English is the primary language of instruction at VCC. All applicants are required to demonstrate the appropriate level of English language proficiency to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom.
English entrance requirements vary by programs. Here’s how you can check the requirements and equivalencies accepted.
- Visit the program page of your choice, and find out the English grade required for the program.
- Refer to the chart below for the common assessments you can use to meet the English language proficiency requirements.
- Click on the English grades below to see other equivalencies accepted, such as CAEL, Cambridge, PTE, VCC EAL Accuplacer assessments, University English grade, BC EAP level, and more.
- Some programs, such as the Health Care Assistant Diploma, have specific English requirements. Check the program pages for detailed requirements and accepted equivalencies.
| English Grade | IELTS Academic | Duolingo English Test | TOEFL iBT |
| English 10 [LINK] | Overall: 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 | Overall: 95 | Overall: 50 |
| English 11 [LINK] | Overall: 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 | Overall: 105 | Overall: 70 |
| Communications 12 [LINK] English 12 C- [LINK] English 12 C [LINK] English 12 C+ [LINK] | Overall: 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 | Overall: 115 | Overall: 80 |
| English 12 B [LINK] | Overall: 6.5 Listening: 6.0 Speaking: 6.5 Reading: 6.0 Writing: 6.5 | Overall: 120 | Overall: 90 |
Here are additional details about external English test validity and other ways to meet VCC’s English requirements.
CAEL CE/CAEL Online (Canadian Academic English Language Test), Cambridge Assessment (B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE)), Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online (Pearson Test of English) and TOEFL iBT are accepted as external test options for meeting VCC’s English entrance requirements, in addition to VCC EAL (ESL) Accuplacer + VCC EAL (ESL) Speaking Assessment. English test scores are valid for 2 years. The test scores must be valid at the time a complete application is received at VCC.
Remember to submit your test scores to VCC.
Speaking and listening requirements can be satisfied through secondary or post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the medium of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages.
| American Samoa Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Australia Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda Botswana British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Dominica Falkland Islands Fiji Gambia | Ghana Gibraltar Grenada Guam Guyana Ireland Jamaica Kenya Lesotho Liberia Malta Mauritius Montserrat New Zealand Nigeria Saint Helena | Saint Lucia Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore South Africa Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Uganda United Kingdom United States United States Virgin Islands Zambia Zimbabwe |
Students who have completed a 4-year, English-taught post-secondary degree from an accredited institution in the Philippines may also meet the English admission requirements of most VCC programs, except for programs where the English requirements are set by external regulatory bodies (e.g. Health Care Assistant Diploma).
Students from institutions accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) and B.C. Certified Offshore Schools may meet VCC’s English language requirements if they have an equivalent academic English course with the respective grade required by the program. Please contact study@vcc.ca for more information.
Other equivalencies may also be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Submit a complete application to confirm if the English entrance requirements are met.
Study English to meet the requirements
If you do not meet VCC’s English admissions requirements, you may study at VCC’s ESL program, or at VCC’s partner language schools (ILAC or ILSC) to meet VCC’s requirements.
Applicants may use Duolingo English Test results to meet VCC’s English language requirements for the following ESL/EAL courses in VCC’s ESL Pathway program.
| Course Code | Course Name | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|
| ELSK 0915 | ESL Listening & Speaking 9 | 115-120 (min. 115 in both Conversation and Literacy) |
| ELSK 0920 | ESL Reading & Writing 9 | 115-120 (min. 115 in both Conversation and Literacy) |
| ELSK 0925 | EAL Pathway to University Transfer English | 115-120 (min. 115 in both Conversation and Literacy) |
| ELSK 0815 | ESL Listening & Speaking 8 | 105-110 in Conversation |
| ELSK 0820 | ESL Reading & Writing 8 | 105-110 in Literacy |
| ELSK 0715 | ESL Listening & Speaking 7 | 95-100 in Conversation |
| ELSK 0720 | ESL Reading & Writing 7 | 95-100 in Literacy |
| ELSK 0615 | ESL Listening & Speaking 6 | 75-90 in Conversation |
| ELSK 0620 | ESL Reading & Writing 6 | 75-90 in Literacy |
| ELSK 0515 | ESL Listening & Speaking 5 | 55-70 in Conversation |
| ELSK 0520 | ESL Reading & Writing 5 | 55-70 in Literacy |
Register in VCC ESL Pathway Courses
Program seats are reserved for domestic students. Any remaining seats may be made available to international students after the domestic student registration finishes, typically a couple of weeks before classes begin. Due to the limitation of international seats, only applicants with a valid study permit may apply. Conditional admission to VCC Academic Programs is not available.
Meeting VCC’s Academic Program English Requirements
Upon completion of VCC English courses with a minimum grade, students may meet the English language requirements.
Questions? Ready to apply? Contact study@vcc.ca for more details.
Submit test scores to VCC
Remember to request your scores to be submitted to VCC for your application to be reviewed.
Request your CAEL Official Score Report by providing VCC’s details when registering CAEL, or up to 1 business day before your scores are posted on the CAEL website. Check the CAEL website for more details.
Provide your test details, such as Cambridge centre, candidate numbers, and the relevant examination series (identified by month and year e.g., June 2014) so we may verify your results. Check the Cambridge Assessment website for more details.
Request the Duolingo results to be sent directly to VCC – International Student Admission and inform VCC International Admissions once it is requested. Results are typically released to VCC within 48 hours of the request. Check the Duolingo English Test website for more details.
Submit the IELTS Test Report with your application. A screenshot of the score on the IELTS website is not accepted, unless the Test Report Form (TRF) number is provided. Check the IELTS website for more details.
Request the PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online results to be sent directly to Vancouver Community College and inform VCC of either your ‘Score Report Code’ or ‘Registration ID’ once it is requested.
Submit the TOEFL iBT score report with your application. A screenshot of the score on the TOEFL website is not accepted unless the Appointment Number is provided. Check the TOEFL website for more details.