English Language Proficiency Policy

Since all activities (lectures, seminars, laboratories) at Humber are conducted in English, it is essential that all students possess strong:

• writing skills
• speaking skills

This allows students to cope with the rigors of the academic curriculum and to successfully complete the co-operative components of the programs.

Therefore, if your first language is not English, or if your previous education has been conducted in another language, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English by undertaking and submitting the results of one of the following at the level relative to the program to which you apply.

Please note that scores for the standardized English language tests:

• may vary by program
• are only valid for a 24-month period from the date of testing

1. A minimum of three years of full-time study in an English language school system in a country where English is considered the primary language (i.e. the primary language of instruction and evaluation is English), with acceptable grades in all English courses. Applicants must complete courses at the following levels:

• Undergraduate – Certificate and Diploma: C, M (U/C), general level or higher, or equivalent
• Degree and Bachelor of Nursing: U, M (U/C), OAC or advanced level, or equivalent
• Graduate Certificate: Programs require a degree for admission
   

2. A minimum of one full year of successful study in an accredited university degree program or two full years of successful study in an accredited college diploma program in a country and in a postsecondary institution where English is the primary language of instruction.


3. The Humber English Language Proficiency (HELP) test with an overall minimum placement score of:

• Undergraduate – Certificate and Diploma: ESL 200
• Degree and Bachelor of Nursing: ESL 200, Level 4
• Graduate Certificate: ESL 300
   

4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Academic Level with a score of:

• Undergraduate – Certificate and Diploma: 550 for the paper-based test or 213 for the computer-based test, or 80+ minimums of 20 for the Internet-based test
• Degree: 560 for the paper-based test or 220 for the computer-based test, or 84+ minimums of 21 for the Internet-based test
• Bachelor of Nursing: 600 for the paper-based test or 250 for the computer-based test, or 100+ minimums of 21 for the Internet-based test
• Graduate Certificate: 580 for the paper-based test or 237 for the computer-based test, or 88+ minimums of 22 for the Internet-based test
   

5. The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test (CAEL) with a score of:

• Undergraduate – Certificate and Diploma: Overall Band Score of 60
• Degree and Bachelor of Nursing: Overall Band Score of 60 and Writing of 60
• Graduate Certificate: Overall Band Score of 70
   

6. International English Language Testing (IELTS) Academic Level with a score of:

• Undergraduate – Certificate and Diploma: Overall minimum 6.0 (with no single test score below 5.5)
• Degree and Bachelor of Nursing: Overall minimum 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0)
• Graduate Certificate: Overall minimum 6.5 (with no single test score below 6.0)
   

7. Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MELAB) with a score of:

• Undergraduate – Certificate and Diploma: 76
• Degree and Bachelor of Nursing: 78
• Graduate Certificate: 82
   

8. Completion of the Humber English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program:

• Certificate and Diploma: Successful completion of all EAP courses with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 60 per cent in Level 8
• Degree: Successful completion of all EAP courses with a minimum GPA of 75 per cent in Level 8
• Graduate Certificate: Successful completion of all EAP courses with a minimum GPA of 80 per cent in Level 8
   

The above requirements are in addition to the Grade 12U, M (U/C) or OAC English subject requirements, or equivalents.

The above requirements are general guidelines only.

Humber reserves the right to require a successfully completed language proficiency test based on the requirements of the specific program.

For admission purposes, some programs require a higher score than the minimums stated above.

Applicants whose first language is French must present transcripts to indicate that they have taken three years of English in a Canadian secondary school or equivalent in order to be admitted without an English as a Second Language requirement.