English Language Requirements
English is the language of instruction and examination at the University of Toronto, and success in our programs requires a high level of English language proficiency.
University of Toronto English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language (i.e. is not the first language you learned at home as a child), you will need to provide evidence of adequate English facility, unless any of the following scenarios apply to you:
- You have completed/are completing four or more years of full-time academic study in a recognized Canadian school (in Canada) that teaches in English.
- You have completed/are completing four or more years of full-time academic study in an English language school located in a country where the dominant language is English.
- French is your first language and you have completed four or more years of full-time academic study at a Canadian school.
If you do meet any of the criteria listed above, you will need to complete the “English Language Test Exemption Request Form” available on the Join U of T Applicant Portal after submitting your application.
Keep in mind that all applicants, including those who must present proof of English facility, are required to present a senior level English course (equivalent to Ontario ENG4U/EAE4U) for admission to all undergraduate programs. The English course's grade will be considered in the admissions process and calculated as part of your admission average.
Do you quality for an exemption?
If the statements above do not apply to you, but feel that you should still be exempt from submitting proof of English facility, you may qualify for an exemption if you provide your full academic history on your application for admission and provide all relevant transcripts to U of T (after you have submitted your application), so that we can consider you for an exemption on the basis of these criteria.
You may also qualify for an exemption if you have studied in English (for at least four years) in any of the countries/territories listed on the Future Students website. Remember that your eligibility for an exemption will be determined after you have submitted your application for admission and relevant supporting documents; the countries/territories listed should be used for informational purposes only.
Acceptable Tests of English Facility
If you are required to present evidence of English language facility, you can satisfy the requirement by completing one of the tests/qualifications listed below with acceptable results. We will not accept your Grade 12 English results, your results in any other English course/tests, or letters of reference from your school or employer for this purpose.
For a full list of acceptable tests as well as detailed instructions, please visit: future.utoronto.ca/apply/english-language-requirements/
| Test: | Requirements: | Submitting Results: |
|---|---|---|
|
Cambridge Assessment English C1: Advanced or C2: Proficiency |
A minimum overall score of 180, with at least 170 in each component. For information visit: www.cambridgeenglish.org. | Use the "Send Your Result" function of the Candidate Results portal to send your results electronically to the University of Toronto. |
|
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL), including CAEL Online |
The minimum score required to meet our English facility requirement is an overall score of 70 and no part below 60. For information visit: www.cael.ca. | Official final results should be sent to us directly by the testing service. |
|
Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST) |
The minimum requirement is a total score of 4.5, and no part below 4. For information visit www.cantest.uottawa.ca. | Official final results should be sent to us directly by the testing service. |
|
Caribbean Examinations Council English courses |
The minimum requirement is a final grade of A (I) or B (II) in CSEC English. | Final results should be sent to us directly by CXC. |
|
Duolingo English Test |
The minimum requirement is an overall score of 120. Subscore results must be submitted. Results from tests completed before July 15, 2019 will not be accepted. For information visit: englishtest.duolingo.com. | To avoid processing delays, do not send your results until you have received your U of T applicant number. To send your results, log in to your Duolingo English Test account and use the “Send Results” function to forward your results to “University of Toronto – Undergraduate”. You will be prompted to add your U of T applicant number to your request. |
|
English Language Diagnosis and Assessment/Certificate of Proficiency in English (ELDA/COPE) |
The minimum requirement is a total score of 86, with 32 in Writing and 22 in each of Reading and Listening Discretionary Range: total score 80 or higher, with 32 in Writing and 22 in each of Reading and Listening Test results that fall into the discretionary range will be reviewed automatically. Applicants will be notified if their discretionary range score satisfies the English language requirement. As we cannot guarantee that these scores will be accepted, it is recommended that applicants arrange to take another test if the official results can be submitted to us by the appropriate document deadline. ELDA/COPE is currently available in Toronto only. For information visit: www.copetest.com. |
Results must be sent to us electronically by the testing service. |
|
GCSE/IGCSE/GCE/AICE English courses |
A minimum final grade of “B” (“6” in reformed qualifications) in GCSE/IGCSE/GCE Ordinary Level English, English Language, or English as a Second Language; OR a minimum final or predicted grade of “C” in GCE A Level/AS Level/AICE English or English Language | Final results should be sent to us directly by the appropriate examination authority. Predicted results should be sent by your school. |
|
International Baccalaureate (IB) English |
The minimum requirement is a score of at least 4 (predicted or final) in Higher or Standard Level English A: Literature or English A: Language and Literature. HL English B is not acceptable. | Final results should be sent to us directly by the International Baccalaureate Organization. You can make your request online at: www.ibo.org. Predicted results should be sent by your school. |
|
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module |
The minimum requirement is an overall band of 6.5, with no band below 6.0. For information visit www.ielts.org. Note: we do not accept the IELTS Indicator test |
We only accept scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test centre. An institutional code is not required. Contact your IELTS test centre directly to arrange for your scores to be sent electronically to our account via the IELTS Results Service. All test centres worldwide are able to transmit your scores to our system. You must provide the following information to your test centre when submitting:
|
|
Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology |
The minimum requirement is a three-year/Advanced Diploma or current enrolment in the final semester of a three-year/Advanced Diploma or Applied Degree program with overall standing of “B+”. A current, updated transcript is required. All three or four years of study must be completed in Ontario. | Official transcripts must be sent to us directly by the OUAC. |
|
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) |
The minimum scores required for the different TOEFL tests are: Internet-based Test (including Home Edition):
Test results that fall into the discretionary range will be reviewed automatically. Applicants will be notified if their discretionary range score satisfies the English language requirement. As we cannot guarantee that these scores will be accepted, it is recommended that applicants arrange to take another test if the official results can be submitted to us by the appropriate document deadline. Applicants must achieve the scores listed above on a single test date. TOEFL MyBest (super-scored) results will not be used. We do not accept TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP, or TOEFL ITP Plus For China for admission purposes. |
Results must be sent to us electronically from ETS – TOEFL. The institution code is 0982-00. For information visit: www.ets.org/toefl. |
|
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies “Academic English” course |
The minimum requirement is a grade of “B” at the 60/Advanced level. For information visit: english.learn.utoronto.ca. |
Upon successful completion of the Academic English Level 60 course, you must ask the English Language Program office to send the results electronically to Enrolment Services. |
|
University Studies |
The minimum requirement is one year of full-time study completed at a recognized university in a country where English is the dominant language. At least four full-year transferable courses completed with a grade of “C” in each are required. Courses in progress will also be considered. A current, updated transcript is required. | Official final transcripts should be sent to us directly by the university, or through the OUAC if you attended university in Ontario. |
ACE@UTM
The Academic Culture and English (ACE@UTM) program is designed for students who have been admitted to U of T Mississauga but require additional English language development. The successful completion of ACE@UTM is sometimes a condition of an offer of admission to the university – please refer to your original offer of admission if you are unsure.
