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: 169 in each section
TOEFL iBT; Home Edition is also accepted	Before Jan. 21, 2026: 70 overall score, with a minimum score of 17 in each section On or after Jan. 21, 2026: 4.0 overall score, with a minimum score of 4.0 in each section
Duolingo	115 overall score, with a minimum score of 100 in each integrated subscore.
Michigan English Test (MET)	59 overall score
PTE Academic or PTE Academic online	58 overall score
LanguageCert B2 Communicator Test	38 in each section