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English Language Requirements

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

The value of strong English skills

English is one of the two official languages of Canada, and the primary language of instruction at UBC. Strong English skills mean new students can settle quickly into their academic environment, and get to know their fellow students and faculty members who will be their colleagues during their time at UBC. Students with good English skills are far more likely to succeed; they experience far less stress and get greater enjoyment and fulfillment from their studies.

Applicants are advised to focus on learning how to speak, listen, read, and write in English, independent of studying for the TOEFL (or other tests), as this will best prepare them for communicating in all types of situations. Students with strong English skills are more likely to do well on the TOEFL.

Students from eligible countries planning to apply for a study permit via the Student Direct Stream (SDS) pathway are advised to carefully review the eligibility requirements. Currently, only the IELTS test is accepted for SDS applications.

Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of any of the tests. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.

Acceptable Tests

English Language Tests

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The minimum TOEFL score required for all applicants to the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is

  • 90 for the internet-based exam (with minimum component scores of 22 [reading, listening] and 21 [writing, speaking]) or
  • 55 each for reading, listening, and writing in the paper-based test, with 4.0 on the Test of Written English (TWE).

Some programs require a higher score. TOEFL scores must be issued to UBC directly from the Educational Testing Centre. Please ensure that you include the following on your TOEFL sheet:

  • use the University of British Columbia's institution code 0965
  • give the reason for taking TOEFL "to enter a college or university as a graduate student"

Important:

  • TOEFL MyBest composite scores are not accepted for applications to UBC-Vancouver.
  • TOEFL ibT Home is accepted for admission to UBC-Vancouver.
  • TOEFL ITP and TOEFL Essentials are not accepted for admission.
  • Minimum scores must be achieved in a single sitting of the test (i.e. scores from multiple test-taking instances may not be used to satisfy minimum component requirements.)

Score submission

TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. We accept electronic delivery directly from the test centre to UBC only. For all other tests, an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.

IELTS (International English Language Testing Service)

A minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the academic (NOT general) IELTS test.*

Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores, and may require minimum scores on individual components of the test. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.

Important:

  • IELTS Indicator is not accepted for Applications to UBC-Vancouver.

Score submission

UBC requires an official score to be sent to us electronically from the test centre.

On the IELTS application form you will be asked to specify institutions where you would like the results being sent to. To ensure UBC receives your results correctly, you have to use the following details on the application:

  • Name and address of college / institution / university: The University of British Columbia - Graduate School Admissions
  • Address: 170-6371 Crescent Road, Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2, Canada
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)

A minimum overall score of 70 is required with 60 on the speaking sub-test.

Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.

Score submission

UBC requires an official paper record of this test score.

 

UBC English Language Institute

English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Applicant must achieve a 75% in each component of the 600 level.

More information

PTE (Pearson Test of English - Academic)

A minimum overall score of 65 on the academic (NOT general) test is required with minimums of 60 reading, 60 writing, 60 listening, and 60 speaking.

Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.

Important:

  • PTE Home / Online are not accepted for application to UBC-Vancouver

Score submission

Please email graduate.apply@ubc.ca when you have a test score ready for download.

 

Alternative Tests

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)

A minimum overall MELAB final score of 85 (with 3 in the speaking test) is required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Alternative English Language Proficiency Test

CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): B

CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): C

Submission of Test Results

TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. We accept electronic delivery directly from the test centre to UBC only. For all other tests an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.

Conditional Admission Program

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies may extend a conditional offer of admission to a highly-qualified graduate applicant who does not quite meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement set by the graduate program to which the student has applied.

For more information, see Conditional Admission Program.

Conditional Admission Program Details

A conditional admission allows a student to obtain a study permit (if necessary) and begin their studies in the UBC English Language Institute (ELI) or an equivalent institution approved by the Provost. Upon successful completion of the prescribed terms of study in the ELI English for Academic Purposes Program (or pre-approved, equivalent alternative), the student will proceed directly into the graduate degree program. 

Normally, a student must achieve a 75% overall assessment at the 600 level of the UBC ELI English for Academic Purposes Program (or equivalent assessment level in another approved program) to meet the terms of the Conditional Admission Program. A student who completes an approved English Language training program, but does not achieve the required assessment level has the option of taking an approved English Language Proficiency examination (e.g. TOEFL). If the student achieves the minimum score required by the admitting graduate program, they may proceed directly into the graduate program.

To be eligible for the Conditional Admission Program, the applicant must:

  • Possess a “first-class average” (or established equivalent) in a degree deemed as an eligible basis for admission, OR have academic qualifications that would have ranked them in the top 33% of students admitted to the graduate program to which they are applying, for the year prior to the date of their application.
  • Have English language proficiency, demonstrated via an accepted test, that can reasonably be expected to be brought up to the standard required by the graduate program to which the student has applied by completing ELI (or accepted equivalent) training in no more than one year.
  • Be recommended for the Conditional Admission Program by a UBC graduate program.

In recommending conditional admission, graduate programs guarantee a student admission at the date specified in the admission letter, assuming the student’s successful completion of the terms of the ELI program (or approved equivalent). Students admitted via the Conditional Admission Program are not allowed to make academic progress toward their graduate degrees before they successfully complete the English language training program and are admitted without condition to the graduate program.

Note to graduate programs: Students cannot be admitted to the Conditional Admission Program through eVision. They must be admitted through the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies via a manual letter. Please contact G+PS for information.

UBC Calendar: http://www.calendar.ubc.ca/vancouver/index.cfm?tree=12,204,340,182

Financial Awards

This is a list of selected awards that you may be able to apply / be considered for if you meet the eligibility criteria. Please review the database of financial awards for other award opportunities.

 
 

Read tips on applying, reference letters, statement of interest, reaching out to prospective supervisors, interviews and more in our Application Guide!

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