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Admissions  

English Language Proficiency

Official language

The official language of instruction at NAIT is English. As such, you will need to meet certain English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for admission and to be successful in your studies.

The following details the ways through which you can prove your English proficiency meets NAIT requirements.

Previous academic study

Official transcripts showing previous academic studies in English must be submitted along with your application.

If you have completed 3 years of full-time consecutive academic studies where the language of instruction was in English - excluding English as a Second Language (ESL) courses - from a country not included on the Exempt Country list, then additional information is required.

Download the list of exempted countries for the 2019-20 admissions cycle (pdf)

Full-time study for English Language Proficiency purposes is defined as successfully completing 3 courses per term for 6 terms over a span of 3 years.

Current students

Current Alberta high school students can request official high school transcripts and detailed academic reports which can be used as a proof of enrolment, or a myPass Letter through myPass. These documents can be used to prove ELP.

Letter submission

  • The letter must show the actual start and end dates of study and indicate completion of study for 3 or more consecutive years

  • The letter must be on official educational institution letterhead

  • The letter must be signed and dated by an official at the educational institute

If you completed three years of full-time consecutive academic studies (excluding ESL courses) where the language of instruction was in English from a country included on the Exempt Country list above, you may choose to submit a letter from your educational institute (with the same requirements as above) in lieu of submitting transcripts to meet the English Language Proficiency guidelines.

English Language Arts 30-1 completion

If you have successfully completed English Language Arts 30-1 or an equivalent course within Canada with a minimum grade of 75%,  you will satisfy the English Language Proficiency requirements.

One university level English course (3 credits) with a minimum grade of 75% or an AP English course with a minimum grade of 65% may be used as a substitute. English Language Arts 30-2 (or an equivalent course), or any equivalency testing cannot be used in lieu of English Language Proficiency.

Read more about provincial equivalences to English Language Arts 30-1

Please note: The Office of the Registrar reserves the right to request additional proof of English Language Proficiency through your MyNAIT Portal.

Formal assessment (ESL examination)

If you are unable to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement through proof of previous academic study, a formal assessment is required. Exams are valid for 2 years after the test date.

Accepted exams and scores vary by program. Visit your program page to see the accepted exams and required scores for applicants without 3 years of consecutive, full-time academic study where the language of instruction was in English.

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Health Science

Programs

  • Animal Health Technology
  • Laboratory & X-ray Combined
  • Dental Assisting Technology
  • Dental Technology
  • Denturist Technology
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Emergency Medical Technology – Paramedic
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Laboratory Assisting
  • Medical Laboratory Technology
  • Medical Radiologic Technology
  • Veterinary Medical Assistant

English Language Proficiency

For the programs listed above, ELP can be met with ONE of the following exams:

  1. NAIT English Language Proficiency Exam
    Minimum 75% or higher in each of the four components
  2. NAIT’s Level 6 Courses NEAP611, NEAP621 and NEAP631
    Successful completion of all 3 courses with 60% or higher in each course
  3. Completion of the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB)
    with minimum test scores for each component
    • 8 in the Speaking component
    • 8 in the Reading component
    • 8 in the Listening component
    • 8 in the Writing component
  4. IELTS (Academic Format)
    with minimum band scores for each component
    • 6.5 in the Speaking component
    • 6.0 in the Reading component
    • 6.0 in the Listening component
    • 6.0 in the Writing component
  5. TOEFL IBT (Internet Based)
    • 23 in the Speaking component
    • 20 in the Reading component
    • 20 in the Listening component
    • 20 in the Writing component

Medical Transcription

English Language Proficiency

For the Medical Transcription program, ELP can be met with ONE of the following exams:

  1. NAIT English Language Proficiency Exam
    Minimum 75% or higher in each of the four components
  2. NAIT’s Level 6 Courses NEAP611, NEAP621 and NEAP631
    Successful completion of all 3 courses with 60% or higher in each course
  3. IELTS (Academic Format)
    with minimum band scores for each component
    • 6.5 in the Speaking component
    • 6.0 in the Reading component
    • 6.0 in the Listening component
    • 6.0 in the Writing component
  4. TOEFL IBT (Internet Based)
    • 23 in the Speaking component
    • 20 in the Reading component
    • 20 in the Listening component
    • 20 in the Writing component

Respiratory Therapy

English Language Proficiency

For the Respiratory Therapy program, ELP can be met with ONE of the following exams:

  1. Completion of the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB)
    with minimum test scores for each component
    • 9 in the Speaking component
    • 9 in the Reading component
    • 9 in the Listening component
    • 9 in the Writing component
  2. Completion of IELTS (Academic Format)
    with minimum band scores for each component
    • 8.0 in the Listening component
    • 7.0 in the Reading component
    • 7.0 in the Speaking component
    • 7.0 in the Writing component
  3. Completion of TOEFL IBT (Internet Based)
    • 23 in the Speaking component
    • 24 in the Reading component
    • 28 in the Listening component
    • 27 in the Writing component

Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology

English Language Proficiency

For the Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology program, ELP can be met with ONE of the following exams:

  1. NAIT’s Level 6 Courses NEAP611, NEAP621 and NEAP631
    Successful completion of all 3 courses with 60% or higher in each course
  2. Completion of the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB)
    with minimum test scores for each component
    • 8 in the Speaking component
    • 8 in the Reading component
    • 8 in the Listening component
    • 8 in the Writing component
  3. IELTS (Academic Format)
    with the minimum band scores for each component
    • 6.5 in the Speaking component
    • 6.0 in the Reading component
    • 6.0 in the Listening component
    • 6.0 in the Writing component
  4. TOEFL IBT (Internet Based)
    • 23 in the Speaking component
    • 20 in the Reading component
    • 20 in the Listening component
    • 20 in the Writing component

Business Administration with English as a Second Language

English Language Proficiency

For the Business Administration with English as a Second Language program, ELP can be met with ONE of the following:

  1. Completion of NAIT ESL Level 4
    Minimum grade of 73%
  2. NAIT's English Placement Test
    Minimum score of Level 5
  3. IELTS (Academic Format)
    5.5 Overall Band Score – with the following in each component
    • 5.5 in the Speaking component
    • 5.5 in the Reading component
    • 5.5 in the Listening component
    • 5.5 in the Writing component
  4. Pearson Test of English - Academic
    • Overall score of minimum 50
  5. TOEFL IBT (Internet Based)
    • Overall score of minimum 74

All other NAIT programs

English Language Proficiency

For all other programs, ELP can be met with ONE of the following exams:

  1. NAIT English Language Proficiency Exam
    Minimum 73% or “B” in each of the four components
  2. NAIT’s Level 6 Courses NEAP611, NEAP621 and NEAP631
    Successful completion of all 3 courses with 60% or higher in each course
  3. IELTS (Academic Format)
    with minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no band less than 5.0
  4. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
    • Minimum score of 70
  5. Completion of the Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB)
    with minimum test scores for each component
    • 8 in the Speaking component
    • 8 in the Reading component
    • 8 in the Listening component
    • 8 in the Writing component
  6. Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
    Minimum score of 85
  7. Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
    Minimum overall score of 55
  8. TOEFL
    • TOEFL IBT (Internet Based)
      Minimum total score of 80 with no individual component below 20
    • TOEFL Paper Based
      Minimum Score of 550
  9. University of Alberta
    Successful Completion of ESL140 and ESL145, which is now equivalent to EAP140 and EAP145

Learn more about NAIT's English Language Proficiency test

Admissions  

English as a Second Language learning options

Need to brush up on your English language skills before you apply to NAIT? Explore our English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and courses.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Take your first step to academic success with NAIT's ESL classes.