After arrival at UFV, international students who have not provided their TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL, CanTEST, MELAB or LPI scores are required to attend the UFV English language placement assessment, which is generally held one week before the semester begins. The UFV ESL Program is an academic preparation program, and full time ESL studies at the beginner level are not available. Beginning in Winter 2012, students will require the equivalent of an IELTS overall band score of 4.5 with a minimum band score of 4.0 or a TOEFL iBT score of 52 for full time ESL studies.
Taking the language assessment test at UFV is not recommended, especially for students who are applying for an academic study or foundation program. It is in students’ best interest to provide test results before arrival in Canada to ensure they can be registered into the courses that they need.
The assessment takes approximately two hours and the results determine final placement and course selection. Students who have been accepted into academic or career programs based on their TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL, CanTEST, MELAB, or LPI score do not need to attend the UFV English language placement test. There is no fee for the English language assessment. (Note: There is a $100 fee for specially scheduled assessments for late arrivals or students unable to attend a regularly scheduled assessment date.)
Students who applied to the ESL Program are placed in their appropriate level and can then choose their ESL elective(s).
Students who are placed at the Foundation 1 Level (ESL level 70) and/or Foundation 2 Level (ESL level 80) may begin their studies in a combined program of ESL and academic courses (depending on academic course availability and GPA).
Students who applied to an academic or career program but did not achieve the requisite level of English, are required to begin their studies in the ESL program.
Students whose assessment indicates they do not require additional language training may begin full-time study in their chosen discipline, subject to course availability and GPA.
