How to meet the English requirements
At Okanagan College admission requirements are program specific. Be sure to check your program admissions requirements for the level of English required.
| Secondary School Level Courses British Columbia, Yukon | Minimum: |
|---|---|
| English 11 | 60% |
| Composition 11 | 60% |
| Creative Writing 11 | 60% |
| Literary Studies 11 | 60% |
| New Media 11 | 60% |
| Spoken Language 11 | 60% |
| English Literature 11 | 60% |
| English 11 First Peoples | 60% |
| EFP Literary Studies | 60% |
| EFP Literary Studies and New Media 11 | 60% |
| EFP Literary Studies and Spoken Language 11 | 60% |
| Advanced Level Adult Basic Education English course equivalent | 60% |
| Secondary School Level Courses Canada and Other | Minimum: |
|---|---|
| Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut: English Language Arts 20-1 or English 20 | 60% |
| Saskatchewan: English 20 | 60% |
| Manitoba: Please inquire | 60% |
| Ontario: ENG3U | 60% |
| Quebec: 1 English Literature courses in 500 series | 60% |
| New Brunswick: English 112 | 60% |
| Prince Edward Island: English 521A | 60% |
| Nova Scotia: Please inquire | 60% |
| Newfoundland & Labrador: Please inquire | 60% |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) English A1 or A2 (higher-level or standard-level) | 3 |
| Advanced Placement (AP) English Language & Composition or English Literature & Composition | 3 |
| O-level, AS-Level, A-Level, GCSE, IGCSE English Language or Literature course | C |
Applicants whose first language is not English and who do not meet the English admission requirements via one of the means listed in the following sections:
should refer to the College's admission requirements for Applicants Whose First Language is not English.
These alternatives do not apply to the Health Care Assistant Certificate; please see the program page for the English requirements.
| Okanagan College Courses and Tests | Minimum: |
|---|---|
| Okanagan College Adult Basic Education ENGL 011 or ENGL 080 or both ENGL 081 and 082 | 60% |
| OCELA (Okanagan College English Language Assessment) This test is only administered by the ESL department and is for students entering the ESL program at the Kelowna campus. |
75 in each: Writing, Reading & Discussion |
| Okanagan College English for Academic Purposes: Prior to September 2021: EAPD 040 (Academic Discussion Skills 4) and EAPW 040 (Academic Writing Skills 4) and EAPR 040 (Academic Reading Skills 4). As of September 2021: EAPD 030 (Academic Discussion Skills 4) and EAPW 030 (Academic Writing Skills 4) and EAPR 030 (Academic Reading Skills 4), and EAPS 030 ((Academic Reading and Writing Skills 3) |
60% in each |
| Language Tests | Minimum: |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS - academic version) | Overall band score of 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0) |
| *Language Proficiency Index (LPI) – Essay Score | 24/40 - Level 4 |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)1 |
79 (Internet-based), or 213 (computer-based), or 550 (paper-based) |
| Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL online or CAEL CE) | Overall score 50 |
| Canadian Language Benchmark Placement Test (CLB PT) |
Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 6, and Writing 6 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) | Overall score 58 No Communicative Skills score lower than 55 |
| Duolingo English Test For the Winter, Summer and Fall 2022 terms, and Winter and Summer 2023 terms, the Duolingo English Test results can be used to satisfy the English language proficiency entrance requirements and for preliminary English Language placement. Not accepted as a means to meet the English admissions requirement for some of the Health programs. Please check with the College for details. |
Overall score 105 (with no sub score less than 100) |
Note: We will accept test results taken no more than two years before you apply to Okanagan College with the exception of the LPI which does not have a time limit.
* The LPI Test is no longer offered as of July 31, 2020. However, Okanagan College will accept results received up to June 2022 for tests taken at any time. Approved alternatives are available. Please consult academic entrance requirements.
| University Level Courses & Credentials | Minimum: |
|---|---|
| English literature or composition course at an accredited university or college in Canada | 50% |
| Three credits (or the equivalent) of post-secondary first-year English studies at an accredited university in an English-speaking country | 50% |
|
Recognized Bachelor degree program at an accredited university at which English is the primary language of instruction in a country2 where English is the principal language. Applicants who have successfully completed a degree from an accredited institution at which English is the language of instruction in a country where English is not the principal language may submit their academic transcript for review by Okanagan College. Subject to verification, this degree may be used to meet the English requirement for admission to Okanagan College. |
Graduation |
Other courses, tests and means to satisfy requirements may be considered on an individual basis. For inquiries, please contact Okanagan College Admissions admissions@okanagan.bc.ca or (250) 762-5445.
Okanagan College Calendar: Printed 10/27/2021