English Proficiency Requirements

Note: The province of British Columbia does not distinguish grades of A+/A/A- or B+/B/B-. For the purposes of placement according to the above table, a grade of B- is considered a B.

Completion of Alexander College ENGL 099 – English Academic Preparation, with a grade of ‘C’ or higher.

Minimum Score Requirements:

The following table is in effect for students admitted before October 1, 2024.

The following table is in effect for students admitted on and after October 1, 2024.

Note: Essential (E) and Technical & Professional (T) coursework cannot be used to meet the English language proficiency requirement.

The BC Global Education Program makes it possible for school in other countries (offshore schools) to offer BC curriculum to international students. In China, offshore schools are alternatively referred to as ‘Sino-Canadian schools.”

In order to qualify as an offshore school, specific standards must be met. For example, they must employ BC-certified teachers and maintain adequate facilities.

In order for the English 12 mark from an offshore school to satisfy the English proficiency requirement, the transcript must be accompanied the Canadian graduation certificate (certificates may be issued by any participating province). Without the Canadian graduation certificate, Sino-Canada transcripts are to be assessed as Chinese, and thus international English 12 cannot be used for English placement.

For more information about BC Certified offshore schools, please visit: www2.gov.bc.ca

To check the list of certified institutions, please visit: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/topic

The Advanced Placement (AP) program is offered by many schools in Canada and the US via College Board. Alexander College follows the BC Transfer Guide’s comprehensive listing of AP equivalencies. This guide is available at bctransferguide.ca

Resource: The Articulation Guide for English as a Second Language Programs in the British Columbia Post-Secondary Transfer System is published by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education and is updated semi-annually.

Courses are listed by equivalency level using the numerals I-IV. These levels correspond to Alexander College EAP levels 096-099, as follows:

Individual courses are listed according to 4 sections: reading, writing, oral/aural, and integrated skills. The student is required to complete either all courses in the reading, writing, and oral/aural columns, or all courses in the integrated skills column.

Determination of Passing Mark:

In order to be considered as having completed an equivalent course at the institution listed, the student must have achieved a final grade in the course sufficient to progress to the next level at that institution. Please note that each institution employs a different grade scale, and the passing mark for EAP courses can be as high as a B grade. The admitting Officer is responsible for verifying the EAP grading scheme of the institution to ensure that the student is placed appropriately.

In some cases, the student may be granted a pass grade in the course, but not be permitted to progress to the next level. In this instance, the student would be qualified to retake the same level at Alexander College.

If the student receives a failing grade or withdraws from their course, it cannot be used for placement and he/she must demonstrate the English proficiency another way.

A transcript of grades and certificate of completion are required.

Final grades for courses completed at an ESL partner are considered as valid for a period 2 years after completion.

BCCAT transferable post-secondary English courses may be used for English placement with a passing grade of D or higher. Equivalencies can be determined using the BC Transfer Guide

General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) ‘O’ Level examination results may be placed as follows:

General Certificate of Education (GCE) ‘A’ Level examination results may be given advanced standing or credit, at the discretion of the Dean.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is offered in many countries around the world. Alexander College follows the BC Transfer Guide’s comprehensive listing of IB equivalencies. This guide is available at bctransferguide.ca

*this must be a Language A course, (for all other course titles, students would need to bring course outlines and have the courses evaluated for placement).

Alexander College will accept, for the purposes of meeting the English proficiency requirement, English 12 taken in one of the following countries in which English is designated as the primary and official language, and the principle language of instruction.

*Effective from Monday, September 23, 2024:

Alexander College is piloting acceptance of English 12 (minimum grade of C) from the Philippines public High School Diploma program for the purpose of meeting the English proficiency requirement for admission to the upcoming Winter 2025, Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 intakes. Upon analysis of student performance data, the college maintains the right to continue or end the pilot following Fall 2025 intake.

Applicants must submit a Philippines Department of Education form 137A transcript, and a separate “medium of instruction” certificate unless it is clearly indicated on the transcript.

Applicants holding a 3 or 4-year baccalaureate degree taken outside of Canada may be considered to have met the English Language proficiency requirement for direct entry (no EAL required), provided that the medium of instruction for all components of the degree program was English, and all years of studies for the program were completed in one of the countries listed below.

G.E.D Testing Program