English Language Proficiency Requirement Policy
Classification: Academic
Responsible: Student Academic Advisors and Director(s) of Student Recruitment and Admissions
Executive Sponsor: Vice President, Global and Vice President, Operations and Academics
Approval Authority: Robertson College Leadership Team
Date First Approved: June 1, 2020
Date Last Reviewed: March 24, 2025
Scheduled Review Date: June 25, 2027, or as needed
A. PURPOSE
The English Language Proficiency Requirement Policy is required to ensure that students have the necessary English level to be successful in their Robertson program of choice
B. SCOPE
This Policy applies to all students who are English as a Second or Additional LanguageLanguage learners. A student may self-identify as an English Language Learner or be deemed an English Language Learner by a Student Admissions Advisor as described in section C below.
C. DEFINITIONS
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Word/Term
Definition
Student A Student is an individual who has applied for admission, is currently enrolled, or has previously been a student at Robertson College
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English Language Proficiency
The study of the English language by non-native speakers in an English speaking environment
English Language Learner (ELL)
The ability to use the English language to make and communicate meaning in spoken language and written contexts.
An ELL is a student who does not have English as a primary language and who may require English language teaching and support while pursuing academic studies. An ELL can be defined as any of the following:
- Permanent Residents from non-English exempt countries
- New Canadian Citizens from non-English exempt countries
- Learners from French-speaking communities
- Students from Indigenous communities whereby an Indigenous language or English as a Second Dialect is the means of communication
- International Students from non-English exempt countries.
D. POLICY
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1 Rationale
The language of instruction at Robertson is English The practicum sites that students are placed in also use English as the primary medium of communication Therefore, students must have a level of proficiency in English that allows them to actively participate in all aspects of their program
This Policy applies to students who are English Language Learners To meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement for Robertson programs, students must provide proof of English Language Proficiency as outlined in section 2 below. Students will not be admitted into their program of choice until they have met the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
This policy does not apply to Robertson’s accredited programs (PT, MLA, HCA Alberta), as the accreditation body sets the English Language Requirement for these programs. Please refer to the accreditation requirements for required language levels and accepted standardized test types for accredited programs
2. English Language Proficiency Requirement: Standardized Assessment and Course Options
The following English language tests are accepted at Robertson College a proof of English Language Proficiency
Test Name: IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Requirement/Score: 6.0 overall in the General or Academic version.
Test Name: Canadian Language Benchmark
Requirement/Score: level 7 in speaking, listening, reading and writing
*Level 7, 7, 7, 7 as it appears on an English as a Second or Additional Language course progress report from a Canadian, federally funded language training program.
*Level 6, 6, 6, 6 as it appears on a Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) certificate
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*Note: A LINC certificate shows completed CLB levels. A progress report from a federally funded language training course shows levels "in progress"
Test Name: CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
Requirement/Score: Level 7 in speaking, listening, reading and writing
Test Name: Duolingo Assessment
Requirement/Score: Min score of 95-105
*A Duolingo assessment result is not accepted by some accreditation bodies for specific Robertson programs Prospective students are encouraged to consult with their Student Admissions Advisor
Test Name: Occupational English Test (OET)
Requirement/Score: Score of C (minimum 250) overall
*This test will only be accepted for selected programs in the School of Health Prospective students are encouraged to consult with their Student Admissions Advisor.
Course Name: Robertsons Level 4: Upper Intermediate English Language Course
Requirement/Score: Minimum 70% grade
* English language courses from partner institutions may also be considered for meeting Roberton’s English Language Requirement.
**Results from other standardized tests may be accepted. If an applicant has presented results for a test not listed above, please inquire with the Education Team.
**Expired test results will not be considered Typically, test scores are valid for two years from the test date
3. English Language Requirement Exemptions
English Language Learners may not be required to submit a standardized test score as above if they can provide documentation indicating they have met one of the following conditions.
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A Ten consecutive years of residency in Canada
B One year of full-time education in English at an English high school, college or university in Canada (high school courses cannot be EAL designated)
C Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada; the program of study must have involved at least one year of full-time study in English
D Degree or diploma from an international, post-secondary institution that utilizes a Canadian curriculum (See Appendix B); the program of study must have involved at least one year of full-time study in English.
E. Graduation from an English, Canadian high school with at least one grade 12 English Language Arts credit; for provincial course codes, please see Appendix A.
