Language Requirements

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Option 1 - Submit test results from one of the accepted tests listed:

Submission of English Language Test Scores. Applicants may receive direct admission by submitting one of the following recognized English language test scores with their application.

English Language Test	Minimum Score Diplomas and Certificates	Minimum Score Pharmacy Technician Diploma (as per the NAPRA)	Minimum Score Graduate Certificates	Minimum Score Respiratory Therapy Diploma
TOEFL iBT	Before 2026 - 80 with no score less than 20 As of 2026 – overall score of 4 with no section below 4	N/A	Before 2026 - 88 with no score less than 22 As of 2026 – overall score of 4.5 with no section below 4.5	N/A
International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic)	6.0 with no band less than 5.5	Reading 7.0, Listening 7.0, Speaking 7.0, Writing 6.5	6.5 with no band less than 6.0	Overall 7
Duolingo	105+	N/A	120+	N/A
Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL)	Overall 60	N/A	Overall 70	Overall 70
Canadian Academic English Language - ONLINE (CAEL - ONLINE)	Overall 60	N/A	Overall 70	N/A
Michigan English Test (MET)	56	N/A	62	N/A
PTE Academic (Pearson Test English)	46+	N/A	56+	Reading 69, Writing 79, Listening 82, Speaking 76
Cambridge English Exams (B2 First/FCE, C1 Advanced/CAE or C2 Proficiency/CPE)	Minimum 169 with no skill below 162	N/A	Minimum 176 with no skill below 162	N/A
Oxford ELLT	6 (No band less than 5)	N/A	7 (No band less than 6)	N/A

Special note: Students applying within Canada, currently attending an accredited University or College, with expired test scores can be considered for direct admission.

Option 2:

Successful completion of Level 8, in Fleming College’s English Language Bridge (ELB) Program.

• Diploma/Certificates require 70% grade in Level 8
• Post Graduate Certificates require 80% grade in Level 8

* Students using this option are not eligible for Pharmacy Technician.

Option 3:

Successful completion of English as a Second Language (ESL) or English for Academic Preparation (EAP) at an Ontario Community College, University, or approved pathway language organization.

* Students using this option are not eligible for Pharmacy Technician, and applicability is based on exit marks.

Option 4:

Provide proof of language proficiency based on previous education:

• Successfully completed three consecutive years of study at the secondary school (high school) level in English in a country where English is a primary language (four years, with graduation diploma are required for Pharmacy Technician)
• Completed one full year of study (within the last 2 years) in an accredited post-secondary program in English in a country where English is a primary language (not applicable to Pharmacy Technician)
• Obtain an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (or Canadian provincial equivalent) and English credit (Grade 12 C) issued by a public or Catholic school board,
• Provide proof of graduation from one of the authorized Fleming College pathway partners (not applicable to Pharmacy Technician, and post-graduate applicability is based on marks)
• Completed three consecutive years of study at a secondary private school in Ontario and received an Ontario Secondary School Diploma and English credit (Grade 12 C)

Note: Fleming College reserves the right to request additional documentation, or a third party evaluation of submitted documents. Fleming College also reserves the right to request an additional English language test from any applicant if the college deems it necessary. Based on the results of Fleming College testing, students may be offered additional language supports. All requirements are subject to change at any time without notice.

ESL Bridge – Meeting English Language Requirements at Fleming College

The ESL Bridge Program is based on current research into language learning and uses proven methods of instruction. It is designed to support individual learning; we recognize that students differ in the level of language with which they enter the program, and we understand that students progress through the program at different rates. All professors, instructors, and tutors hold internationally recognized ESL teaching qualifications and have years of experience teaching English in Canada and abroad. The program is held at Fleming's Sutherland Campus, in Peterborough.

8 Levels

There are 8 levels of English skill development. Each level is 8 weeks in length and each week consists of 24 hours of instructor-led classes as well as tutoring and experiential learning opportunities. Our English as a Second Language Bridge (ELB) program integrates the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills needed to succeed in a post-secondary environment.

The program is offered year-round, with a new intake every 8 weeks. Please see the ELB website for upcoming start dates. https://flemingcollege.ca/programs/english-as-a-second-language-bridge

We recommend that new students take our ELB placement test on campus. Applicants may also provide a recent IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo score upon admission and be placed directly into an ELB level. For maximum learning, students will be placed in the ELB level that corresponds to their lowest individual skill score or, where appropriate, according to the level the program believes is most suitable, regardless of IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo results.

January 3, 2022	ELB
February 28, 2022	ELB-2
May 9, 2022	ELB
July 4, 2022	ELB-2
September 6, 2022	ELB
October 31, 2022	ELB-2
January 2, 2023	ELB
February 27, 2023	ELB-2
May 1, 2023	ELB
June 26, 2023	ELB-2

Skill Development Levels

ELB Starting Level	IELTS	TOEFL (IBT)	Duolingo
1	2.0	0-9	0-25
2	2.5	10-18	30-40
3	3.0	19-25	45-50
4	3.5	26-30	55-60
5	4.0	31-39	65-70
6	4.5	40-49	75-80
7	5.0	50-61	85-90
8	5.5	62-79	95-100

The ELB Program reserves the right to place a student according program believes is appropriate for maximum learning, regardless of IELTS or TOEFL results.

Countries recognized where English is a primary language:

• Anguilla
• Antiqua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bermuda
• Botswana
• British Virgin Islands
• Cameroon**
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Gibraltar
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland (Northern)
• Ireland (Republic)
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Malawi
• Malta**
• Mauritius**
• Namibia
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• St. Kitt’s & Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent & The Grenadine
• Scotland
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa**
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Turks & Caicos
• Uganda
• United Kingdom
• USA
• Vanuatu**
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

** Students from these countries will be required to prove that language of instruction was English.