Please note: If you are an international student who needs a study permit, apply to the English for Professional and Academic Success (EPAS) program.
Equivalency
If you have completed an English-upgrading course at a post-secondary institution within British Columbia, you can check its equivalency with EPAS courses through the BC Transfer Guide.
Placement test options
There are several ways to qualify for EPAS entry. You must complete at least one of the placement test options or programs listed below to receive course registration approval.
If you have any questions about placement test options, please contact EPAS@bcit.ca.
This computer-based assessment is designed to determine whether an individual’s English language skills meet the entrance requirements for BCIT full-time programs or Communication courses. It is not an assessment designed for beginner/lower-level students. Please do not register for this assessment if your English skills are below the upper-intermediate level. The assessment reflects an individual’s reading comprehension, understanding of appropriate sentence structure, and clarity of written composition.
Students can also take this assessment for placement into our EPAS reading and writing courses only. Your placement level will be dependent on your scores. No placement will be given if you do not pass the test and/or if the minimum requirements are not met. We do not recommend that students retake the assessment if no placement was given the first time.
Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca once they are available. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
The Speaking and Listening assessment is designed to determine whether an individual’s English speaking and listening skills meet the entrance requirements for BCIT full-time programs. It is not an assessment designed for beginner/lower-level students. Please do not register for this assessment if your English skills are below the upper-intermediate level. The assessment is based on the individual’s ability to speak English and understand spoken English effectively.
Students can also take this assessment for placement into our EPAS speaking and listening courses only. Your placement level will be dependent on your test scores. No placement will be given if you do not pass the test and/or if the minimum requirements are not met. We do not recommend that students retake the assessment if no placement was given the first time.
Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca once they are available. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Students who have taken a CLB test within the last 24 months may use their scores for placement into our courses, provided they meet the minimum scores (see chart below). Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Your placement level(s) is based on your lowest scores for each language skill. For example, if you have a 6 in reading but a 5 in writing, we will use your 5 for placement. Our program will accept only test scores taken in-person at a testing center; online self-assessments (OSA) will not be accepted.
NOTE: Students who have completed a LINC program within the last 24 months can also use their CLB scores for placement into all of our courses, assuming the minimum scores are met. Your “recommended class placements” shown on your test results or report card will not be considered.
Please see the chart below for reference.
| EPAS Course | CLB Reading | CLB Writing | CLB Listening | CLB Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Students who have taken the CELPIP General test within the last 24 months may use their scores for course placement, provided they meet the minimum scores (see chart below). Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Your placement level(s) is based on your lowest scores for each language skill. For example, if you have a 6 in reading but a 5 in writing, we will use your 5 for placement.
| EPAS Course | CELPIP Reading | CELPIP Writing | CELIP Listening | CELIP Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Students who have taken the IELTS (academic format only) within the last 24 months may use their scores for course placement, provided they meet the minimum scores (see chart below). The general training format will not be accepted for placement.
Your placement level(s) are based on your average score between reading and writing, as well as your speaking and listening scores. For example, if you receive a 6.0 in reading but a 5.0 in writing, the average score of 5.5 will be used for placement.
Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
| EPAS Course |
IELTS Reading and Writing | IELTS Speaking and Listening |
|---|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
4.5 | 4.5 |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
5.0 | 5.0 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
5.5 | 5.5 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
6.0+ | 6.0+ |
Students who have taken Duolingo (DET) within the last 24 months can send a copy of their test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca for placement consideration. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Your placement level(s) are determined by your overall and production scores. Both scores must meet the minimum requirements outlined in the chart below. If your production score is lower than the minimum score required for each course, you may be offered placement in a lower-level course instead.
| EPAS Course |
Minimum OVERALL Score Required | Minimum PRODUCTION Score Required |
|---|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
65 | 60 |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
80 | 75 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
95 | 90 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
105 | 100 |
Students who have taken the TOEFL (including TOEFL iBT) within the last 24 months may use their scores for placement into our courses, provided they meet the minimum scores (see chart below).
Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
| EPAS Course |
Overall TOEFL Score |
|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
32 |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
35 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
46 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
67 |
Students who have taken the CAEL test within the last 24 months may use their scores for placement into our courses, provided they meet the minimum scores (see chart below).
Please send a copy of your test scores to EPAS@bcit.ca to receive course registration approval. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
| EPAS Course | CAEL Score |
|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
CAEL 30 |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
CAEL 35 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
CAEL 40 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
CAEL 50 |
Students who have taken the PELD program within the last 24 months can have their courses transferred to the EPAS program for course placement. Please send an email and include your BCIT student number to EPAS@bcit.ca to request a course transfer. Your placement level(s) will be based on the last PELD course(s) you have successfully completed.
| EPAS Course |
PELD – Reading & Writing | PELD – Speaking & Listening |
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
COMM 0071 | —- |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
COMM 0003 | —- |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
COMM 0004 | COMM 0029 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
COMM 0005 | COMM 0030 |
Students who have taken the VCC Pathways program within the last 24 months can send their transcripts to EPAS@bcit.ca for course placement. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance. Your placement level(s) will be based on the last Pathways course(s) you have successfully completed.
Please see the chart below.
| EPAS Course |
VCC – Reading & Writing | VCC – Speaking & Listening |
|---|---|---|
| EPAS 0211 (S+L)
EPAS 0251 (R+W) |
—- | —- |
| EPAS 0311 (S+L)
EPAS 0351 (R+W) |
ELSK 520 | ELSK 515 |
| EPAS 0411 (S+L)
EPAS 0451 (R+W) |
ELSK 620 | ELSK 615 |
| EPAS 0511 (S+L)
EPAS 0551 (R+W) |
ELSK 720+ | ELSK 715+ |
Students who have completed the Langara LEAP program within the past 24 months may submit their transcripts to EPAS@bcit.ca for course placement. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance. Your placement level(s) will be based on the last LEAP level(s) you have successfully completed.
Please see the chart below.
| EPAS Course |
LEAP – Reading & Writing | LEAP – Speaking & Listening |
|---|---|---|
| EPAS 0251 (S+L)
EPAS 0211 (R+W) |
LEAP 4 | LEAP 4 |
| EPAS 0351 (S+L)
EPAS 0311 (R+W) |
LEAP 5 | LEAP 5 |
| EPAS 0451 (S+L)
EPAS 0411 (R+W) |
LEAP 6 | LEAP 6 |
| EPAS 0551 (S+L)
EPAS 0511 (R+W) |
LEAP 7 & 8 or LEAP 8 | LEAP 7 & 8 or LEAP 8 |
Students who have completed some or all levels of the ISEP program at BCIT can transfer into our EPAS program without taking any further assessments. Please send an email to EPAS@bcit.ca along with your BCIT student number to request approval.
Follow this guideline for ISEP courses taken before January 2021:
- ISEP Level 4 with 50% or better in each course (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), will place you into EPAS 0351 and EPAS 0311
- ISEP Level 4 with 60% or better in each course (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), will place you into EPAS 0451 and EPAS 0411
- ISEP Level 5 with 50% or better in each course (reading, writing, speaking and listening), will place you into EPAS 0551 and EPAS 0511
Follow this guideline for ISEP courses taken after January 2021:
- TAE 1 with 60% or lower will receive no placement into the EPAS program
- TAE 1 with 60% or higher will place you into EPAS 0251 and EPAS 0211
- TAE 2 with 60% or lower will place you into EPAS 0251 and EPAS 0211
- TAE 2 with 60% or higher will place you into EPAS 0351 and EPAS 0311
- TAE 3 with 60% or lower will place you into EPAS 0351 and EPAS 0311
- TAE 3 with 60% or higher will place you into EPAS 0451 and EPAS 0411
- TAE 4 with 60% or lower will place you into EPAS 0451 and EPAS 0411
- TAE 4 with 60% or higher will place you into EPAS 0551 and EPAS 0511
- TAE 5 with 50% or higher will place you into EPAS 0551 and EPAS 0511
If you have completed English 12 in Canada but do not have the right grades to register for a full- or part-time BCIT program, you will be given approval to register for the next available reading and writing (EPAS 0551) and/or speaking and listening (EPAS 0511) courses. Completion of both courses is equivalent to English 12; however, for students who already speak English as their native language, you may take the COMM 0033 speaking and listening assessment. If your test scores meet direct entry requirements, you will not need to take EPAS 0511 for further upgrading.
Please send a copy of your high school transcript to EPAS@bcit.ca to receive course registration approval. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Students who have completed a post-secondary degree or diploma in an English-speaking country, but do not have the grades to enter into a full- or part-time program, can submit their transcripts to EPAS@bcit.ca. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.
Please send a copy of your transcript to EPAS@bcit.ca if you qualify for our program. You will also need to include your BCIT student number. New students without a student number can either create one or call the Registration office at 604-434-1610 for assistance.