English Proficiency Proofs

Intensive English

Bellevue College’s English Language Institute (ELI) offers an Intensive English/University Preparation (UP) program that prepares students to enter Bellevue College’s college-level programs. 

To benefit from the program, students should have previous formal English study at a middle/high school, college, or English language school. New students whose English placement test scores fall below Level 1 will need to meet with the ELI Program Chair to find out if this is the right program. Students have the option of staying in the program provided they understand that they will be graded on their performance.

Bridge

Student must meet one of the following:

Type of English ProficiencyProof of English Proficiency
DuolingoOverall score of ≥85
IELTSOverall score of ≥5.5 with all sub-scores ≥5.0
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT)Overall score of ≥58
Paper-based TOEFL (PBT)Overall score of ≥493
Completion of Bellevue Colleges Intensive English ProgramLevel 5 Completion
Completion of a specified English language school levelCompletion of Level B2-3 at EF International Language Schools

High Intermediate level at Kaplan

ALPS SIRWS 5 with a grade of 75% or higher AND a minimum score of 69 on the CaMLA EPT exit exam at ALPS Language School

Intensive Level 109 at ELS Language Centers

Highest level at an intensive English school (must submit a verification letter from the school official and considered on a case-by-case basis)

Completion of the first-half of International House San Diego’s (IHSD) American Language Benchmark 7, equivalent to IELTS overall score of 5.0

Completion of Level 5 at California Language Academy

Completion of the “Mid-intermediate” level at International House San Diego

Student must meet one of the following:

  • 95 with a Production Score of 75 or higher
  • Incoming college-level students will receive automatic placement into either English 93 or English 101. Students must still enroll in their placement level class.
  • More information about Duolingo English Test

  • Overall score of 6.0 with all sub-scores 5.5 or higher
  • More information about Academic IELTS

  • 61 (iBT) or 500 (PBT)
  • More information about TOEFL
  • TOEFL has released a new scoring system as of January 21, 2026 and Bellevue College is currently in the process of creating our score equivalences. TOEFL test takers will receive two styles of scores when they receive their results: one from the new 1 to 6 scale, and one from the 0 to 120 scale. The former 1 to 120 scale will be included in TOEFL test results until January 21, 2028, and will continue to be the default scoring scale at Bellevue College until we determine the equivalency. Please reach out to ie@bellevuecollege.edu if you have any questions on the TOEFL scoring system or how to submit your new TOEFL scores to us.

With a grade of “C-“

A valid placement result from another college into the equivalent of BC’s English 101

  • Successful completion of Advanced (C1) level at Kaplan.
  • Successful completion of Level 6 at California Language Academy.
  • Successful completion of Advanced (C1-1) level at EF International Language Schools, Inc.

  • If SAT or ACT taken within the last five years or PSAT taken within the last two years
  • SAT or PSAT Reading/Writing score of 480 or higher
  • ACT Composite score of 22 or higher

  • 3 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
  • (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
  • More information about Smarter Balanced ELA

  • 4 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
  • (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
  • More information about the IB International Baccalaureate

Successful completion of the advance 5 with a passing grade (a verification letter from the school official is required) (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)

Two years of regular English courses (non-ESL) in a U.S. high school or international school with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)

If your citizenship is from one of the countries listed below, please submit your passport to the “English Proficiency” section of the application in addition to the passport section.

1. Anguilla, 2. Antigua and Barbuda, 3. Australia, 4. Bahamas, 5. Barbados, 6. Belize, 7. Bermuda, 8. Botswana, 9. British Virgin Islands,10. Cameroon, 11. Canada (except Quebec), 12. Cayman Islands, 13. Dominica, 14. England, 15. Fiji, 16. The Gambia, 17. Ghana, 18. Gibraltar, 19. Grenada, 20. Guyana, 21. Ireland, Northern, 22. Ireland, Republic of, 23. Jamaica, 24. Kenya, 25. Lesotho, 26. Liberia, 27. Malawi, 28. Malta, 29. Mauritius, 30. Montserrat, 31. Namibia, 32. New Zealand, 33. Nigeria, 34. Papua New Guinea, 35. Scotland, 36. Seychelles, 37. Sierra Leone, 38. Singapore, 39. Solomon Islands, 40. South Africa, 41. St. Kitts and Nevis, 42. St. Lucia, 43. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 44. Swaziland, 45. Tanzania, 46. Tonga, 47. Trinidad and Tobago, 48. Turks and Caicos Islands, 49. Uganda, 50. United Kingdom, 51. Vanuatu, 52. Wales, 53. Zambia, 54. Zimbabwe

If your citizenship is from one of the countries listed below:

Submit your passport to the “English Proficiency” section of the application in addition to the passport section.

  1. Anguilla
  2. Antigua and Barbuda
  3. Australia
  4. Bahamas
  5. Barbados
  6. Belize
  7. Bermuda
  8. Botswana
  9. British Virgin Islands
  10. Cameroon
  11. Canada (except Quebec)
  12. Cayman Islands
  13. Dominica
  14. England
  15. Fiji
  16. The Gambia
  17. Ghana
  18. Gibraltar
  19. Grenada
  20. Guyana
  21. Ireland
  22. Northern Ireland
  23. Jamaica
  24. Kenya
  25. Lesotho
  26. Liberia
  27. Malawi
  28. Malta
  29. Mauritius
  30. Montserrat
  31. Namibia
  32. New Zealand
  33. Nigeria
  34. Papua New Guinea
  35. Scotland
  36. Seychelles
  37. Sierra Leone
  38. Singapore
  39. Solomon Islands
  40. South Africa
  41. St. Kitts and Nevis
  42. St. Lucia
  43. St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  44. Swaziland
  45. Tanzania
  46. Tonga
  47. Trinidad and Tobago
  48. Turks and Caicos Islands
  49. Uganda
  50. United Kingdom
  51. Vanuatu
  52. Wales
  53. Zambia
  54. Zimbabwe

Our Location:

IE Room U-202

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Last Updated July 20, 2026