Admissions & Transfer

Spoken English Language Proficiency Requirement (SELP)

In addition to the English Language Proficiency requirement for general admission to the University of Lethbridge (see Admission, English Language Requirements of the Undergraduate Calendar and Course Catalogue), applicants to the Faculty of Health Sciences must also meet a Spoken English Language Proficiency requirement. This additional SELP requirement is essential because students must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, instructors, professionals and the public in a variety of settings.

The SELP requirement must be met prior to admission and may be shown in one of the following ways:

Note: Test-based assessments must have successfully met requirements within the two years prior to the term of admission.

  1. At least six consecutive years of full-time study in a country where the primary language is English from a recognized institution where the language of instruction is English. These studies must include satisfactory completion of English Language Arts 30-1 or its equivalent, or satisfactory completion of a university-level course in English (minimum 3.0 credit hours).
  2. A score of at least 26 on the iBT TOEFL (or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) Speaking section.
  3. A score of at least 7.5 on the Academic IELTS (or IELTS Online) band for Speaking.
  4. A score of at least 70 on the CAEL (or CAEL Online) sub-test for Speaking.
  5. A score of at least 3 on the MELAB Speaking section.
  6. Current registration with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) or College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA).

The SELP requirement must be met prior to admission and may be shown in one of the following ways:

  1. Academic Study
    1. At least six years of full-time academic study in English at a recognized institution in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language (see Recognized Countries, below).
    2. Successful completion of a baccalaureate degree in English at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada or another country where English is recognized as the primary language of instruction (see Recognized Countries, below).
       
  2. SELP Assessments (Must have been completed within two years prior to the term of admission)
    1. A score of at least 26 on the iBT TOEFL (or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) Speaking section.
    2. A score of at least 7.5 on the Academic IELTS (or IELTS Online) band for Speaking.
    3. A score of at least 70 on the CAEL (or CAEL Online) sub-test for Speaking.
    4. A score of at least 3 on the MELAB Speaking section.
    5. A score of at least 76 on the PTE Academic Speaking section.
       

  3. Recognized Countries
    For the purposes of administering the SELP requirement, the University of Lethbridge recognizes designated countries where the primary language is English:

    Anguilla
    Antigua and Barbuda
    Australia
    Bahamas
    Barbados
    Belize
    Bermuda
    Botswana
    Canada
    Cayman Islands
    Dominica
    England
    Falkland Islands
    Fiji
    Gambia
    Ghana
    Gibraltar
    Grenada
    Guam
    Guyana
    India: must also present CBSE All India Senior Secondary School Certificate (Converted to Canadian equivalent of 75% in one of Core English/Elective English or 80% in Functional English) or CISCE Indian School Certificate (Converted to Canadian equivalent of 75% in English)
    Ireland (Northern)
    Ireland (Republic of)
    Jamaica
    Kenya
    Liberia    		Malawi
    Malta
    Mauritius
    Montserrat
    New Zealand
    Nigeria
    St. Helena
    St. Kitts and Nevis
    St. Lucia
    St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    Scotland
    Sierra Leone
    Singapore
    South Africa: must also present National Senior Certificate (passing grade in English Home Language)
    Tanzania
    Trinidad and Tobago
    Turks and Caicos Islands
    Uganda
    United States of America
    Virgin Islands
    Wales
    Zambia
    Zimbabwe