English Requirements - International Programs and Services
International students * who wish to be admitted to an Ohlone College degree program or certificate program must demonstrate proof of English proficiency. This may be done any of the following ways:
* On this web page and all other pages of the International Programs and Services website, “International students” means students on or wishing to obtain the F-1 Student Visa.
Ohlone College ELI
Students who successfully complete the top level of the Ohlone College English Language Institute (ELI) may join and study in an Ohlone College degree program, without having to take the TOEFL exam. This is the TOEFL Waiver option.
Please see the Ohlone College ELI website for more information.
TOEFL
The TOEFL is conducted in 1 of 3 standard formats. These are below, along with the Ohlone College minimum required score for each type of test:
| TOEFL Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
| internet-Based Test (iBT) | 57 or higher |
| Computer-Based Test (CBT) | 163 or higher |
| Paper-Based Test (PBT) | 490 or higher |
Some organizations offer a non-official version of the TOEFL, called the Institutional TOEFL exam. Ohlone College does accept Institutional TOEFL exam results. Please contact the Office of International Programs and Services for more information.
Visit the main TOEFL website for more detailed information on the TOEFL, including official test locations and how to register.
IELTS
The IELTS - International English Language Testing System – is another English proficiency test Ohlone College accepts.
| IELTS Test | Required Score |
|---|---|
| Overall Band Score | 5.5 or higher |
Visit the IELTS website for more information.
EIKEN
Students may use STEP-EIKEN scores for admission to Ohlone College. An EIKEN Grade of 2A or higher is acceptable.
Visit the EIKEN website for more information.
Other Measures of English Proficiency
Students who have studied for 3 years or more in high school, college or university in a country in which English is a first language, or in a school in which the primary language of instruction is English, can submit proof of this fact as proof of sufficient English proficiency.
Students who have passed the equivalent of Ohlone College course English 101A, with a C grade or better, at another U.S. community college or university can submit an official transcript and relevant course description(s) demonstrating this, as proof of sufficient English proficiency.
Scores of 700 or above on the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) may be used for admission by students who wish to pursue Ohlone College credit course studies for just 1 or 2 semesters. Students who wish to study for a degree or certificate from Ohlone College must fulfill one of the other forms of English proficiency proof listed at this web site.
The Ohlone College International Programs and Services office also has agreements in place with some English programs in the U.S., whereby a student’s completion of a certain level of English study in that program qualifies the student for a “TOEFL Waiver.” This means that the student is considered directly admissible, English language-wise, by Ohlone College. If you are presently studying at an English program in the U.S. you may wish to contact an administrator at your program to ask if it has this kind of agreement in place with Ohlone College.
Ohlone College Placement Tests in English, including tests in English as a Second Language (ESL), may not be used for admission to Ohlone College. Placement tests offered by other community colleges also may not be used for this purpose. Students who do not demonstrate English proficiency via one of the above-listed means are encouraged to consider the option of joining the Ohlone College English Language Institute.
Please contact the Office of International Programs and Services for more information.
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