English Language Requirements

Students at CapU write assignments, follow class lectures and take part in class discussions in English.

If English is not your first language or you’ve received your education in a language other than English you must take one of the following English language assessment tests:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  • Required minimum marks:
    • online test (TOEFL iBT^®): 83
    • paper-delivered test: 560
  • Capilano University TOEFL code: 0505
• Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
• Required minimum mark: 6.5 overall, with no single score below 6
• Alternate contact: ielts@sfu.ca
• CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment Test)
  • Required minimum mark: 70
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English – Academic)
  • Required minimum mark: 56
• DET (Duolingo English Test) – Being accepted on a temporary basis.
  • Required minimum mark: 125 or higher with no sub-score less than 115

Other ways to meet the English language requirement

• six credits of post-secondary English that transfer to Capilano University; or 
• English Studies 12 or English 12 or English First Peoples 12 with a final mark of C+ or higher and two years of high school in Canada, or
• Advanced Placement English Language/Composition or English Literature/Composition with a minimum mark of 4, or
• International Baccalaureate English Language A Higher Level with a minimum mark of 5, or
• Language Proficiency Index Level 4 with an essay mark of at least 26, or
• Capilano University EAP 100 and 101 with a minimum mark of B+ (77%) in each course, or
• four or more consecutive years of full-time education in English in Canada, or in a country other than Canada where English is the principle language, or
• four or more years at an eligible international high school that uses English as the language of instruction but operates in a country where the primary language is not English, or
• graduation from a recognized degree program at an accredited university at which English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the principal language. 
• Students who graduated from a recognized degree program or completed four years of full-time study in English in the countries listed below will have met Capilano University’s English language proficiency requirements.

Applicants from Quebec may be required to provide proof of English language proficiency.

If you don’t meet the admission requirements for English language skills but you believe you do have the necessary skills, you may submit an English Language Waiver Form (pdf) to the attention of Admissions in the Registrar's Office. If the University then decides you need additional instruction in English, you will be asked to take an English examination suitable to the program area in which you wish to enrol.

If English is your second language and you need help to bring your English language skills to the required EAP 100/101 level, you can apply to take the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. To find out your EAP level, please see our language testing options.