Language Requirements for Undergraduate Applicants

Not an undergraduate student? See English Language Proficiency for graduate students.

All undergraduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, are required to fulfill language proficiency requirements. The University of Alberta language proficiency policies exist to ensure students have the requisite skills to succeed in the university learning environment. Fulfillment of the listed requirements does not guarantee admission.

The University of Alberta reserves the right to use discretion in determining language proficiency. In some cases, additional English language testing, conducted by the Faculty of Extension, may be required.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

English is the primary language of instruction and communication for all programs at the University of Alberta (excluding our French-language Campus Saint-Jean). All undergraduate applicants to English-speaking and bilingual programs need an adequate level of English Language Proficiency prior to admission regardless of citizenship status or country of origin. English Language Proficiency can be met through coursework, years of full-time study, language tests (like IELTS, Duolingo, etc) or by studying in ELP exempt countries and institutions who satisfy the requirements.

See Table 1 below or the University Calendar for more information on requirements and ways to meet ELP.

Spoken English Language Proficiency (SEP)

Spoken English Proficiency is required in some programs at the University of Alberta, such as the Faculty of Education and in some Health Science-related fields (such as Nursing).

See Table 2 below or the University Calendar for more information on requirements and ways to meet SEP.

French Language Proficiency (FLP)

French is the primary language of instruction at Campus Saint-Jean. All applicants to Campus Saint-Jean must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken French (Compétence dans la langue française).

For more information, see the University Calendar ».

Table 1: English Language Proficiency Requirements

Table 2: Spoken English Proficiency Requirements

Submitting ELP/SEP Documentation

Official deadlines for submitting ELP/SEP documentation are August 1 for high school applicants and June 15 for post-secondary transfer applicants, or as soon as possible for students with special cases.

Students with Special Cases:
The following applicants must meet ELP/SEP before their application is evaluated. We recommend submitting your documentation to fulfill this requirement as soon as possible in your application process.

• Students who have already completed their high school studies
• Students applying to specific programs in Open Studies or Doctor of Pharmacy (Entry to Practice - post-secondary transfer applicants only)

For more information on how to submit ELP/SEP documentation, see Transcripts and Documents.

Submitting Official Transcripts

For students currently studying in Alberta, we will receive your official high school transcripts directly from Alberta Education.

For students in other provinces, territories, or outside of Canada, you are responsible for ensuring your transcripts are sent to the University of Alberta once you have completed your studies.

Official documentation must be sent directly to the Office of the Registrar by mail or to transcripts@ualberta.ca from the issuing institution (high school, postsecondary institution, or governmental organization) directly.

Mailing address:

University of Alberta
Office of the Registrar
University Commons
Edmonton, AB, Canada
T6G 2R3

Documents issued in a language other than English or French must be accompanied by an official English translation (done by a certified translator anywhere in the world). Only an English translation will be accepted. Translations into any other languages will not be accepted.

If a document is originally issued in French, a translation is not required.

If your institution is not able to mail your documents on your behalf, they can seal them into an envelope and you can mail the envelope to the Office of the Registrar yourself.

Faxed documents will not replace the official and complete documents required. U of A reserves the right to require that an original copy be sent by postal mail if the faxed copy does not meet our requirements.

All of the documents submitted in support of your application for admission become the property of the University of Alberta and will not be returned. Do not submit irreplaceable documents unless otherwise requested.

If documents are irreplaceable, please arrange to have them certified and submit only the certified true copies.

• A certified true copy is a photocopy of an original document that has been verified and certified (stamped and signed) as a true copy of the original document
• Certified true copies must be authorized by the issuing institution (e.g. a ministry of education office, university, college, or school). Certified true copies that are authorized by a governmental notary public agency in the issuing country may be considered.
• In the event that a certified true copy is presented, the Registrar's office reserves the right to request the original document for verification upon your arrival on campus.

Transcripts + Documents

Submitting Language Test Results

Important note: Language test results more than two years old will not be accepted.

There are multiple methods you can submit your language test result to the U of A including, directly from the testing centre, through Launchpad, or through the Student Service Portal.

If you have already received an offer of admission or have completed your studies, you cannot upload documents into Launchpad. Please have your testing centre submit your results directly or submit a copy through our Student Service Portal. Processing times may vary, but please allow 2-4 weeks for processing.

• Testing Centre: IELTS, Duolingo, TOEFL, and other testing centres may offer the option to send your results directly to the U of A. It may take approximately 2-4 weeks for this to be reflected in your Launchpad account due to mailing and processing time.
• Launchpad: If the upload option is available in Launchpad, students may submit an electronic copy of their language test results or IELTS Test Report Form into Launchpad. Please make sure that the electronic copy is legible and it contains your Test Report Form number.
• Student Service Portal: If the upload option is not available in Launchpad or you are re-submitting new test scores, submit a general inquiry ticket to our admissions team. Include your CCID and language test results.

If at the time of assessment your test result does not meet the requirement, you will receive a message via email notifying you that you have not successfully met English Language Proficiency and/or Spoken English Proficiency requirements. A new checklist item will appear on your Launchpad asking you to submit new official test scores.

In case U of A receives notifications from a test administrator that your test scores are no longer valid (e.g. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic scores being on hold/revoked), we reserve the right to revoke your admission offer made by using the invalid test results.