English is the main language of instruction at Camosun College. You must show a minimum level of English before we can admit you.
English proficiency levels
To be admitted to most academic programs, you must meet one of the following English proficiency requirements:
- Completion of B.C. High School Grade 12 English with a C+ or higher, or a Canadian High School Equivalent
- Recognized Pathway Partner Certificate
- External Assessment
If you need to improve your English, you may be able to take English upgrading at Camosun to help you qualify for your academic program.
External assessments
Scores must be from within the past two years
For TOEFL, your official score must be sent directly from ETS to Camosun College. Use destination (DI) code 7527.For Cambridge Assessment of English, your official result must be shared with Camosun College through the Cambridge Candidate Website.
You may meet the English requirement with one of the following test results:
- IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 overall (no sub-score less than 6.0)
- TOEFL iBT score of 78 overall (no sub-score less than 19)
- PTE Academic or PTE Academic Online score of 54 overall (no sub-score less than 50)
- Cambridge Assessment of English: C1 Advanced score of 174 overall (no sub-score less than 169)
- CAEL CE score of 60 overall (no sub-score less than 60)
Note: Alternative assessments/tests may be accepted. Contact us to discuss your individual situation.
Alternative English proficiency
Applicants educated in one of the countries from the following list, please check with International Admissions if there are alternative ways to meet the English proficiency requirement:
Countries where English proficiency alternatives may exist
- American Samoa
- Anguilla
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Belize
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada (including Quebec)
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- South Africa
- St. Helena
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tanzania
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- USA
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Important note
General college admission for international students
Camosun's Admission Policy E-2.1 requires international students to meet specific English language proficiency standards for general college admission. We accept a range of external English assessments as the primary way to demonstrate English skills. The test results listed above are considered equivalent to B.C. High School Grade 12 English with a C+ or higher, completed in Canada. Other equivalents, alternatives and considerations may exist. Contact us for details.
In addition to meeting the general college admission requirements, all students must also meet the specific admission requirements for their chosen program.
Program admission requirements
If your program page shows lower English requirements, please note that international students must still meet the general college English proficiency standards above, as outlined in our admission policy.
Important exceptions
- English Language Development (ELD) programs: No minimum level of English proficiency is required for these programs. However, you must successfully complete the ELD Placement Test (ELDPT), or an equivalent.
- Programs with special requirements: Some programs or courses, especially in Health and Human Services areas, may require higher English scores, may not accept certain external assessments, or may need different types of assessments. This is due to the nature of these programs, or specific regulatory requirements. Please check the individual program page for details, or contact the International Admissions team for guidance.