Navigation Block On this page ELP Test Score Approved Courses Previous Education ELP Exempt Disclaimer On this page ELP Test Score Approved Courses Previous Education ELP Exempt Disclaimer Foundation for Success The language of instruction and communication at NWP is English. As part of the admission process, applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) in one of the ways below. Acceptable ELP Test Scores We accept the following ELP assessment tests and minimum test scores. Results are considered valid for 2 years from the date the test was taken. Test scores must be verifiable and valid within 30 days of the start of the program. Program IELTS Academic TOEFL iBT Duolingo CAEL & CAEL Online PTE Academic Biological Sciences Diploma Business Administration Certificate and Diploma Early Learning and Child Care Certificate and Diploma Educational Assistant Certificates NWP Bachelor of Business Administration NWP Bachelor of Computing Science NWP Bachelor of Education - Elementary NWP Bachelor of Education - Secondary Computer Systems Technology Certificate and Diploma Graphic Design Diploma Information Technology Specialist Certificate Kinesiology Diploma Power Engineering Diploma Instrumentation Engineering Technology Social Work Diploma University Arts Diploma University Transfer Visual Arts and Design Diploma Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0 For exams taken before January 21, 2026 (0-120 scale): We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of at least 84, no section score below 21 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 (1-6 scale): We require a minimum TOEFL iBT total score of 4.5, with no section score below 4.5 Overall 115, no sub-score below 100 At least 70, no band less than 60 Overall score of 60, with no less than 55 in each communicative skill School of Health Programs Program IELTS Academic CELBAN TOEFL iBT Bachelor of Science in Nursing Practical Nurse Diploma Overall 7.0, Listening 7.0, Writing 6.5, Reading 6.5, Speaking 7 Listening 9, Writing 7, Reading 8, Speaking 8 - Health Care Aide Overall 6.0, no band less than 5.5 - For exams taken before January 21, 2026 (0-120 scale): We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of at least 71 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 (1-6 scale): This section will be updated to align with the scores that are approved by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses and Health Care Aides of Alberta Minimum Grade on Approved Courses The following select courses may be considered to meet ELP. Official transcripts are required to confirm completion, and photocopies will not be accepted. Please note that a minimum grade in an approved course may not satisfy ELP requirements for programs in the School of Health. In countries where alpha-grades are further defined by numerical grades, a minimum grade of 3 is required to meet the ELP requirement. For example: a grade of B3. Course Requirements English Language Arts Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course (or an equivalent course taken in Canada) that meets the specified academic admission requirements for the program. Additional ELP evidence may be required if the method of delivery or assessment does not provide sufficient assurance of the applicant's independent proficiency. 6 credits of university-level English studies completed at a recognized English-language institution. Must be transferable as 6 credits of junior or senior-level English at Northwestern Polytechnic. International Baccalaureate: English A: Literature or English A: Language and Literature A grade of 5 or better. School must offer the IB Diploma Program and appear on the IB School list International Baccalaureate: English B1, B2 A grade of 6 or better. School must offer the IB Diploma Program and appear on the IB School list Advanced Placement English A grade of 4 or better on the AP English College Board examination O-level, AS-Level, A-Level, GCSE, IGCSE: English Language or Literature course A final grade of B or better All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (ISSC): Core English Score of 75% or better issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (ISSC): Functional English Score of 80% or better issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education Indian School Certificate (ISC): English Score of 75% or better issued by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) The following select courses may be considered to meet ELP. Official transcripts are required to confirm completion, and photocopies will not be accepted. Please note that a minimum grade in an approved course may not satisfy ELP requirements for programs in the School of Health. In countries where alpha-grades are further defined by numerical grades, a minimum grade of 3 is required to meet the ELP requirement. For example: a grade of B3. Course Requirements English Language Arts Successful completion of an Alberta Education English Language Arts course (or an equivalent course taken in Canada) that meets the specified academic admission requirements for the program. Additional ELP evidence may be required if the method of delivery or assessment does not provide sufficient assurance of the applicant's independent proficiency. 6 credits of university-level English studies completed at a recognized English-language institution. Must be transferable as 6 credits of junior or senior-level English at Northwestern Polytechnic. International Baccalaureate: English A: Literature or English A: Language and Literature A grade of 5 or better. School must offer the IB Diploma Program and appear on the IB School list International Baccalaureate: English B1, B2 A grade of 6 or better. School must offer the IB Diploma Program and appear on the IB School list Advanced Placement English A grade of 4 or better on the AP English College Board examination O-level, AS-Level, A-Level, GCSE, IGCSE: English Language or Literature course A final grade of B or better All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (ISSC): Core English Score of 75% or better issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (ISSC): Functional English Score of 80% or better issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education Indian School Certificate (ISC): English Score of 75% or better issued by the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) Show More add Show Less close Previous Education in English Students with a proven track record of studies in English may be considered proficient if they meet the criteria listed below. Please note that previous education in English may not satisfy ELP requirements for programs in the School of Health. Previous Education Requirements 3 or more years of full-time education in English (excluding ESL) in a country or institution where English is the official or primary language of instruction. Education must be equivalent to Alberta grade 12 and can be a combination of secondary and postsecondary training. Full-time means taking a minimum of 5 academic, for-credit courses taken per year