English Proficiency Requirements for Undergraduate Programs
You will be required to present evidence of English Proficiency if:
- your primary or first language is not English, and
- you have had less than four years of full-time secondary school or post-secondary study, demonstrating satisfactory academic progress, in an English-language school system.
The University reserves the right to deny admission to you if you do not demonstrate satisfactory facility in English, regardless of academic qualifications.
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.
Acceptable English Proficiency Tests
International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic)
- Competence Level, Paper and Computer-based: Minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
- Competence Level, Paper and Computer-based: Minimum overall band score of 70.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- Competence Level: Internet-based: minimum total score of 89 with no individual scaled score less than 21.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 60 and no score less than 60 for any individual component.
Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (ELCP)
- Competence Level: Successful completion of the University of Guelph, Open Learning Advanced Level of the English Language Certificate Program (Levels 9 and 10).
Cambridge English: C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 176 with no band less than 169.
- Competence Level: Minimum overall score of 110. Individual subscores may be considered.
The University of Guelph institution code is 0892.
Admission Pathways
Begin your University of Guelph degree while you study English. Learn more about the Integrated Admission Pathway (IAP).
If your English proficiency and/or grades do not meet admission requirements, you may wish to be considered for the Guaranteed Admission Pathway (GAP).