English Language Studies
Need to improve your academic English language skills before starting your undergraduate studies? Challenge yourself in our full time English Language Studies (ELST) program
Our unique program provides you the opportunity to learn English and to bridge into undergraduate studies by taking one or two upper level university courses. We teach our ELST program on the same model as undergraduate courses so that you can adjust to workload demands, style of instruction and expectations before you attempt a full time undergraduate program.
If you apply yourself, you can succeed at university and have the English language skills that employers seek throughout the world. When you finish the program, you graduate with a Diploma in English Language Proficiency.
Placement in ELST requires that you provide test results prior to admission. Test results are needed in order to confirm that you are eligible to take courses at Kwantlen.
Should your test results indicate that you do not meet the minimum requirements for the lowest level ELST course offered, we will refer you to an English language school in Vancouver, British Columbia. Kwantlen does not offer Beginners courses. This is why it is required that you submit your test results before coming to Canada.
The ELST Program |
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| Levels | Required Reading & Writing | Required Listening & Speaking | Required Electives | Total Credits | Duration | |
| 3 | ELST 0381 | ELST 0383 | 2 university courses or ELST electives | 15 | 4 months | |
| 2 | ELST 0281 | ELST 0283 | 1 ELST elective & 1 university course | 15 | 4 months | |
| 1 | ELST 0181 | ELST 0183 | ELST elective | 15 | 4 months | |
| Foundation | ELST 0041 | ELST 0043 | ELST elective | 15 | 4 months | |
Each level takes four months to complete. Expect to spend 20 hours in class and 20 to 40 hours per week on homework and assignments. For more detailed information about the program, visit the online calendar. To learn more about the ELST department, visit the department website,
English Language Requirement
Kwantlen has a number of ways to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement for admission to open enrolment undergraduate studies.
*If you are planning to take the TOEFL, Kwantlen's institution code is 0157.
Please Note: Most Kwantlen programs require at least 3 credits of first-year English. While the above list meets general language requirements, further upgrading will be needed in order to study first year English. Students need to discuss their academic goals with an International Education Advisor to select the most suitable upgrading option.
English Language Studies (ELST)
Applicants who do not meet the General University English Proficiency requirement will be considered for the English Language Studies Diploma (ELST) program. To be eligible, applicants must have one of the following:
§ International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module score of 4.5 with a minimum of 4.0 on individual tests
§ An official TOEFL score of 32 or higher on the iBT test with a writing sub-score of 12 or higher with an oral assessment before classes start
§ An official TOEFL score of 97 or higher on the computer test with a TWE of 2 or higher with an oral assessment before classes start
§ An official TOEFL score of 400 or higher on the paper test with TWE of 2 or higher with an oral assessment before classes start
§ Accuplacer score of 78 with Kwantlen ESL Writing Assessment Band of 3 and Kwantlen Speaking Test (KIST) 25
Students already in Canada may write Kwantlen’s English Language Studies Tests. Visit www.kwantlen.ca/testing for more information.
English Language Schools in Vancouver
At Kwantlen Polytechnic University, we want to ensure that all students begin their studies with the appropriate level of English language training. If you have not met the minimum English language level for entry into Kwantlen, we recommend further training at one of our partner English language schools here in Vancouver.
All of the schools listed below offer excellent English language training and also offer a pathway that allows for an easy transition to Kwantlen. We encourage you to research these schools and choose the best one for you.
EF International Language Schools
www.ef.com
Contact: Erin Alefounder
4th Floor, 929 Granville Street
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604.633.0506
Email: erin.alefounder@ef.com
English Language and Culture Program
Simon Fraser University at Harbour Centre
www.sfu.ca/elc
Contact: Jacquie Sinclair
515 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
Tel. 778.782.7975
International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC)
www.ilac.com
Contact: Ally Ahu Eroltu
688 West Hastings Street, 3rd Floor
Vancouver, BC
Tel: 604.484.6660
Email: ally@ilac.com
