English Proficiency Requirement
Because all courses at CityU are taught in English, all incoming students must demonstrate proficiency in English prior to enrollment, in addition to any other admission requirements of their prospective program. English proficiency policy is overseen by the Office of Academic Affairs.
All incoming students applying for undergraduate degrees must demonstrate a college-level proficiency by submitting one of the following:
- Official transcripts showing a posted undergraduate degree from one of the recognized countries (Canada, U.S.A, U.K., N.Z., Australia, Ireland)
- One the following official test scores:
| Standardized Test | Score needed |
| iTEP Plus | 4 |
| TOEFL iBT | 76 |
| University of Cambridge ESOL Exams | FCE First Certificate in English |
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | Band 6.0 |
| CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language) | Overall 60; Writing 60 |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) | 51 |
| The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency | EIKEN Grade Pre-1 |
| WEST-B (Washington Educator Basic Skills Test) | OSPI passing scores on Reading & Writing Sections |
| ELS | ELS Level 109 Intensive Program |
3. English Language proficiency waiver: Rare exceptions may be granted when a prospective student can demonstrate that he or she has met the English language proficiency standard that will allow for academic success. Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the director of English Language Programs or the appropriate school dean.
How does an applicant demonstrate that he or she has met CityU’s English language proficiency?
Once the CityU applicant has submitted his/her English language waiver petition, he or she may be asked to be interviewed by the ELP Director.
During this appointment, the applicant will have a 10 minute oral interview with the director. Following the interview, he or she will be given a multiple choice grammar test and an essay topic and will write a concise, one-page response within a 50 minute time period.
- Interview: 10
- Grammar: 30
- Writing: 50
- Total time: 90 minutes
Where does the English Language Proficiency interview take place?
Applicants will be required to come in person to their local CityU Canada site for a phone interview the ESL Director of CityU Seattle.
When will the applicant know the results of the oral/written interview?
The director of English Language Programs will send an email response to both the applicant and his or her advisor within 3 business days.
Link here for Petition for English Proficiency Waiver.