in those 3 years. A ‘Medium of Instruction’ letter may be required. Completion of a minimum 2-year credential at a public, post-secondary institution in Canada. Studies must be full-time, consecutive, with a minimum GPA of 1.7. Graduation from a degree program offered by an accredited university at which English is the primary language of instruction. If the institution is located in a country where English is not the official language, a ‘Medium of Instruction’ letter is required. Successful completion of 3 years of full-time education at a school that is an accredited member of the Council of International Schools. You must have completed the senior or grade 12 level English Language or Literature Course (non-ESL) with a passing grade. Successful completion of 3 years of full-time study at a school with appropriate US regional accreditation. You must complete the senior or grade 12 level English Language or Literature course (non ESL) with a passing grade. Enrolment in English as a second language (ESL) courses or programs will not be included in the calculation of 3 years of full-time study. Enrolment must be in a regular high school or postsecondary for-credit program. Where students are registered in both ESL and regular programs, the ESL hours will be deducted from the total educational hours. Proof of 3 years of education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts, including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction. Failing grades or courses will not be counted when calculating full-time attendance. Only courses with passing grades will be considered. Students with a proven track record of studies in English may be considered proficient if they meet the criteria listed below. Please note that previous education in English may not satisfy ELP requirements for programs in the School of Health. Previous Education Requirements 3 or more years of full-time education in English (excluding ESL) in a country or institution where English is the official or primary language of instruction. Education must be equivalent to Alberta grade 12 and can be a combination of secondary and postsecondary training. Full-time means taking a minimum of 5 academic, for-credit courses taken per year in those 3 years. A ‘Medium of Instruction’ letter may be required. Completion of a minimum 2-year credential at a public, post-secondary institution in Canada. Studies must be full-time, consecutive, with a minimum GPA of 1.7. Graduation from a degree program offered by an accredited university at which English is the primary language of instruction. If the institution is located in a country where English is not the official language, a ‘Medium of Instruction’ letter is required. Successful completion of 3 years of full-time education at a school that is an accredited member of the Council of International Schools. You must have completed the senior or grade 12 level English Language or Literature Course (non-ESL) with a passing grade. Successful completion of 3 years of full-time study at a school with appropriate US regional accreditation. You must complete the senior or grade 12 level English Language or Literature course (non ESL) with a passing grade. Enrolment in English as a second language (ESL) courses or programs will not be included in the calculation of 3 years of full-time study. Enrolment must be in a regular high school or postsecondary for-credit program. Where students are registered in both ESL and regular programs, the ESL hours will be deducted from the total educational hours. Proof of 3 years of education must be submitted in the form of official transcripts, including details on course enrolment and hours of instruction. Failing grades or courses will not be counted when calculating full-time attendance. Only courses with passing grades will be considered. Show More add Show Less close ELP Exempt Countries Applicants from the following countries are recognized as having satisfied the ELP requirement, provided they have been educated at a qualifying educational institution for a minimum of three years. Other conditions may apply. American Samoa Malta Anguilla Mauritius requires minimum grade of B in GCE O-level English Antigua and Barbuda Montserrat Australia New Zealand Bahamas Nigeria Barbados Northern Ireland Belize Pacific Island Bermuda Panama Canal Zone Botswana Puerto Rico (English Stream) Brunei Ryuku Islands Cameroon must also present GCE O and A-levels from Cameroon GCE Board (requires at least a grade of B in GCE O-level English Language or Literature) Seychelles Canada Sierra Leone Cayman Islands Singapore Dominica South Africa must also present National Senior Certificate (requires a passing grade in English Home Language England St. Helena Falkland Islands St. Kitts and Nevis Fiji St. Lucia Gambia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ghana Scotland Gibraltar Tanzania Grenada Trinidad and Tobago Guam Turks and Caicos Island Guyana Uganda India must also present CBSE All India Senior Secondary School Certificate: (requires minimum 75% in one of Core English/Elective English/Elective English C or 80% in Functional English) or CISCE Indian School Certificate (requires minimum 75% in English) United States of America Ireland (Republic of Eire) Virgin Islands Jamaica Wales Kenya Zambia Liberia Zimbabwe Applicants from the following countries are recognized as having satisfied the ELP requirement, provided they have been educated at a qualifying educational institution for a minimum of three years. Other conditions may apply. American Samoa Malta Anguilla Mauritius requires minimum grade of B in GCE O-level English Antigua and Barbuda Montserrat Australia New Zealand Bahamas Nigeria Barbados Northern Ireland Belize Pacific Island Bermuda Panama Canal Zone Botswana Puerto Rico (English Stream) Brunei Ryuku Islands Cameroon must also present GCE O and A-levels from Cameroon GCE Board (requires at least a grade of B in GCE O-level English Language or Literature) Seychelles Canada Sierra Leone Cayman Islands Singapore Dominica South Africa must also present National Senior Certificate (requires a passing grade in English Home Language England St. Helena Falkland Islands St. Kitts and Nevis Fiji St. Lucia Gambia St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ghana Scotland Gibraltar Tanzania Grenada Trinidad and Tobago Guam Turks and Caicos Island Guyana Uganda India must also present CBSE All India Senior Secondary School Certificate: (requires minimum 75% in one of Core English/Elective English/Elective English C or 80% in Functional English) or CISCE Indian School Certificate (requires minimum 75% in English) United States of America Ireland (Republic of Eire) Virgin Islands Jamaica Wales Kenya Zambia Liberia Zimbabwe Show More add Show Less close Disclaimer NWP reserves the right to use discretion in determining language proficiency. Fulfillment of one of the listed requirements does not guarantee admission. Meeting ELP requirements for admission to NWP does not guarantee that a student meets the ELP requirements of other post-secondary institutions.