Proof of English Proficiency

All applicants must be fluent enough in English to understand instructors and the technical language used in their subject area. The following is a list of English proficiency assessments recognized for admission to our programs. Test results must be dated within the past two years.

If you’re applying through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) program, please note the following test scores:

IELTS (International English Language Testing System Academic): 6.0 overall band score, with no band lower than 6.0
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test): Minimum overall score of 60
PTE (Pearson Test of English Academic): Minimum overall score of 60
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language iBT): Minimum overall score of 83

For programs listing a higher test requirement, the higher score will be required for admissions. Priority for admission will be given to those who meet SDS requirements. Review the list of eligible SDS countries on the SDS website. Please note, only IELTS is eligible if the application was received prior to August 10, 2023. Only in-person format to be accepted for the SDS.

English Language Test	St. Lawrence College Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma programs	St. Lawrence College Fast-Track, Graduate Certificate, and Degree programs	Laurentian University Collaborative Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic	Overall 6.0 with no band less than 6.0	Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0	6.5 with no band less than 6.0
TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT) or Home Edition	78	83	88
TOEFL Computer-based Test	213	220	230
TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT)	N/A	N/A	570
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL. In-person or Online)	Overall 60	Overall 60	Overall 70 with no part below 60
EIKEN (Test in Practical English Proficiency) Note: Students from India are not eligible to submit the results of this test as proof of English proficiency.	Pre-1	Pre-1	Not accepted
The Michigan English Test Note: Students from India are not eligible to submit the results of this test as proof of English proficiency.	Overall 58 with no individual score below 56 ECCE/ECPE 650 or higher	Overall 62 with no individual score below 60 ECCE/ECPE 650 or higher	80
Pearson Test of English -Academic (Online & In-person)	60	63	63
Cambridge English Proficiency Note: Students from India are not eligible to submit the results of this test as proof of English proficiency.	173	180	180
Duolingo (Temporarily accepted) Note: International applicants from India are not eligible to submit Duolingo results as proof of English proficiency. * Students have to send their Duolingo results directly to SLC through their Duolingo online portal	Overall 110 with no sub score less than 85	Overall 120 with no sub score less than 95	Not Applicable

Integrated English On-Campus Program (ESL)

If you do not meet the proof of English proficiency requirements, we offer English upgrading with an academic focus. Please click the link for more information about our IEOC program.

English Pathway Partners

Countries where English is an official language

The language of instruction at St. Lawrence College is English. All students admitted to St. Lawrence College must meet a minimum level of English Language proficiency. There are multiple ways that this condition can be met. The primary way is through completion of a Standardized English test, such as the Academic IELTS, TOEFL, CAEL, PTE, etc. or completion of the St. Lawrence College IEOC program. You may be exempt from the Academic IELTS/TOEFL and IEOC Program requirements if you meet any of the conditions on the list below.

St. Lawrence College recognizes English as the official language of instruction in a number of countries. Applicants with credentials from these countries may be considered to have met the English Language Requirement.

Depending on specific program requirements, applicants may be requested to provide additional proof of English proficiency at the discretion of the admissions coordinator.

International Applicants may be exempt from submitting English Proficiency test scores if they have:

	Certificate programs	Diploma and advanced Diploma programs	Degree programs (including Practical Nursing and Social Service Worker programs)	Graduate Certificate Programs
Required Level of English Completion for English Proficiency Test Exempt Countries	Successful completion of Grade 12 High School English	Successful completion of Grade 12 High School English	Successful completion of Grade 12 High School English with an equivalent grade of 70% or higher	Successful completion of a postsecondary level English course or completion of a postsecondary credential that is at least one year in length, full time

Completed an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or Canadian provincial equivalent) and English credit (Grade 12 U, M or C) issued by a Canadian school board.
Graduated from an authorized St. Lawrence College ESL pathway program.
Successfully completed the St. Lawrence College IEOC program.

	Countries
A	Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia
B	Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands
C	Canada, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands
D	Dominica
F	Falkland Islands, Fiji
G	Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana
I	Ireland
J	Jamaica
K	Kenya, Kiribati
L	Lesotho, Liberia
M	Malawi, Malta, Mauritius
N	Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria
P	Papua New Guinea, Philippines
S	St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland
T	Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos
U	Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales), United States of America
Z	Zambia, Zimbabwe

St. Lawrence College reserves the right to request the results of a language test at any time and to refuse a language test exemption request.

English Language Partner Institutions	Requirement for entering St. Lawrence College Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs	Requirement for entering St. Lawrence College Fast-Track, Graduate Certificate and Degree programs (Please inquire for Laurentian University Collaborative programs partner institutions)
Queen’s University School of English	Advanced Level Certificate or higher	Advanced Level Certificate or higher
Canadian College of English Language	Certificate and Diploma: Level 140 with a minimum grade of 60% Advanced Diploma: Level 145 with a minimum grade of 60%	Level 145 with a minimum grade of 60%
Centre for English Studies	Successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes program with a minimum overall grade of 75%	Successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes program with a minimum grade of 80%
English School of Canada (ESC)	Successful completion of the University College Transfer Program (UCTP) with an overall grade of 70%	Successful completion of the University College Transfer Program (UCTP) with an overall grade of 80%
Hansa Language Centre	Successful completion of EAP: Level 9 with an overall grade of 80% or higher	Successful completion of EAP: Level 10 with an overall grade of 80% or higher
Heartland International English School	Successful completion of Advanced 1 (Level 4) with an overall grade of 80%	Successful completion of Advanced 2 (level 5) with an overall grade of 80%
ILSC Canada (Vancouver, Toronto & Montreal)	Successful completion of the Academic Level: A1 with a minimum grade of B	Successful completion of the Academic Level: A2 with a minimum grade of B
International Centre for English Academic Preparation (Toronto)	Successful completion of the Bridge Program/Level 7 with a minimum overall grade of 60% and no skill below 55%	Successful completion of the Bridge Program/Level 7 with a minimum grade of 70% and no skill below 65%
International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC)	Successful completion of the University Pathway Program 3.2	Successful completion of the University Pathway Program 3.3
The Language Gallery of Canada	Successful completion of the University Pathway Program Level 5 with a minimum grade of 80%	Successful completion of the University Pathway Program Level 6 with a minimum grade of 80%
Language Studies International	Successful completion of Level 4: Upper-Intermediate with a minimum grade of 80%	Successful completion of Level 5: Advanced with a minimum grade of 80%
Quest	Level 8 or 9 with a minimum grade of 75% on the Academic Pathway Exit Test	Level 8 or 9 with a minimum grade of 80% on the Academic Pathway Exit Test
Royal Canadian Institute of International Studies	English for Academic Purposes program with a minimum grade of 70% overall and a final exam score of 6.5	English for Academic Purposes program with a minimum grade of 75% overall and a final exam score of 6.5
Sprott Shaw Language Centre	English for Post-Secondary Education with a minimum grade of 80% in course work and 65% in final exit test	English for Post-Secondary Education with a minimum grade of 80% in course work and 65% in final exit test
Stafford House Toronto	Successful completion of the Academic College Prep Program: Level 6 with an overall grade of 80%	Successful completion of the Academic College Prep Program: Level 7 with an overall grade of 80%
Tamwood International College	Successful completion of EAP Level 194 with an overall grade of 70%	Successful completion of EAP Level 194 with an overall grade of 80%
Upper Madison College	English for Academic Purposes Level 15 with a minimum grade of 70%	English for Academic Purposes Level 15 with a minimum grade of 70%