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How much English do I need to know?

English is the primary language of instruction at Mount Allison. Students are expected to speak and write comfortably, and must be able to follow lectures and write assignments and examinations in English. 
If your first language is not English, please provide documentation to show that you meet our English proficiency requirements. Admission preference is given to students who submit IELTS or TOEFL results. You may also provide proof of one of the following:

• Successful completion of at least three years of academic instruction at a Canadian secondary institution, as recognized by Mount Allison University
• Successful completion of at least 30 credit hours (or equivalent) at a post-secondary institution, as recognized by Mount Allison University, where English is the primary language of instruction
• TOEFL score of 550 (paper test), 213 (computer test), or 80 (internet test). (DI Code 0939)
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) with an overall score of 70, and no sub-test result below 60
• Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) by the University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). The minimum requirement is a grade of 'C'.
• Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) by the University of Cambridge. The minimum requirement is a grade of 'B'.
• A result of 5 or higher on a HL IB English exam.

What if I do not meet these requirements?

Students who meet Mount Allison's academic requirements, but who do not have the required level of English may be offered a conditional admission. Once you have successfully completed English preparatory studies and meet Mount Allison's academic English requirements, you will be able to begin your University level studies in either our September or January academic semesters.

We encourage you to:1) Continue English studies in your home country and raise your scores on TOEFL or IELTS, or 2) Attend Mount Allison's partner for English-language training, the International Language Institute (ILI), in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

ILI

Mount Allison's partnership with the International Language Institute (ILI) offers English-language training programs for international applicants who require it. Training needs are assessed by the ILI, and programs of varying lengths are offered accordingly. If you have been offered conditional admission by Mount Allison, you may be eligible to study in a special eight-week University Preparatory English (UP-English) program at the ILI. If you need more than the eight-week UP-English program, the ILI will send you an estimate of the time you will need in ILI's General English program. After successfully completing the University Preparatory (UP) program at the ILI, you may begin your Mount Allison studies. An added benefit of the ILI's UP program is that you will not be required to complete a TOEFL or IELTS exam to enter Mount Allison.

When do the ILI Programs begin?

The general English courses at the ILI usually start in each month of the year. To enable students to start at Mount Allison in September or January, the eight-week University Preparatory course begins in both July and October. For a comprehensive outline of the procedure for entering Mount Allison through the ILI, please click here (pdf). The costs of ILI courses can be estimated here. If you would like guidance and help through the application process, please contact us or the ILI.