English Language Centre - Intensive Academic English Program Applicant admission requirements

The English Language Centre (ELC) at the University of Manitoba (UM) provides in-person and remote courses to students whose first language is not English in order to support academic success and participation in the University of Manitoba community.

The ELC offers several programs:

The full-time Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) prepares students for university studies by providing them with the language skills necessary to succeed academically. The IAEP helps students meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement for most programs at the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg and Red River College. Please check the specific English Language Proficiency requirements for your program of interest.

Six-Month Programming is intended for students who want to improve their English and study at the IAEP for one and a half terms.

Short-term programs are intended for students who want to improve their English and plan to study for a half-term at the IAEP.

Explore is an intensive language immersion Spring/Summer program that offers government funding for Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents students, whose first language is not English, to enhance their English language knowledge and skills. This program is also available to international students for a fee.

The IAEP helps students meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement for most programs at the University of Manitoba (undergraduate studies, graduate studies, and certificate programs)

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the IAEP, students must:

• be 17 or older before the start of the term,
• be an international student, Canadian citizen, or permanent resident whose first language is not English,
• meet Canada Immigration requirements (international students only),
• read, understand, and abide by all program guidelines including the refund policy

All students who have not been admitted directly into Level 5 will take a placement test. Students will be required to take the Duolingo English Test (DET). This test will determine which level students are placed in.

This placement test is required for all new students, except for those who have already met the Level 5 entrance requirement.

Level 5 Entrance Requirement***:

• 5.5 (Academic) or higher in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• 5.5 (Academic) or higher in the International English Language Testing System Indicator (IELTS Indicator)
• Minimum 16 in each component and 70 overall on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Home Edition)
• 50 or higher in the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
• 45 Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Duolingo English Test (95 and above)

*** The ELC reserves the right to place a student in a level the Centre believes is appropriate for maximum learning, regardless of any standardized English proficiency test result.

Attendance Policy

• Students who exceed 10 absences will fail the term.
• ELC Fieldtrips (one or two per term) are considered class time and attendance will be taken (in-person only)

Withdrawal Policy

• Students must request an official withdrawal in writing to the ELC Office.
• The ELC does not refund:
  • ELC Application fees
  • $500 non-refundable tuition fee (NRF)
• Students who do not officially withdraw, but stop attending, will be marked as a FAIL, with no refunds given.

More information on withdrawal, deferral and refund policies can be found here on the website: IAEP withdrawal, deferral and refund policies

Course Information

For information about course content, course schedule, textbooks and technical requirements, visit our Course information page.

You have 8 options to apply:

1. Conditional Admission: English Language Centre Plus University Studies (Advanced/Direct Entry)
2. Regular Admission: English Language Centre Only
3. Six-month English Programming
4. Short-Term Academic English Programming
5. Already applied to University of Manitoba – need English Language Centre
6. Conditional Admission to one-year Certificate Programs
7. Conditional Admission to the International College of Manitoba
8. Explore Program

To apply for options 1 and 2, please go to the UM Undergraduate application portal.

To apply for options 3, 6 and 7 please contact elc@umanitoba.ca

To apply for option 4, please go to the Short-Term Academic English Programming

To apply for option 5, please contact elcapps@umanitoba.ca

To apply for options 8, please go to the Explore Program

1. Conditional Admission: English Language plus University Studies (Advanced/Direct Entry)

Conditional admission is an option where you will gain acceptance to an undergraduate program on the condition that you complete the English Language Centre’s Level 5 program first. This is an excellent option for students who have met all other academic requirements but do not meet the University’s English Language Proficiency requirements.

After you complete the ELC’s Level 5 program you will be able to move directly into your undergraduate program without submitting a new application. Once you are accepted for conditional admission you will be granted a Standardized Letter of Acceptance which can be used for study permit application purposes to Immigration Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). IRCC requires an additional document called the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) issued by the provincial government. For more information visit: Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) | Explore UM | University of Manitoba.

Conditional Admission is available for:

Direct Entry (available for students who completed high school or have less than 24 credit hours of post-secondary education).

• University 1 (for first year students)
• Faculty of Arts
• Faculty of Science

Advanced Entry (available for students who have more than 24 credit hours of post-secondary education)

• Bachelor of Arts (General) (degree program for transfer students)
• Bachelor of Science (General) (degree program for transfer students)

Note: Students are required to declare all levels of previous post-secondary education on the application. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

Students who wish to apply to other faculties such as Business or Engineering must submit a separate application after they have completed their studies in the English Language Centre.

