Programs at Keele Campus are offered in English, while programs at our Glendon Campus are offered in a bilingual environment (English and French). To gain admission, you must demonstrate language proficiency in your program's language of instruction by presenting a minimum proficiency score on an accepted language test.
For English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate programs, refer to the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.
Note: These are general guidelines only. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. York University reserves the right to require a successfully completed language proficiency test.
You are not required to submit proof of English proficiency (language test scores) if you have successfully completed, or are in the process of successfully completing, one of the following:
- Four full years of study in English (or French) at an accredited high school in Canada or where English is the official primary language of the country, or
- Four full years of study at the high-school level where English is the primary language of instruction, or
- One full year of study in an accredited university degree program in English in a country where English is a primary language or where English is the official language of the institution, or
- Two full years of study in English, in an accredited college diploma or applied degree program in a country where English is a primary language or where English is the official language of the institution.
Note: Time spent in ESL courses will not be counted towards meeting these requirements. Language requirements will not be waived based on letters written by applicants, SAT/ACT scores or as a result of completing senior-level high-school English course(s).
International Baccalaureate (IB): Students who have completed, or in the process of completing the IB diploma in English or French may meet our language requirements. Students must show achievement of the IB diploma once it has been granted.
GCE/GCSE/IGCSE: A minimum final grade of “B” 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.
English Language Proficiency: Exemption List
If you are not from one of the countries listed below, you are required to write an English language proficiency test:
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Proof of Language Proficiency: Accepted Language Tests and Scores
For admission to most programs at York University, applicants required to submit proof of language proficiency, can choose from the York University approved English or French language tests listed below:
Please note there are some programs that require a higher score. See Exemptions below:
| Acceptable English Language Tests | Minimum Score Required | |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language York's TOEFL code is 0894 |
iBT: 88 | |
| IELTS* International English Language Testing Service (Academic Module) |
6.5 | |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 60 | |
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) | 60 | |
| Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAE, CPE) | C1 Advanced | |
| Duolingo | 115 (Winter 2023) 120 (effective Summer 2023) |
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*The IELTS Academic test is required for admission to York University. IELTS General will not be accepted for language proficiency requirements. |
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Please note that English Proficiency tests are valid for a period of two years.
For a list of approved French Language Tests, please visit the Glendon Campus website.
Additional Program-Specific Language Tests and Scores
| Faculty | TOEFL York's TOEFL code is 0894 |
IELTS (Academic Module) |
Pearson PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education: Consecutive Education | See the Faculty of Education website for English language requirements. | |||
| Glendon (see Glendon website for French language tests) | iBT: 88 or French Language Requirements | 6.5 or French Language Requirements | 60 or French Language Requirements | 115 (Winter 2023) 120 (Effective Summer 2023) |
| Health: Nursing | iBT: 94 | 7.0 | 67 | 120 (Winter 2023) 130 (Effective Summer 2023) |
| Lassonde School of Engineering: Bachelor of Engineering programs | iBT: 88 (no score below 20 in each section) |
6.5 (no score below 6.0 in each section) |
60 | 115 (Winter 2023) 120 (Effective Summer 2023) |
| Schulich School of Business | iBT: 94 | 7.0 | 67 | 120 (Winter 2023) 130 (Effective Summer 2023) |
Pathway to Admission: Applicants who need to improve English proficiency
Students with unsuccessful English language test results can boost their proficiency and still obtain admission to York by completing a program at the York University English Language Institute (YUELI). YUELI provides the highest quality English language instruction, serving over 2,000 students from more than 50 different countries every year. YUELI's programs include university academic preparation programs for undergraduate and graduate students, summer language institutes and customized programs. Visit YUELI for a full listing of programs and services.
Conditional admission pending English language test results
If you have yet to complete a language proficiency test, we will still assess you for admission based on your academic record and, if eligible, will offer admission while we wait for your language tests results. This conditional admission will reserve your space in your York program. You will be able to enrol in courses when we receive an acceptable language test result or the successful completion of a program offered by the York University English Language Institute (YUELI).
To check if your language test results have been received by York University, please visit your MyFile account.
Uploading English proficiency results to MyFile is not permitted. You must request your test centre to send your IELTS or TOEFL results electronically to York University using our institution number: 0894. Please allow up to three weeks processing time.
To submit a Canadian Academic English Assessment (CAEL) score, a Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAE, CPE) score, or a Duolingo score you must log in to your affiliated account and select York University as a recipient institution.
To submit a Pearson PTE Academic score, please e-mail your Pearson Score Report Code (SRC) to York University at study@yorku.ca. Please use subject line: “PTE Score Report” and include your York reference number.
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