Graduate English Requirements Overview – Vancouver

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) Vancouver is committed to supporting students in the admissions process who possess the English language proficiency necessary to succeed in their academic and professional journeys. Applicants whose first language is not English and may not qualify for the exemption of English proficiency tests must submit results from an acceptable English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, iTEP).  

Minimum English Language Requirements for Direct Entry

• English language proficiency requirements must be satisfied before admission is finalized unless the applicant qualifies for conditional admission. 
• Official test results must be sent directly from the testing organization or verified through approved electronic verification systems. 
• FDU reserves the right to request additional documentation when necessary to verify English language proficiency. 
• English language proficiency requirements are separate from academic admission requirements and must be met independently. 

Not Meeting the Minimum English Requirements? 

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English proficiency requirement may be possible to be admitted as a qualifying student or as a conditional admission with  

• Academic English support through the Integrated Learning Centre. Effective for students beginning in the Winter 2027 intake. Additional information will be available soon.

• English pathway programs with our partner language schools. For more information, please click here.   

Exemption from English Proficiency Tests for Admission  

You are exempted from providing an English Proficiency Test score for admission purposes in the following scenarios:  

• Pathway Program: You have successfully completed a Pathway Program at one of FDU Vancouver’s Pathway Partner institutions within the past 2 years or are registered for a Pathway program.  
• Transfer credit: You have completed an English course for which FDU grants credit for English Composition 1 (or equivalent) with a grade C or higher from an accredited University or College in Canada or USA that you have attended within the last 10 years.  
• Attended a U.S. or Canadian High School: You have achieved a minimum grade 67% on the provincial examination of English 12, or equivalent.   
• Graduated and earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in the Philippines, where English is the primary language of instruction. Applicants must include a medium of instruction certificate with their application documents unless it is clearly indicated on the transcript.  
• Completed International Baccalaureate Diploma program, including English A (HL/SL) or English Literature and Performance (SL) 
• Advanced Placement: A score of 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition or English Language and Literature 
• GCSE A Level English or English Language, minimum grade 4 or C 
• Attended other accredited Institutions at which English is the primary language of instruction in any country listed in Table 1*, under the following scenarios:   
  • Graduated from a recognized degree program and earned an associate, bachelor, or master’s degree, or  
  • Completed a 2-year post-secondary diploma program, or  
  • Completed at least two academic years of studies at an accredited university, or 
  • Completed a high school diploma (minimum 2 years)  

Certificates and vocational programs are not eligible for the English proficiency test exemption. 

*Table 1 – List of countries that satisfy the English language requirements