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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 52-56: ENCS 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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 | |