Toronto, Canada
OCAD University: English test requirements
One set of English test minimums covers all undergraduate programmes, and a separate, higher set covers all graduate programmes. Undergraduates just below the minimums can reach admission through the university's own English for Art & Design (EAD) pathway once they hold a conditional offer.
Checked on 2 Nov 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG 6.5
PG 7.0
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 84
PG 5.0 / 90
PTE Academic
UG 58
PG 66
Duolingo English Test
UG 110
PG 120
Undergraduate
Applies to applicants whose first language is not English. Results must be within 24 months of the intended start date. Exemptions are possible after four years of English-medium secondary school, two years of English-medium college or one year of English-medium university study (each within the last 24 months), after residence and study in English in a listed country, through a partner language pathway, or for Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada. Applicants with a conditional offer and scores in the EAD range can take EAD: Bridge to First Year (from IELTS 5.5, TOEFL 70 / 4.0, PTE 50, Duolingo 95-105) instead of retesting. Final deadline for proof of English: 31 July 2026. TOEFL institution code 0537.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | no part below 6.0 | AcceptedIELTS One-Skill Retake accepted; IELTS Indicator not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition) | 4.5 (tests on or after 21 Jan 2026) / 84 (tests before 21 Jan 2026) | From 21 Jan 2026: Reading 4.0, Listening 4.0, Speaking 4.5, Writing 4.0. Before 21 Jan 2026: Reading 20, Listening 19, Speaking 22, Writing 20 | AcceptedMyBest scores accepted; TOEFL Essentials, ITP and ITP Plus for China not accepted. |
| PTE Academic | 58 | at least 56 in Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing | AcceptedScores only accepted electronically through myPTE. |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 | at least 105 in Production | AcceptedApplicants with 110 overall but under 105 in Production must take the EAD: Expanded programme, with a reduced autumn course load. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 180 | at least 170 in each component | AcceptedB2 First not accepted. |
| Oxford ELLT | 7 | no sub-score band below 6 | Accepted |
| CAEL | 70 | no band below 60 | Accepted |
“OCAD University reserves the right to request an English Language Proficiency test from any applicant regardless of their academic background.”
Undergraduate English language proficiency
Graduate
One set for all graduate programmes. Required where the applicant's primary language is not English or previous education was in another language. A completed bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree taught in English also meets the requirement. Results must be within 24 months of the intended start date. TOEFL institution code 0537.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 | no part below 7.0 | AcceptedIELTS One-Skill Retake accepted; IELTS Indicator not accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition and Paper Edition) | 5.0 (tests on or after 21 Jan 2026) / 90 (tests before 21 Jan 2026) | From 21 Jan 2026: 4.5 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Before 21 Jan 2026: Reading 22, Listening 20, Speaking 22, Writing 22 | AcceptedMyBest scores accepted; TOEFL Essentials, ITP and ITP Plus for China not accepted. |
| PTE Academic | 66 | at least 66 in all sections | AcceptedScores only accepted electronically through myPTE. |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | no subscore minimum listed | Accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 185 | Reading 185, Listening 176, Speaking 185, Writing 185 | AcceptedB2 First not accepted. |
| Oxford ELLT | 8 | no sub-score band below 8 | Accepted |
| CAEL | 80 | no sub-score band below 80 | Accepted |
“Test results will be considered valid if completed within 24 months of the intended start date at OCAD U.”
Graduate application requirements
Other tests the university lists
- ELDA/COPE with ELDA/TOP: COPE 86 overall (Writing 32, Reading 22, Listening 22) and TOP 6 (undergraduate)
- OCAD U English for Art & Design: Bridge to First Year, on successful completion (undergraduate, conditional offer holders)
- Partner language pathways (undergraduate): Upper Maddison College and University of Toronto English Language Program; the page says the Hansa Language Centre programme is discontinued and ILAC has closed, so those are shown only for students who already completed them
- Completed English-taught bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree (graduate)
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS Indicator
- TOEFL Essentials
- TOEFL ITP and ITP Plus for China
- Cambridge B2 First
- PTE scores not sent through myPTE
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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