English Language Proficiency
English language proficiency (ELP) is a requirement for any student not educated in an ELP exempt country (see list at the bottom of this page). Students should be aware that their program may also have a requirement for an Academic English or Literature requirement that is not fulfilled by completing their ELP requirement. All ELP exams must be academic and not general where applicable.
The official policy for Medicine Hat College on ELP is located in the Academic Calendar.
NOTE: If you have completed a AP, IB or GCE curriculum, you may be exempt from ELP. Dual language countries such as Cameroon should provide documentation to show their curriculum was in English and not another language.
| Name of Examination NOTE: MHC requires Academic versions of English Language examinations |
General English Language Proficiency | Advanced English Language Proficiency (Aviation Management, Child and Youth Care Counsellor, Nursing (*see note), Occupational Therapist Assistant/Physical Therapist Assistant, Paramedic, Practical Nurse, Social Work, Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant) |
| Advance Placement Coursework | AP English with a 4 or better | AP English with a 4 or better |
| CAE (Cambridge English Language Assessment) | 180 | 185 |
| CAEL (computer or paper based) | 60 with no score below 50 | Not accepted |
| CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark Assessment) | Score of 7 in each band | Score of 8 when completed with a LINC program (not accepted for Paramedic, Aviation, Practical Nurse or the Collaborative Nursing Program) |
| CPE (Cambridge English Proficiency) | 180 | |
| Duolingo |
105 | 120 |
| GCE Advanced Level (A or AS level), GCSE, IGCSE | B grade or better | |
| IB (International Baccalaureate Coursework) | English A1, A2, A Literature, or A Language & Literature with a 5 or better; OR IB English B with a 6 or better |
English A1, A2, A Literature, or A Language & Literature with a 5 or better; OR IB English B with a 6 or better |
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | 6.0 with no score below 6.0 | 7.0 with no bands below 7.0 |
| ILAC (International Language Academy of Canada) |
Successful completion of Pathway Program level 3.2 | Not accepted |
| MELAB | 80 | Score of 90 with a minimum score of “3 plus” on the speaking test |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) | 54 | 64 but students must also complete another exam with a spoken language requirement |
| TOEFL PBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language -paper-base) | 550 | Not accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language – internet based) | 79 | 92 with a minimum of 23 in each sub-score |
*Nursing scores listed on this website are for reference only and are subject to the University of Calgary policy – click here for more information.
*Please refer to the Pharmacy Technician and Health Care Aide program pages for details about the ELP Requirements for those programs.
Applicants who’ve completed the AB, IB or GCE curriculums in English, or who’ve completed three full-time years of education in English in an English language proficiency exempt country (see below) may be exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency.
- American Samoa
- Anguilla
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Belize
- Botswana
- British Honduras
- Brunei
- Cayman Islands
- England
- Falkland Islands
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Pacific Island
- Panama Canal Zone
- Philippines*
- Puerto Rico
- Ryukyu Islands
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- South Africa
- St. Helena
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Scotland
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Island
- Uganda
- United States of America
- Virgin Islands
- United Kingdom (see England, Wales, Scotland)
- Wales
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
*Only students who have graduated from the new 12th year Senior High School curriculum with the equivalent of English 30-1, or 30-2 completed will meet General ELP requirements for MHC programming (ELP of 6.0). This does not include programs requiring Advanced ELP (ELP of 7.0). Advanced ELP programs include Aviation Management, Child and Youth Care Counselling, Nursing, Occupational and Physical Therapist Assistant, Paramedic, Practical Nurse, Social Work, and Speech Language Pathologist Assistant.