English Language Proficiency Requirements

You do not need an English test score to apply to UNB

Exemptions

An international applicant is not required to submit proof of English Language proficiency if:

  1. The applicant has studied in a high school in Canada for a minimum of 1 year and has achieved a minimum of 70% in Grade 12 English (ENG4U/EAE4U or equivalent course); OR
  1. The applicant has studied in an English speaking high school for a minimum of 1 year and is applying from one of the following countries:

    2. American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Island, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malta, Mauritius, Monteserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pacific Island Trust Territory, Ryukyu Island, Seychelles, Republic of Singapore, Republic of South Africa, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, Zambia, Zimbabwe. OR

  1. The applicant has studied in an English language school (secondary or higher) for a minimum of 3 years or can offer one of the following tests or qualifications:
    • GCE A Level English Literature with minimum grade of C
    • Norway English 3rd Year Upper Secondary with minimum grade of 4
    • Sweden English 3rd Year Upper Secondary with minimum grade of VG
    • Denmark English 3rd Year Upper Secondary with minimum grade of 10

In all cases, UNB reserves the right to require proof of language proficiency before permission will be granted to register in academic courses.

Formalized Testing

Students who have completed formalized English testing and who have obtained the scores below may receive direct admission into an undergraduate program.



TOEFL (IBT)TOEFL (paper)IELTSCAEL
Fredericton 92 or higher 580 or higher*
 6.5 or higher 70 or higher
Saint John 80 or higher 550 or higher
 6.5 or higher 60 or higher
* Students who have written the TOEFL (paper/IBT) and who are applying to Arts, Nursing, or Education on the Fredericton campus require a score of 600/100 for direct admission.

Conditional Admission

International students who do not have a test score, or who still need to improve their English skills, may be accepted on the condition that they will complete full-time English Language Training at UNB before starting their undergraduate degree.  Conditional admission still enables students to obtain a study visa into Canada.

Fredericton requirements

Students who are conditionally accepted to the UNB Fredericton campus complete their English Language Training through UNB's English Language Program (ELP) at the College of Extended Learning.  ELP students follow the Program of Academic English Preparation (PAEP) curriculum which involves 23 hours of class time per week (excluding homework and study time).  ELP students can begin their English training in September, January or May.

Saint John requirements

Students who are conditionally accepted to the UNB Saint John campus complete their English Language Training at Saint John College.  Saint John College students progress through six levels of English training: Levels 1 to 5 comprise the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program; students who reach Level 6 enter the ESL Support Program and are able to enter academic courses on a 'sheltered' basis. 

Students are tested and placed upon arrival and may not need to start at Level 1.  Each level is eight weeks long and involves approximately 35 hours of class/lab time per week.  Students can begin their English training in January, March, May, July, September or November.