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English Language Requirements

Need to submit proof of English language proficiency?

Discover the tests you can take.

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English Language Requirements

You will be required to submit proof of English proficiency if:

  • your primary or first language is not English, and/or
  • if you have had less than four years of full-time secondary school or postsecondary study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language school system. 

Note:

  • Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada will not be required to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement.
  • You will also be considered as having met the English Proficiency requirement if you completed the International Baccalaureate diploma where English was the language of instruction. 

The University reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory proficiency in English, regardless of academic qualifications.

You will receive an email with detailed instructions (after you apply) if you are required to demonstrate English proficiency as part of your application. Test results must be less than two years old prior to your application.

Test Required Score
Cambridge English   C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. Minimum overall score of 176 with no band less than 169.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)   Minimum overall band score of 70 on Language Assessment. CAEL Online will also be accepted.
Duolingo English Test   Minimum overall score of 110. Individual subscores may be considered.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)   Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.
Pearson Test of English (PTE)   Minimum overall score of 60 with no score less than 60 in the individual components.
TOEFL   Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21. Computer-based: minimum score of 250. Paper-based: minimum score of 600. Test of Written English: with a score of 5. Institution code is 0892. Includes TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition.

Successful completion of the University of Guelph, Open Learning Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (Levels 9 and 10) is considered an acceptable form of proving your English proficiency. Visit the University of Guelph website   for more details.