English Language Proficiency Requirements

Universities require English Proficiency Test scores from any student whose English language skills are in doubt. English Proficiency Tests determine whether a student has the English skills they need to study at university. Many universities do not admit students until the English Proficiency Requirement has been satisfied.

For details about English language proficiency requirements for Canadian universities, please refer to the chart of “English Language Proficiency Requirements for Ontario Universities” and “Outside Ontario University Admissions – Fall/September Entry 2019” in the last few pages in this handout. If you have any questions about the testing at CIC, go see Ms. Rebecca Last in the External Testing Office in Room 159.

The most popular tests you can take are:

  • TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language (www.ets.org/toefl)
  • IELTS – International English Language Testing System (www.ielts.org)
  • CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (www.cael.ca)
  • MELAB – Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (www.lsa.umich.edu/eli/testing/melab/)
  • COPE – Certificate of Proficiency in English (www.copetest.com) (can only be taken at U of Toronto campus and recognized for admissions to U of Toronto three campuses)
English Language Proficiency Requirements For Ontario Universities – 2019 Admissions
INSTITUTION TOEFL (iBT) IELTS MELAB CAEL Other tests or equivalent requirements
Algoma U 79-80 6.0 90 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Brock U 88 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, YELT, PTE,*Higher results required for Education
Carleton U 86 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Guelph 89 6.5 85 70 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
Lakehead U 80 6.5 85 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, *Higher results required for Nursing
Laurentian U 88 6.5 80 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
McMaster U 86 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
Nipissing U 86 6.5 90 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
Ontario College of Art&Design (OCAD) 84 6.5 N/A 70 4 years full time academic study in an Eng. speaking edu. system, COPE, PTE
U of Ottawa 86 6.5 90 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
Queen’s U 88 6.5 90 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
Ryerson U 83 – 93 6.5 85 – 90 60 – 70 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
U of Toronto 100 6.5 85 70 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, COPE
Trent U 86 6.5 85 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
U of Ont. Institute of Technology (UOIT) 83 6.5 85 70 ENG4U 70% for CIC students, 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE, *Higher results required for Education and Nursing programs
U of Waterloo 90 6.5 85 70 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
Western University 83 6.5 80 60 Both ENG3U & ENG4U at 75% or higher, 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE, *Higher results required for some programs and campuses
Wilfrid Laurier U 83-90 6.5-7.0 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
U of Windsor 83 6.5 85 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, PTE
York U 83 – 100 6.5-7.5 85 70 Both ENG3U & ENG4U at 75% or higher, OR ENG4U 80% or higher (Only for application to LA&PS), 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, YELT
English Language Proficiency Requirements For Canadian Universities (outside Ontario) – 2019 Admissions
INSTITUTION TOEFL iBT IELTS MELAB CAEL Other tests or equivalent requirements
Acadia U 90 6.5 80 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Alberta 86 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of British Columbia 90 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in a Canadian high school, or 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system outside of Canada
Bishop’s U 90 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Brandon U 80 6.5 80 60 70% in ENG4U OR 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Calgary 86 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, *Higer results required for Education and Nursing
Cape Breton U 80 6.5 85 60 2 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Concordia U 90 7.0 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Dalhousie U 90 6.5 81 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Lethbridge 80 6.0 80 60 80% in ENG4U OR 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Manitoba 86 6.5 80 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
McGill U 90-100 6.5 85 70 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Memorial U 79 6.5 85 50-60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Mount Allison U 90 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Mount St. Vincent U 86-92 6.5 80-84 60
U of New Brunswick (Fredricton) 92-100 6.5 N/A 70 1 year full time academic study in a Canadian high school with 70% in ENG4U, 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of New Brunswick (St. John) 85 6.5 N/A 60
U of Northern British Columbia 90 6.5 80 70 70% in ENG4U OR 5 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Prince Edward Island 80 6.5 80 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system, *Higer results required for Education and Nursing
U of Regina 80 6.5 85 70 3U and 4U ENG during 2 years of study in CAN/US OR 80% in ENG4U; *Higer results required for Nursing
Saint Mary’s U 80 6.5 N/A 60 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Saskatchewan 86 6.5 85 70 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
Simon Fraser U 88 6.5 N/A N/A 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system with 75% in ENG4U
St. Francis Xavier U 92 6.5 90 70 2 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
St. Thomas U 89 6.5 80 60
U of Victoria 90 6.5 90 70 86% in ENG4U OR 4 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system
U of Winnipeg 80 6.5 80 60 70% in ENG4U OR 3 years full time academic study in an English speaking education system