English Proficiency Requirements
All classes at Beta College, including lectures, seminars, and labs, are taught in English. So it’s important for students to have good English skills in writing, speaking, and understanding the language. This will help them succeed in their academic studies and any work-related experiences they may have as part of the program, like co-op placements.
If English is not a student’s native language or if they have previously studied in a different language, they must show proficiency in English by taking and submitting the results of ONE of the following assessment tests at the appropriate level for their desired program(s):
- To be eligible for any program level, a candidate must have completed a minimum of two years of full-time study in an English language school system in a country where English is considered the primary language, or the primary language of instruction and evaluation is English, with passing grades in all English courses.
- In order to reach any program level, it is required to have successfully completed a minimum of two years of study in either an accredited university degree program or an accredited college diploma program in a country where English is the primary language of instruction, or in a postsecondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction.
- Scores from an English proficiency test administered by one of the recognized international language testing organizations must be submitted. The test must have been taken within the past 24 months to be considered valid for academic programs. Scores from tests taken for the purpose of placement into English for Academic Purposes must also have been taken within the last 24 months. Please see the minimum required scores below.
*Please note that for certain programs, a higher score may be necessary for admission, in addition to meeting the minimum score requirements mentioned above.
As of the September 2023 application cycle for the Pharmacy Technician diploma program, the Duolingo Language Test will no longer be considered a valid English proficiency examination for admission purposes.
Please be advised that scores on standardized English language tests may differ depending on the program, and they are only considered valid for 24 months from the date of testing to the start of the program. Tests taken for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) placement purposes are considered valid within the last 24 months.
Beta College reserves the right to require the successful completion of a language proficiency test that meets the requirements of the specific program.
If French is an applicant’s first language, they must provide transcripts showing that they have completed three years of English in a Canadian secondary school or equivalent in order to be exempt from standardized testing requirements.
If English is a student’s first language but their writing skills do not meet the standards required for college-level academic English, domestic students are encouraged to consider Academic Upgrading.
For domestic applicants who have studied at institutions outside of Canada, a credential assessment is mandatory prior to admission evaluation. Beta College suggests ICAS Canada for programs requiring a course-by-course assessment, and either ICAS Canada or World Education Services (WES) for programs only requiring a credential level evaluation. Please be aware that a fee will be charged for the credential evaluation.
It is important to note that applicants to the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Nursing Second Entry programs at the University of New Brunswick must provide a course-by-course evaluation from World Education Services (WES).
To rank applicants based on their grades and ensure that they have met specific course requirements, some programs necessitate either a course-by-course or a comprehensive assessment. However, general assessments do not offer this level of detail. Hence, applicants who apply for transfer credits or advanced standing must provide credential evaluations. Since general assessments lack the necessary details, course-by-course assessments are typically required.
Students applying to a program that mandates proof of completion of a specific credential or an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or its equivalent, along with a minimum of either English or math courses, may find a General Assessment to be sufficient. In some instances, additional testing may be necessary, which would incur additional testing fees. For clarification on the appropriate assessment, students should consult with the Admissions Officer in charge of their program.
