Language Proficiency
At Niagara College we administer a series of language proficiency tests for placement into the English for Academic Preparation (EAP) program. The goal of our placement testing is to ensure that all students are placed in a class level appropriate for their language proficiency.
If you have completed your studies from outside of Canada you may be required to provide proof of one or more of the following:
- International students who completed a minimum of two years of full-time secondary level education (in the final two years of secondary study) or one year of full-time post-secondary or higher education in a country where English is the official first language.
FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING
English language requirements for post-secondary and post-graduate programs at Niagara College, please contact: [email protected]
For testing information for the
English for Academic Preparation (EAP) program only, please contact
Language Proficiency Admission Requirements
If English is your second language, Niagara College will also accept the following language proficiency scores. The below chart represents general admission and may vary from country-specific admission requirements. Country-specific requirements can be found on our Application Portal.
NOTE: Language proficiency test results are valid for a period of two years from the test date.
| Language Proficiency Test | Minimum score for undergraduate diplomas, certificates and international nursing programs | Minimum score for graduate and degree programs | Minimum score for Pharmacy Technician program (requirements set by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities - NAPRA 2024).* |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cambridge English Exams (B2 First/FCE, C1 Advanced/CAE or C2 Proficiency/CPE) |
169 – No skill under 162. | 176 – No skill under 169. | – |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) including Indicator Test** | 6.0 – No individual band under 5.5. | 6.5 – No individual band under 5.5. | Reading – 7.0, Listening – 7.0, Speaking – 7.0, Writing – 6.5 |
| Internet-based (IBT) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) including Special Home Edition Test |
iBT: 80 Minimum: 20 Writing, 20 Speaking |
iBT: 85 Minimum: 22 Writing, 22 Speaking |
– |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE)*** | 58+, with no individual skill below 53 | 60+, with no individual skill below 57 | – |
| Duolingo English Language Test | 105+, with no individual subscore below 95 | 120+, with no individual subscore below 100 | – |
| Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL) including CAEL Online Proficiency Test | 60 – No individual band under 50. | 60 – No individual band under 50. | – |
| Niagara College’s English for Academic Preparation program (EAP) OR English as a Second Language (ESL) Online program | Completion of English for Academic Preparation (EAP) Level 5 with 70% and no individual grade under 50% OR English as a Second Language (ESL) Online exit test. | Completion of English for Academic Preparation (EAP) Level 5 with 75% and no individual grade under 60% OR English as a Second Language (ESL) Online exit test. | – |
* The language proficiency requirements listed under this column apply to the Pharmacy Technician program only.
** Niagara College recognizes the IELTS Academic tests. The IELTS General tests are not accepted for admissions to academic programs or placement into English for Academic Purposes levels.
*** Niagara College recognizes the PTE Academic tests. The PTE Online tests are not accepted for admissions to academic programs or placement into English for Academic Purposes levels.
**** The above minimum language proficiency scores are effective February 12th, 2024.
Please note that meeting or exceeding the minimum score requirements does not guarantee admission to Niagara College, and minimum score requirements are subject to change based on program demand. Niagara College reserves the right to add and remove language proficiency tests at any time.
Duolingo test certificate must be submitted with the Shareable Public Test Certificate Link OR Shared Results within the platform.
If you applied for post-secondary or short term testing you can find more information on Placement Test Details.
EAP Level Placement and Common Equivalencies
The scores provided are for planning purposes only and provide students with an indication of EAP level placement in the Niagara College English for Academic Purposes Program. Applicants are placed into the appropriate EAP level in one of two ways (never both):Â
- By participating in the Niagara College placement test during orientation.Â
- By supplying their current IELTS (1 year), Duolingo (6 months), TOEFL iBT (1 year), or PTE (1 year) classes. Â
Note:Â Level placements are carefully reviewed and validated according to students’ evident language ability during the first week of classes.
| EAP Level | CLB | CEFR | IELTS (Academic) |
Duolingo No integrated subscore can be less than 10 pts below total score** |
TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 / 3 | A1 | 1.5 - 2.5 | 20 – 45​​​ | 0 - 16 | 0 - 14 |
| 2 | 3 / 4 | A2 |
3.0 - 3.5 (up to one band lower than 2.5) |
50 – 65 no indiv subscore below 50 | 17 - 32 | 15 - 29 |
| 3 | 5 / 6 | B1 |
4.0 - 4.5 (up to one band lower than 3) |
70 – 85 no indiv subscore below 70 | 33 - 44 | 30 - 42 |
| 4 | 6 / 7 | B1+ |
5.0 (up to one band lower than 4.5) |
85 – 90 no indiv subscore below 58 | 45 - 59 | 43 - 50 |
| 5 | 8 / 8.5 | B2 |
5.5 / 6.0 (up to two bands between 4.5 and 6) |
95 – 100 no indiv subscore below 90 | 60 - 78 | 51 - 57 |
** as of July, 2024, Duolingo has both “integrated” and “individual” sub-scores broken down below the “Total/overall” score; no integrated sub-score can be less than 10 points below the total score.
For information regarding English language proficiency requirements for Niagara College Post-Secondary, Certificate, Post-Graduate and Degree programs,
please refer to the Language Proficiency chart at the top of this page.
| VALIDITY EXPIRY from test date | IELTS (Academic) | Duolingo | TOEFL iBT | PTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year for EAP | 6 months for EAP | 1 year for EAP | 1 year for EAP |