F. Graduation from a high school outside of Canada that utilizes a Canadian curriculum with at least one Grade 12 English credit (as in Appendix A) or;
G Proof of origin as being from an English exempt country (as below):
A - Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Austria
B - Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Bermuda, Belize, Botswana, British Solomon Island, British West Indies
C - Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Christmas Islands, Cook Island
D - Denmark, Dominica
E - Ellice Island, England, Eire
F - Faeroe Island, Falkland Island, Fiji Island, Finland
G - Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Gilbert Island, Grenada, Guam, Guyana
I - Ireland, Island of Man (Great Britain)
J - Jamaica
K - Kenya, Kiribati
L - Leeward Islands, Lesotho, Luxembourg
M - Malta, Malawi, Mauritius
N - Namibia, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Ireland, Norway
P - Pitcairn Islands, Philippines
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S - Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland
T - Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island
U - Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America
V – Virgin Islands (UK and US A)
W – Wake-Midway Island, Wales, Windward Islands
Z – Zimbabwe, Zambia
E. RELATED LEGISLATION
None
F. PROCEDURE
Action
1. Determination of English Language Learner Status
An applicant who expresses interest in a Robertson Program may self-identify as an English Language Learner during the application process If an applicant does not self-identify, the SAA is responsible for determining if the student would be defined as an ELL based on the definition in section 3 above.
2. Submission of Documentation
An applicant who is defined as an ELL must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement by providing a standardized test score demonstrating they have met one of the conditions outlined in section 2 as above.
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Responsibility
Student Admissions Advisor/Student
Student Admissions Advisor/Student
3. Inability to Provide Documentation
Students who are unable to provide a standardized test score or sufficient documentation of meeting a condition of exemption must be advised to take a standardized English Language Proficiency test.
Students who provide a test score that is slightly below the requirement listed in section 2 above may still be eligible for their program of choice (i.e. an applicant provides a progress report with a Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in one or some of the four skill areasreading, writing, speaking and listening - but not in all four). In these instances, the SAA is to consult with the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for final decision. The Director of Recruitment and Admissions may consult with the Director responsible for the School to which the applicant has applied to for final decision
*Please note that this does not apply to accredited programs, as all students must meet the English Language Requirement specified by the accreditation body; there are no exceptions
G. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Student Admissions Advisor/Student
Student Admissions Advisor
Provincial English Language Arts Equivalencies (Appendix A)
English Language Proficiency Requirement Information (Appendix B)
H. RELATED POLICIES
Admissions Policy
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I. POLICY AUTHORITY
The Vice President, Operations and Academics, is responsible for this policy. Questions regarding the interpretation of this policy should be directed to robertsonpolicies@robertsoncollege.ca
J. POLICY HISTORY
Change Made Version Number Signing Authority Date of Signature
OET Assessment
Added; Sections I and J added. 3.0
Terena Caryk VP, Operations, and Academics
Julian Hallett, VP, Workforce
Scott Murray, VP, Growth
March 24, 2025
Minor Revisions Made.
Terena Caryk VP, Product and Operations
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March 7, 2022
Belinda Loschiavo VP, Global
Jason Locke VP, Business Development
Terena Caryk VP, Operations and Academics
Policy initially approved 1.0
Terena Caryk VP, Product and Operations
Belinda Loschiavo VP, Global
Jason Locke VP, Business Development
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June 1, 2020
Appendix A
Provincial English Language Arts Equivalencies
Below are the grade 12 English course codes for each province that will be accepted as outlined in Section 3:
o Manitoba:
▪ English-ELA40S (Comprehensive Focus, Literary Focus or Transactional)
▪ Focus accepted; the course can not be ‘EAL’ (E) designated or
▪ English-ELA40G
o Alberta:
▪ English Language Arts 30-1
▪ English Language Arts 30-2
o Ontario
▪ English ENG4U
▪ Studies in Literature ETS4U
▪ Anglais EAE4U
▪ OAC English
o Saskatchewan
▪ ELA (English) A30 and B30
▪ ELA (English) A31 and B31 Literature 30
o New Brunswick
▪ English 121 or 122
▪ Anglais 126B
▪ English 123
o Newfoundland
▪ ELA-English 3201 Thematic Literature 3201
▪ English 3202 Literacy Heritage 3202
o British Columbia
▪ English or English Language Arts 12
▪ English 12 First Peoples (EFP)
▪ English Literature 12
▪ Communications 12
▪ Technical and Professional Communications 12
o Nova Scotia
▪ English 12: Academic or Advanced
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▪ English 12: African Heritage
▪ English/Communications 12
o PEI
▪ English 611A
▪ English 621A
▪ English 631A
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Appendix B
English Language Proficiency Requirement Information
a. Standardized English Language Proficiency Assessment Types
Please find the equivalencies for the most common standardized English Language Proficiency Assessments below
b. English Exempt International Institutions
● As outlined in section D2 above, applicants have met the English Language Proficiency Requirement if they can provide a transcript from an international, post-secondary institution that utilizes a Canadian curriculum; the program of study must have involved at least one year of full-time study in English
● Students who have attended one of the post-secondary institutions listed on the University of Alberta’s English Language Exemption website are exempt from meeting the English Language Requirement; therefore, they do not have to provide proof of English Language Proficiency. The website can be found here:
https://www.ualberta.ca/graduate-studies/prospective-students/internationaladmissions-protocol/english-language-proficiency/recognized-countries-instit utions
● Institutions not listed on the University of Alberta’s website may still be considered Please check with the Teaching and Learning team
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