# English Language Requirements

**Source**: https://future.utoronto.ca/english-language-requirements

English is the language of instruction and examination at U of T, and success in our degree programs requires a high level of English language proficiency.

[See accepted tests](https://future.utoronto.ca/english-language-requirements#anchor-tests)

## Who needs to provide proof of English proficiency?

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 for admission consideration, unless you qualify for an exemption.

### Exemptions from our English language requirement

You may qualify for an exemption from the English facility requirement if one of the following applies to you:

- You have completed/are completing four or more years of full-time study in a recognized Canadian school (in Canada) that teaches in English
- You have completed/are completing four or more years of full-time study in [an English language school located in a country where the dominant language is English](https://future.utoronto.ca/english-language-requirements#anchor-exemption-countries)
- Your first language is French and you have completed four or more years of full-time study at a Canadian school

If you meet any of the exemption criteria, you can request an English language test exemption after you apply. Once you receive your application acknowledgement email, you'll be able to access the "English Language Test Exemption Request Form" on the [Join U of T applicant portal.](https://join.utoronto.ca/)

## English course requirement for admission

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 result will be considered in the admissions process and calculated as part of an applicant’s admission average.

## Accepted English proficiency tests or qualifications

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.

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- ### Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
- ### Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) including CAEL Online
- ### Caribbean Examinations Council English courses
- ### Duolingo English Test
- ### English Language Diagnosis and Assessment/Certificate of Proficiency in English (ELDA/COPE)
- ### GCSE/IGCSE/GCE/AICE English
- ### International Baccalaureate (IB) English
- ### IELTS Academic (including IELTS Online)
- ### Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology
- ### Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
- ### TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition)
- ### University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies “Academic English” course
- ### University Studies

### Don't meet our English language requirement?

If you’re academically qualified but don't yet meet our English language requirement, our English language transition programs can help. Offered on all three campuses and ranging from six weeks to eight months, these programs build your English skills and prepare you for university studies.

[Browse our English language transition programs](https://future.utoronto.ca/english-language-transition-programs)

## Submitting your results

Your results need to be sent to us as soon as possible and received no later than your deadline for submitting supporting documentation—[find the appropriate deadline in Important Application Dates](https://future.utoronto.ca/deadlines) and on your applicant portal. You will not be penalized for an unacceptable result, so we encourage you to send all test results as they become available.

We accept only official test scores sent directly to University Admissions & Outreach by the testing agency.

Be sure that you register for a test using the same first name, surname (last/family name) and date of birth as on your application for admission. We cannot match your results to your application if this information differs.

For verification purposes, the university reserves the right to share English facility test results sent in support of your application for admission with other English facility test provider(s) who have submitted results to University Admissions & Outreach on your behalf. We also reserve the right to require recent, government-issued photo identification for verification purposes.

## Countries that may qualify for exemption

You may qualify for an exemption if you have studied in English (for at least four years) in any of the following countries/territories:

- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Cameroon
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Falkland Islands

- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guam
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Malta

- Mauritius
- Montserrat
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
- St. Helena
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Scotland
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone

- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda
- United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Wales)
- United States of America
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe

**Please note that this list is for information only.** Your eligibility for an exemption will be determined after you have submitted your application for admission and relevant supporting documents like your transcripts.

## Frequently asked questions

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- ### Can I submit my Grade 12 English course instead of a language test?
- ### Can I send my test scores myself?
- ### What happens if I don't meet the minimum test scores?
- ### Do I need to meet the English requirement if I'm a transfer student?