Vancouver, Canada
University of British Columbia (Vancouver): English test requirements
Undergraduate applicants use one set of minimums for the Vancouver campus. Graduate minimums are set school-wide by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and individual programmes may require more.
Checked on 31 Oct 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 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 90
PG 4.5 / 90
PTE Academic
UG 65
PG 65
Duolingo English Test
UG 125
PG 125
Undergraduate
One set of minimums. Scores must be achieved in a single sitting and cannot be combined from several tests. For the 2027/2028 Winter Session, scores must be dated 1 January 2025 or later. Proof is due by 15 February.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | no part below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale) / 90 (0-120) | 1-6 scale: Reading 4.5, Listening 5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4. 0-120 scale: Reading 22, Listening 22, Writing 21, Speaking 21 | AcceptedUBC institution code 0965. |
| PTE Academic | 65 | Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking each 60 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 | Reading 115, Listening 115, Writing 120, Speaking 120 | AcceptedThe page uses these four subscore labels. |
| Cambridge English (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) | 180 | Accepted | |
| CAEL (including CAEL Online) | 70 | Accepted |
“Applicants for the 2027/2028 Winter Session must submit test scores from January 1, 2025 onwards.”
Undergraduate English language competency
Graduate (Vancouver)
School-wide minimums; individual programmes may set higher totals or component minimums. Tests must be taken within the last 24 months and the minimums met in a single sitting. Duolingo is listed for May and September 2027 admissions.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | at least 6.0 in each component | AcceptedIELTS Online accepted. |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests from 21 Jan 2026) / 90 (0-120, tests before 21 Jan 2026) | 1-6 scale: Listening 5, Reading 4.5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4. 0-120 scale: Reading 22, Listening 22, Writing 21, Speaking 21 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 65 | Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking each 60 | AcceptedAcademic only. PTE Home and PTE Online are not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 | Reading 115, Listening 115, Writing 120, Speaking 120 | AcceptedListed for May and September 2027 admissions. |
| Cambridge CAE / CPE | CAE grade B; CPE grade C | Accepted | |
| CAEL | 70 | 60 on the speaking sub-test | Accepted |
“Individual graduate programs may require higher English language proficiency scores”
Graduate English language test requirements (Vancouver)
Other tests the university lists
- UBC Certificate in English (CEL), score 600 (undergraduate)
- UBC English Language Institute English for Academic Purposes, 75% in each component at the 600 level (graduate)
- Oxford ELLT, overall 7 with no component below 6 (graduate; a temporary measure for applicants in Iran who cannot access other tests)
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS General Training
- IELTS Indicator
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- TOEFL ITP (graduate)
- TOEFL Essentials (graduate)
- TOEFL MyBest (graduate)
- PTE Home and PTE Online (graduate)
“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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