English-Language Proficiency

As English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Toronto, applicants require an adequate level of proficiency in English.

If your first language is not English, you will be asked to meet English-Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements if:

• your admitting degree was earned at a university where the language of instruction and examination is not uniformly English, or 

• you earned your admitting degree in a program split between two institutions, where one of the institution’s language of instruction and examination is not uniformly English, even if the degree is awarded by an English-language institution. 

If the language of instruction and examination of the institution where you earned your admitting degree was uniformly English, we may, nonetheless, in cases of doubt, require a letter confirming this, and this letter must be provided directly to the department by the applicant’s home institution.

Canadian citizens who studied at a Canadian university where the language of instruction is French are exempt from these requirements.

Note: Non-university education programs such as community college, continuing education studies, etc. do not normally qualify to exempt an applicant from ELP requirements.

Acceptable tests and minimum scores 

Accepted tests and minimum scores are outlined by the School of Graduate Studies. 

Accepted English language test scores are valid for 24 months from the test date. Scores should be valid at the time of application for admission to graduate studies.