The primary purpose of the AIIAS English Center is to provide an educational support service to prepare students to study in one of the graduate academic programs. The English language program offered on the campus of AIIAS has been developed by professionals to give students intensive and personalized instruction in the English language in an English-speaking environment. It also enables individuals to be trained in English Language Skills as participants in meeting their professional and/or mission development goals.
AIIAS is an English-speaking institution, and English is the language of instruction and production for all on-campus and online courses. Because of its international nature, however, AIIAS courses bring together both teachers and students who speak different primary languages. Given the nature of graduate work, proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English is important for a successful graduate student experience. For this reason, all on-campus and online applicants need to be proficient in English. Demonstrating English proficiency is much like other proficiency tests but has some additional regulations. English proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
English test results are valid for 2 years.
A minimum score of 68 for professional degrees, and a minimum score of 79 for doctoral and academic degrees.
Band score average of at least 6.0 for professional degrees, and a band of 6.5 for all doctoral and MA academic degrees.
The test offered at the English Center is the Versant English Placement Test (VEPT). A minimum score of 56 for professional degrees, and a minimum score of 60 for doctoral and academic degrees.
Students who do not provide a passing score issued from TOEFL iBT or IELTS may take the English Placement Test on campus on the dates designated in the AIIAS academic calendar, normally shortly before the beginning of every term. The test offered at the English Center is the Versant English Placement Test (VEPT). It is an online computer-based examination that evaluates non-native English speakers’ speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. It takes around fifty (50) minutes to finish, which includes 81 questions. Candidates can also request to take the same placement test before leaving their home country using the VEPT Remote Proctoring.
A student who receives a score of 39 or below on the VEPT (CEFR A1) will work full-time on English and register for Beginner English (Level 1). If, at the end of the term, a student has obtained a B grade or above and has fulfilled the course requirements by demonstrating in coursework the ability to communicate in basic English in everyday experiences, the student may register for Elementary English (Level 2). Note: Students who enter Level 1 with a score of less than 30, will have difficulty satisfactorily completing Level 1 within one term, and will likely need to repeat the class.
The student who receives a score of 40-45 on the VEPT (CEFR A2+) will work full time on English and register for Elementary English (Level 2). If at the end of the term a student has fulfilled the course requirements by demonstrating in coursework the ability to communicate in English at an intermediate level and has completed the coursework with a B grade or above, the student will proceed to Level 3.
The student who receives a score of 46-50 on the VEPT (CEFR B1) will study English full time and register for Intermediate English (Level 3). If at the end of the term the student has obtained a B grade or above and has fulfilled the course requirements by demonstrating in coursework an advanced ability to communicate in everyday experiences and to communicate successfully in basic academic contexts, the student will proceed to Level 4.
The student who receives a score of 51-59 on the VEPT (CEFR B2) will study English full time and register for Upper-Intermediate English (Level 4). After satisfactorily completing Level 4, the student has the choice to take the VEPT, TOEFL iBT or IELTS.
Complete the Admission for Application process.
Send an email to ecdirector@aiias.edu.
TERM A – August to October
TERM B – October to December
TERM A – January to March
TERM B – March to May
English Placement Test – June 4, 2026
English Center Registration – June 5, 2026
Classes Begin – June 8, 2026
Classes End – August 4, 2026
English requirements for Cohort and Distance Learning Center students can be considered under three categories:
Every Cohort or DLC student needing to take a course in a different cohort or modality will be required to demonstrate the relevant level of English proficiency if he/she is not under category 1.
An alternative assessment of English proficiency may be permitted through the Graduate
School and Seminary as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the applicant and in compliance
with the policies of their respective school. The final decision of a program’s recommended
waiver would rest with ASAC.
englishcenter@aiias.edu
+63 (46) 414 4318 from
Monday to Thursday at 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays at 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Each term is 8 to 9 weeks long. There are 5 terms in one school year.
There are 4 levels ranging from Elementary (A1) to Intermediate (B2)
Anyone who is at least 16 years old and would like to learn and improve English language skills, particularly those who would like to continue studying at AIIAS or at an English-speaking institution.
TERM A – August to October
TERM B – October to December
TERM A – January to March
TERM B – March to May
English Placement Test – June 4, 2026
English Center Registration – June 5, 2026
Classes Begin – June 8, 2026
Classes End – August 4, 2026
Based on a placement test which can be taken prior to the beginning of each term. You can take either one of these tests from home:
