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English language proficiency

We are aware that some students are experiencing issues with taking the TOEFL and IELTS tests due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, results from the Duolingo English Test (DET) are currently accepted. Please refer to this page for updates on the School of Graduate Studies' response to the pandemic.

Language proficiency test exemptions

English is the main language of instruction at Concordia University. Applicants who meet one of the following three conditions will be exempted from the English language proficiency test requirement:

  • Completion of a minimum of three full years of study at the undergraduate or graduate level at an accredited university in one of the following countries;
  • Completion of a Quebec Diploma of Collegial Studies (DEC) and a university degree at a Quebec university (proof of DEC is required);
  • For John Molson School of Business candidates applying to the professional programs, a minimum of five years’ full-time work experience in an English milieu, and a successful personal interview.

Applicants, regardless of citizenship, who do not meet one of the three conditions outlined above and whose primary language is not English, will be required to provide proof of English proficiency scores prior to their admission to Concordia University.

Test results that are more than two years old at the time of application will not be accepted.

In all cases, the University reserves the right to require an English language proficiency test if it is deemed necessary.

Minimum English proficiency scores for graduate admission by Faculty

IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Candidates must take the "Academic Module." The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the IELTS test. For more information on the IELTS test, you may also visit ielts.org.

IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator

Admission condition

6.5 with at least a score of 6.5 in each of the four components

Some programs require a higher minimum score. See below.

No English language courses required.

Overall score of 6.5 and no part under 6.0

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 6.0: No Admission
Program-specific IELTS requirements
IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator
Program
Minimum score of 7.0 with 7.0 in writing and at least 6.5 in each of the other three components Applied Linguistics (MA)
Minimum score of 6.5 with no component under 6.5 Chemistry (PhD, MSc)
7.0 score with no component under 6.5 Child Studies (MA)
Minimum overall score of 7.5 Communication Studies (PhD, MA, Diploma)
7.0 score with no component under 6.5 Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies (PhD, MEnv, MSc, Diploma)
7.0 score with no component under 7.0 Human Systems Intervention (MA)
Minimum overall score of 7.0 Youth Work (Diploma)

CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment

The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the CAEL test. For more information on the CAEL test, you may also visit cael.ca.

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAEL is 70

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) & Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE):

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAE is: 180

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CPE is: 180

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

To ensure your TOEFL results are forwarded directly to Concordia University, you must indicate 0956.00 as the "Institution Code" when you write the test. For more information on the test or to register, visit toefl.org.

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition    

Admission condition

90 or higher and no part under 20 in each of the four components.

Some programs require a higher minimum score. See below.

No English language courses required.

Between 80-89 or any part under 20 Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.
Scores below 80: No Admission
Program-specific TOEFL requirements

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition    

Program

Minimum score of 90 with 27 in writing and at least 20 in each of the other three components

Applied Linguistics (MA)

Minimum score of 90 with no component under 20

Chemistry (PhD, MSc)

Minimum score of 90 with 23 in writing and at least 20 in each of the three other components Child Studies (MA)
Minimum overall score of 106 Communication Studies (PhD, MA, Diploma)
Minimum score of 95 with no component under 20 Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies (PhD, MEnv, MSc, Diploma)
Reading 20, Listening 20, Speaking 26, Writing 24 Human Systems Intervention (MA)
Minimum overall score of 95 Youth Work (Diploma)

DET – Duolingo English Test

For more information on the DET test, you may also visit englishtest.duolingo.com

Duolingo Score (DET)

Admission condition

Score above 120

Some programs require a higher minimum score. See below.

No English language courses required.

  Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.
Score below 120: No Admission
Program-specific DET requirements
DET Score Program
Score above 125 Applied Linguistics (MA)
120 overall and no parts under 110 Biotechnology (Diploma)
Score above 125 Chemistry (PhD, MSc)
Score above 125 Child Studies (MA)
Score above 125 Communication Studies (PhD, MA, Diploma)
120 overall and no parts under 110 Economics (PhD, MA, Diploma)
Score above 125 and no parts under 110 Geography, Urban and Environmental Studies (PhD, MEnv, MSc, Diploma)
Score above 125 Human Systems Intervention (MA)
Score above 125 Youth Work (Diploma)

PTE – Pearson Test of English

For more information on the test, or to register: pearsonpte.com.

PEARSON

Admission condition

61 or higher and no part under 53

No English language courses required.

Between 52 and 60 or any part under 53

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 52: No Admission

IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Candidates must take the "Academic Module." The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the IELTS test. For more information on the IELTS test, you may also visit ielts.org.

IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator

Admission condition

6.5 with at least a score of 6.5 in each of the four components

No English language courses required.

Overall score of 6.5 and no part under 6.0

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 6.0: No Admission
Program-specific IELTS requirements
IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator
Program
Minimum overall score of 7.0 and no part under 6.5 Art History (MA)
Minimum overall score of 7.5 and no part under 6.5
Art History (PhD)

CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment

The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the CAEL test. For more information on the CAEL test, you may also visit cael.ca.

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAEL is 70

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) & Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE):

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAE is: 180

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CPE is: 180

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

To ensure your TOEFL results are forwarded directly to Concordia University, you must indicate 0956.00 as the "Institution Code" when you write the test. For more information on the test or to register, visit toefl.org.

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition    

Admission condition

90 or higher and no part under 20 in each of the four components

No English language courses required.

Between 80-89 or any part under 20

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 80: No Admission
Program-specific TOEFL requirements

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition    

Program

Minimum overall score of 95 and no part under 20 in each of the four components
Art History (MA)
Minimum overall score of 106 and no part under 20 in each of the four components

Art History (PhD)

DET – Duolingo English Test

For more information on the DET test, you may also visit englishtest.duolingo.com

Duolingo Score (DET)

Admission condition

Score above 120

Some programs require a higher minimum score. See below.

No English language courses required.

  Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.
Score below 120: No Admission
Program-specific DET requirements
DET Score Program
Score above 125 Art History (PhD)
Score above 125 Art History (MA)

PTE – Pearson Test of English

For more information on the test, or to register: pearsonpte.com.

PEARSON

Admission condition

61 or higher and no part under 53

No English language courses required.

Between 52 and 60 or any part under 53

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 52: No Admission

IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Candidates must take the "Academic Module." The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the IELTS test. For more information on the IELTS test, you may also visit ielts.org.

IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator

Admission condition

Overall score band of 6.5 No English language courses required.

Overall score of 6.0 and no part under 5.5

Required English Courses:
ENCS 5721 & 6721
Overall scores below 6.0: No Admission
Program-specific IELTS requirements

IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator

Program

Minimum 6.5 in all bands
Aerospace MEng

CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment

The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the CAEL test. For more information on the CAEL test, you may also visit cael.ca.

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAEL is 70

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) & Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE):

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAE is: 180

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CPE is: 180

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

To ensure your TOEFL results are forwarded directly to Concordia University, you must indicate 0956.00 as the "Institution Code" when you write the test. For more information on the test or to register, visit toefl.org.

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition  

Admission condition

85 with at least a score of 20 in each of the four components No English language courses required.

Between 75-84 or any part under 20

Required English Courses:
Scores between 80-84: ENCS 6721
Scores between 75-79: ENCS 5721 & ENCS 6721
Overall scores below 75: No Admission
Program-specific TOEFL requirements

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition      

Program

Minimum overall score of 88 with no component score lower than 22   Aerospace MEng

DET – Duolingo English Test

For more information on the DET test, you may also visit englishtest.duolingo.com

Duolingo Score (DET)

Admission condition

Score above 115

No English language courses required.

Score between 110 - 115 Required English courses:
ENCS 5721 and ENCS 6721
Score below 110: No Admission

PTE – Pearson Test of English

For more information on the test, or to register: pearsonpte.com.

PEARSON

Admission condition

57 or higher and no part under 53 No English language courses required.

Scores between 50-56 and no part  under 53

Required English courses:

Scores between 52-56ENCS 6721
Scores between 50-51ENCS 5721 & 6721

Overall scores below 50: No Admission

IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Candidates must take the "Academic Module." The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the IELTS test. For more information on the IELTS test, you may also visit ielts.org.

IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator

Admission condition

Overall score of 7.0 with no part below 6.5

No English language courses required.

Overall score below 7.0: No Admission

CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment

The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the CAEL test. For more information on the CAEL test, you may also visit cael.ca.

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAEL is 70

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) & Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE):

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAE is: 180

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CPE is: 180

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

To ensure your TOEFL results are forwarded directly to Concordia University, you must indicate 0956.00 as the "Institution Code" when you write the test. For more information on the test or to register, visit toefl.org.

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition

Admission condition

95 or higher and no part under 20 in each of the four components

No English language courses required.

Scores below 95: No Admission

DET – Duolingo English Test

For more information on the DET test, you may also visit englishtest.duolingo.com

Duolingo Score (DET)

Admission condition

Minimum score of 120

 

 

Upon final review of the candidate’s file and interview process (when applicable), the admissions committee reserves the right to require candidates to take additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test.

Score below 120: No Admission

PTE – Pearson Test of English

For more information on the test, or to register: pearsonpte.com

PEARSON

Admission condition

61 or higher and no part under 53

No English language courses required.

Between 52 and 60 or any part under 53

Upon final review of the candidate’s file and interview process (when applicable), the admissions committee reserves the right to require candidates to take additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test.

Scores below 52: No Admission

IELTS – International English Language Testing System

Candidates must take the "Academic Module." The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the IELTS test. For more information on the IELTS test, you may also visit ielts.org.

IELTS Score (iBT) or
IELTS Indicator

Admission condition

6.5 with at least a score of 6.5 in each of the four components

No English language courses required.

Overall score of 6.5 and no part under 6.0

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 6.0: No Admission

CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment

The Concordia University Language Test Centre offers the CAEL test. For more information on the CAEL test, you may also visit cael.ca.

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAEL is 70

Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) & Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE):

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CAE is: 180

  • The minimum acceptable score for the CPE is: 180

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

To ensure your TOEFL results are forwarded directly to Concordia University, you must indicate 0956.00 as the "Institution Code" when you write the test. For more information on the test or to register, visit toefl.org.

TOEFL iBT or
TOEFL iBT Special home edition

Admission condition

90 or higher and no part under 20 in each of the four components

No English language courses required.

Between 80-89 or any part under 20

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 80: No Admission

DET – Duolingo English Test

For more information on the DET test, you may also visit englishtest.duolingo.com

Duolingo Score (DET)

Admission condition

Minimum score of 120

 

  Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.
Score below 120: No Admission

PTE – Pearson Test of English

For more information on the test, or to register: pearsonpte.com.

PEARSON

Admission condition

61 or higher and no part under 53

No English language courses required.

Between 52 and 60 or any part under 53

Some programs offer admission with additional English language courses as determined by a Concordia University placement test. Please contact the Department to confirm your program’s requirements.

Scores below 52: No Admission

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