2. Regular Admission (English Language Centre Only)

Regular Admission is an option that allows students to be accepted solely into the English Language Centre. This option is ideal for those who want to improve their academic English skills, as well as for students planning to pursue graduate-level studies¹, or an undergraduate program that does not offer a conditional admission option².

Students who are accepted for Regular Admission will be required to pay a non-refundable tuition deposit fee after which they will be issued a Letter of Acceptance for one semester of study (about 4 months).

Note: No documents such as transcripts or proof of graduation are necessary when applying for regular admission. If you have an English Proficiency Score (such as IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, etc.) please submit it when applying or by email to elc@umanitoba.ca

¹ Students need to apply directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
² Students need to apply directly to the undergraduate program

3. Six-month Academic English Programming

This option is intended for students who want to improve their English and plan to study for up to six months at the English Language Centre’s Intensive Academic English Program.

Students will only be placed in the Foundations Level or Levels 1-4.

For more information and to apply, please contact elc@umanitoba.ca

4. Short-Term Academic English Programming

Short-term programs are intended for students who want to improve their English and plan to study for a half-term at the English Language Centre.

For more information, visit the Short-Term Academic English Programming page on our website.

5. Already applied to University of Manitoba- Need English Language Centre

If you have already submitted an initial application to an undergraduate program, but you do not meet the University of Manitoba English Language Proficiency Requirement, you can request to have your application changed to conditional admission.

To do this please send an email to elcapps@umanitoba.ca to confirm that conditional admission is possible—we currently offer conditional admission to University 1, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science.

You will then be asked to apply to the English Language Centre Only. Once this application is submitted and the application fee is paid, your applications will be combined, and you will be assessed for conditional admission.

6. Conditional Admission to one-year Certificate Programs

Extended Education (EE) has partnered with the English Language Centre (ELC) to offer students a conditional pathway to admission into Applied Business Management, Applied Human Resources Management, and Applied Business Analysis.

Students who successfully complete the Academic English Program for University and College Entrance (AEPUCE)/Level 5 of the Intensive Academic English (IAEP) meet the English language proficiency requirements for the intensive programs.

Students can gain conditional admission to the intensive programs provided they meet the following criteria:

• Meet the IAEP Level 5/ AEPUCE Entrance Requirements.
• Meet the intensive programs education and work experience admission requirements.

For more information about the Intensive Programs please contact: extended@umanitoba.ca

7. Conditional Admission to the International College of Manitoba

If you don’t meet the minimum English language requirements for your desired International College of Manitoba (ICM) program, you may choose to enroll in UM’s Intensive Academic English Program (IAEP) to improve your academic English language proficiency. IAEP is the only English language program that will gain you conditional admission to ICM!

For more information go to English language requirements - International College of Manitoba or contact elc@umanitoba.ca or

8. Explore

Explore is an intensive language immersion program that offers opportunities for Canadian citizens and permanent resident students whose first language is not English. Participants will enhance their English language knowledge and skills in a supportive and enriching environment, all while creating great memories. They will engage with local culture and discover what Winnipeg and Manitoba have to offer.

This program is also available to international students.

For more information, check the Eligibility Requirements & Application section of our website.

IAEP

 6-month programming

Short-Term Academic English Programming

*English Proficiency results (if you have any). High school transcripts, post-secondary education transcripts, proof of graduation (diploma, certificate, etc.) and any other academic documentation requested. This applies for conditional admission to undergraduate degree studies.

Explore

The Explore program runs during the Spring/Summer term only. We offer the following sessions:

• In-Person 18+ (Duration - 5 weeks)
• Virtual 16+ (Duration - 5 weeks)
• Virtual 13–15-year-olds (Duration - 3 weeks)

Placement Test Scores Submission Deadline: Around 1 month before the start of the program. An email with the date and instructions will be sent to the student. Explore Program Information

For program dates, eligibility requirements and application deadline, please visit: https://englishfrench.ca/explore/ 

The University of Manitoba is committed to providing all students equal access to learning opportunities. If you are a student with a diagnosed disability (permanent, chronic, or temporary) who may require academic accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services at 204-474-7423 or by email at student_accessibility@umanitoba.ca to learn more about the confidential supports that are available.

The following other contacts may also be useful.