English Language Proficiency

All international applicants for whom English is a non-native language must provide proof of English language proficiency to be eligible for admission. Students must demonstrate proficiency in English regardless of citizenship status or country of origin.

Preferred Tests
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English using one of the following options:

These scores are the general minimum.
Note: An institutional version of the TOEFL is not acceptable.

Additional Proficiency Options

• Students who have attended and completed an American international school abroad with passing grades in English courses through the third year at the time of application review with an anticipated completion of English courses in the fourth year.
• Students who graduate from an English-only secondary school or an IB program may be waived from the TOEFL or IELTS requirement based on academic records.
• Students with U.S. college English coursework (two semesters): Grade of ‘B’ or better
• Students who have obtained an undergraduate degree or graduate degree from a recognized institution where English is the language of instruction.

Exemptions
The decision to waive the standard requirement is at the discretion of the International Admission Committee and is based on the strength of the student’s academic performance. It is therefore recommended that all students whose first language is not English take either the TOEFL or IELTS test as part of the application process.

Applicants who are citizens of and attend high school in the following countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement:

• Antigua and Barbuda 
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St. Kitts
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Kingdom

Applicants who have completed a degree program at universities in the following countries may be exempt from proof of proficiency in English:

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bhutan
• Botswana
• Canada
• Cayman Islands
• Dominica
• Eritrea
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gambia
• Ghana
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Hong Kong*
• India
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Lesotho
• Liberia

• Malawi
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• Namibia
• New Zealand
• Nigeria
• Palau
• Papau New Guinea
• Pakistan
• St. Kitts & Nevis
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent/Grenadines
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• Tonga
• Swaziland
• Tanzania
• United Kingdom
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Uganda
• Zimbabwe
• United States of America
• Zambia

 
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission is available for ESL learners wishing to enroll in the degree programs at St. Norbert College but who fail to meet the English proficiency requirements. Learn more about the St. Norbert College English as a Second Language Institute.