There are many ways to meet English language requirements for international admissions. You just need to meet one of these requirements to satisfy our English requirement. Learn how. 

Pasadena City College accepts the following English language tests for admission as long as they were taken within two years from the test date.

Minimum score requirements for each test:

If you are a national of one of the following countries (or have a bachelor’s degree or higher from one of these countries), you may be exempt from submitting evidence of English language proficiency. 

Note: Citizenship alone does not qualify for an exemption. Exemption is based on where the student completed their education. Provide academic transcripts from high school or university to verify. 

  • Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Fiji
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Liberia
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Micronesia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

You may also meet the English Proficiency requirement through these other options:

Options Required Documentation
U.S. College of University
  • Completion of a college-level English composition course in the U.S. OR
  • Completion of a U.S. college/university degree
  • Official transcript showing a grade of C or higher in the English composition course OR
  • Official transcript showing that a degree was awarded
U.S. High School
  • Completion of grades 10 to 12 in the U.S.
  • Official transcript showsing a grade C or higher
International High/Secondary School
  • Completion of 3 or more years at a school where English is the primary language of instruction
  • School profile or letter on official school letterhead confirming that English is the sole medium of instruction
Completion of ESL Program at PCC-Approved Partners
  • Certificate of completion or official letter from the ESL school

Note: PCC also accepts the highest level of ESL program from any accredited U.S. language school.

IMPORTANT

An exemption from the English proficiency requirement does not exempt you from completing PCC's Guided Self-Placement for English/ESL. 

Students Who Cannot Meet English Requirement

Students who cannot meet PCC's English language requirements can be conditionally admitted to PCC, which means you will gain full admissions to PCC as soon as you complete our English proficiency requirement at a partner English Language School.

You must gain admissions at one of our English Language Partners in order to be conditionally admitted and intend to start at PCC after completing the minimum English level. After you meet that minimum English level, you are guaranteed admissions to PCC. 

Visit Conditional Admissions for learn more.