Language Requirements

If you apply to an undergraduate program, you may meet the language requirements if you have successfully completed – or are in the process of successfully completing – 1 of the following:

  • 4 full years of study in English (or French) at an accredited high school in Canada or where English is the official primary language of the country, or
  • 4 full years of study at the high-school level where English is the primary language of instruction, or
  • 1 full year of study in an accredited university degree program in English in a country where English is a primary language or where English is the official language of the institution, or
  • 2 full years of study in English, in an accredited college diploma or applied degree program in a country where English is a primary language or where English is the official language of the institution or
  • successful completion of Academic Program Level 9, Destination York, or the YUBridge Program.

York reserves the right to request language proficiency test scores. All programs require 4U English (ENG4U).

Note: Time spent in ESL courses will not be counted towards meeting these requirements. Language requirements will not be waived based on letters written by applicants, SAT/ACT scores or as a result of completing senior-level high-school English course(s).

If you have a conditional offer of admission to York University in any undergraduate degree program with an English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement, you may choose to fulfill your ELP by completing an eligible pathway program offered by the York University English Language Institute before you begin your studies. Eligibility is determined by your current proficiency level, program of study and/or start date.  

For full details, visit the Undergraduate Language Proficiency website.

Test Score
Minimum TOEFL Score

Most programs: 88 iBT

Exceptions:

Lassonde School of Engineering (BEng programs): 88 with no score below 20 in each section

Nursing: 94 iBT

Schulich School of Business: 94 iBT

Applicants to the TESOL certificate offered by Liberal Arts & Professional Studies: 102 iBT

Minimum IELTS Score

Most programs: 6.5

Exceptions:

Lassonde School of Engineering (BEng programs): 6.5 with no component below a 6.0

Nursing: 7.0

Schulich School of Business: 7.0

Applicants to the TESOL certificate offered by Liberal Arts & Professional Studies: 7.0 (no score below 7.0 in each section)

Minimum CAEL Score Visit https://futurestudents.yorku.ca/requirements/language-tests for the most up-to-date language score requirements.
PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Most programs: 60

Exceptions:

Nursing: 67

Schulich School of Business: 67

Other Test Scores For full details, visit the Undergraduate Language Proficiency websitehttps://futurestudents.yorku.ca/requirements/language-tests.