Your primary language is defined as the language in which you are most proficient. It is your language of instruction in the last three years of formal study as well as the language you use at home for daily written and oral communication.
If your primary language is English you meet the English language proficiency (ELP) requirement. All other applicants must demonstrate fulfillment of ELP by presenting the appropriate requirements for their program and admission intake.
MacEwan University reserves the right to use discretion to determine an applicant's language proficiency.
2020/21 criteria
If you are applying to start your program in Fall 2020 or Winter 2021, you must demonstrate proficiency according to the following criteria.
The following programs have unique ELP requirements as well as a spoken English proficiency requirement (SEP). Review ELP and SEP criteria on these program websites: |
All other undergraduate programs
Applicants to all undergraduate programs other than those exceptions listed above must present one of the following to demonstrate fulfillment of ELP. Test scores more than two years old will not be accepted for admission.
English language proficiency tests
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Internet-Based Test {iBT)
Minimum total score of 86 and a minimum score of 21 in each section.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
Minimum overall band score of 70 and a minimum score of 60 in each band.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Cambridge English Language Assessment
Cambridge English: Advanced/Proficiency
Minimum overall score of 180 and a minimum score of 165 in each skill.
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
Minimum overall score of 85 and a minimum score of 80 in GCVR, Listening, and Writing and a 3 in Speaking Test.
Test in Practical English Proficiency (EIKEN)
High School courses
Alberta Education Grade 12 English
English Language Arts 30-1 (or equivalent)
Minimum final blended grade of 75% (includes the diploma examination mark).
International Baccalaureate (IB) English
Minimum grade of 5 in English A1 or A2, or minimum grade of 6 in English B.
Advanced Placement (AP) English
Minimum grade of 4.
British-Patterned Education System English
English Language or Literature
GCE Advanced Level or GCE Advanced Subsidiary Level or GCSE or IGCSE Level
Minimum grade of B.
Post-secondary courses
University-level English
Six (6) credits of transferable, university-level English Language or Literature completed at a recognized English language institution. Minimum grade of B+. If more than one course is presented a grade of B+ is required in each course.
English as an Additional Language (English Language Preparation)
MacEwan University ENGL 086 and ENGL 087
OR
MacEwan University ERDW 085 and ESPL 085 and EOPT 068
Minimum grade of B- in each course.
English Academic Preparation (EAP)
Previous education in English
Full-time education in English (excluding English as a Second Language)
Successful completion of three or more years of full-time education in English (excluding English as a Second Language) in Canada or another country. Must include Alberta Grade 12 (or equivalent) where secondary education is the highest level, or if a combination of secondary and post-secondary education is used. English must be recognized as the official/primary language of the instruction.
University degree (baccalaureate or graduate)
Successful completion. The degree must be from a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the official/primary language of instruction.
Exemptions
An applicant who is completely bilingual and fluent in English is entitled to submit a written petition to the Office of the University Registrar providing evidence that the applicant’s English language proficiency exceeds the specified minimum levels, and requesting exemption from the English language proficiency (ELP) requirement.
If you are fully bilingual and fluent in English, your petition should detail:
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your background;
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your educational and personal experience with English;
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the language of instruction throughout your schooling and the language you use at home and on a daily basis;
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why you believe that an exception to the requirement is warranted in your situation.
Attestations from former English instructors and reports of any standardized English language proficiency tests may be supportive of your petition.
The Admissions Unit of the Office of the University Registrar will review the petition for possible waiver. A successful petition will not guarantee admission to another institution.
