English Language Proficiency

BCIT has revised the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements, effective October 1st, 2023. If you are applying to a full-time September 2024 intake, a Flexible Learning program, or a trades program with a rolling start date, please refer to the ELP categories listed below. If you are applying to a full-time technology Winter 2024 or Spring 2024 intake, refer to the information provided on our Legacy English Requirements page. Please see your program’s Entrance Requirements page to confirm the level of English required.

English is the language used for instruction and communication at BCIT. All applicants and registrants, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin, must demonstrate a satisfactory level of English proficiency. This proficiency requirement ensures that all students have the necessary language skills to succeed in their chosen courses and programs. The assessment of English Language Proficiency (ELP) is based on the categories listed below.

If your program requires Category 1, you must meet at least one of the English Language Proficiency assessments listed below.

Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program you’re applying to.

Assessment	Score/Mark
English Studies 12 or English First People 12 or Acceptable equivalent high school course	73%

BCIT English Competency Assessment: COMM 0015 – English Competency Assessment and* COMM 0033 – English Speaking and Listening Assessment	80%

COMM 1009 – Technical Writing: Definitions, Instructions and Process Descriptions	73%

COMM 1103 – Introduction to Business and Technical Communication	73%

COMM 1106 – Introduction to Business and Technical Communication (With Language Development Component)	73%

BCIT Professional English Language Development (PELD): COMM 0030 – Speaking and Listening Skills for EAL Students 2 and* COMM 0005 – Technical Communication Skills for EAL Students 4	80%

COMM 0007 – Introductory Communication for Technology Entry and COMM 0016 – Communication with ELT	73% S

BCIT Technical Academic English (TAE) 5 International Student Entry Program (ISEP)	70%
* means minimum grades for each course must be achieved.

Articulated EAP courses	80% or A-

3.0 credits of post-secondary English, Humanities or Social Sciences from an English speaking institution	73%

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test	80 overall band score with no component below 70

Cambridge Assessment English BCIT ISEP Online test (Cambridge Linguaskill)	C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with minimum overall score of 185

Duolingo English Test	130 overall No subscore less than 105

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Note: IELTS Academic Only	Overall score 7 No band less than 6.0

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Overall score 65 No skill score less than 60

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) BCIT Destination code: 9110	Overall score 90 No section score less than 20

If your program requires Category 2, you must meet at least one of the English Language Proficiency assessments listed below.

Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program you’re applying to.

Assessment	Score/Mark
English Studies 12 or English First People 12 or Acceptable equivalent high school course	67%

BCIT English Competency Assessment: COMM 0015 – English Competency Assessment and* COMM 0033 – English Speaking and Listening Assessment	70%

COMM 1009 – Technical Writing: Definitions, Instructions and Process Descriptions	67%

COMM 1106 – Introduction to Business and Technical Communication (With Language Development Component)	67%

BCIT Professional English Language Development (PELD): COMM 0030 – Speaking and Listening Skills for EAL Students 2 and* COMM 0005 – Technical Communication Skills for EAL Students 4	70%

COMM 0007 – Introductory Communication for Technology Entry and COMM 0016 – Communication with ELT	67% S

BCIT Technical Academic English (TAE) 5 International Student Entry Program (ISEP)	60%
* means minimum grades for each course must be achieved.

Articulated EAP courses	70% or B

3.0 credits of post-secondary English, Humanities or Social Sciences from an English speaking institution	67%

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test	70 overall band score with no component below 60

Cambridge Assessment English BCIT ISEP Online test (Cambridge Linguaskill)	B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with minimum overall score of 176

Duolingo English Test	120 overall No subscore less than 95

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Note: IELTS Academic Only	Overall score 6.5 No band less than 5.5

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Overall score 60 No skill score less than 60

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) BCIT Destination code: 9110	Overall score 86 No section score less than 20
BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment	The BCIT Trades Entry Assessment (English) can be used as a measure of English proficiency for certain trades programs. Please refer to the program entrance requirements for details.

If your program requires Category 3, you must meet at least one of the English Language Proficiency assessments listed below.

Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program you’re applying to.

Assessment	Score/Mark
English Studies 12 or English First People 12 or Acceptable equivalent high school course	50%

BCIT English Competency Assessment: COMM 0015 – English Competency Assessment and* COMM 0033 – English Speaking and Listening Assessment	50%

COMM 1009 – Technical Writing: Definitions, Instructions and Process Descriptions	50%

BCIT Professional English Language Development (PELD): COMM 0030 – Speaking and Listening Skills for EAL Students 2 and* COMM 0005 – Technical Communication Skills for EAL Students 4	50%

COMM 0007 – Introductory Communication for Technology Entry and COMM 0016 – Communication with ELT	50% S

BCIT Technical Academic English (TAE) 5 International Student Entry Program (ISEP)	50%
or
BCIT Technical Academic English (TAE) 4 International Student Entry Program (ISEP)	60%
* means minimum grades for each course must be achieved.


Articulated EAP courses	50% or C

3.0 credits of post-secondary English, Humanities or Social Sciences from an English speaking institution	50%

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test	60 overall band score with no component below 50

Cambridge Assessment English BCIT ISEP Online test (Cambridge Linguaskill)	B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with minimum overall score of 169

Duolingo English Test	105 overall No subscore less than 80

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Note: IELTS Academic Only	Overall score 6.0 No band less than 5.0

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Overall score 52 No skill score less than 50

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) BCIT Destination code: 9110	Overall score 82 No section score less than 19
BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment	The BCIT Trades Entry Assessment (English) can be used as a measure of English proficiency for certain trades programs. Please refer to the program entrance requirements for details.

If you are applying to a graduate studies program, you must meet at least one of the English Language Proficiency assessments listed below.

Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program you’re applying to.

Assessment	Score/Mark
English Studies 12 or English First People 12 or Acceptable equivalent high school course	67%

BCIT English Competency Assessment: COMM 0015 – English Competency Assessment and* COMM 0033 – English Speaking and Listening Assessment	70%

BCIT Professional English Language Development (PELD): COMM 0030 – Speaking and Listening Skills for EAL Students 2 and* COMM 0005 – Technical Communication Skills for EAL Students 4	70%

COMM 0007 – Introductory Communication for Technology Entry and COMM 0016 – Communication with ELT	67% S

BCIT Technical Academic English (TAE) 5 International Student Entry Program (ISEP)	60%
* means minimum grades for each course must be achieved.

Articulated EAP courses	70% or B

3.0 credits of post-secondary English, Humanities or Social Sciences from an English speaking institution	67%

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test	70 overall band score with no component below 60

Cambridge Assessment English BCIT ISEP Online test (Cambridge Linguaskill)	B2 First or C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with minimum overall score of 176

Duolingo English Test	120 overall No subscore less than 95

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Note: IELTS Academic Only	Overall score 6.5 No band less than 6.0

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Overall score 60 No skill score less than 60

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) BCIT Destination code: 9110	Overall score 86 No section score less than 20

English Language Proficiency

Notice to applicants

Category 1 – English Studies 12 (73%) or equivalent

Category 2 – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent

Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent

Graduate Studies – English Studies 12 (67%) or equivalent