Waterloo, Canada
University of Waterloo: English test requirements
Undergraduate applicants face one chart with subscore minimums, and Duolingo results must include subscores. For graduate study the official page names the accepted tests but not the scores, so check each programme page.
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 Set by course
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 90
PG Set by course
PTE Academic
UG 63
PG Set by course
Duolingo English Test
UG 120
PG Not on the list
Undergraduate
One chart for all programmes; the page lists no separate English minimums by programme, though most programmes require Grade 12 English as an admission requirement. Duolingo results without subscores are not accepted. TOEFL institution code 0996. Test results taken before 1 May 2025 do not count.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5, Reading 6.0, Listening 6.0 | AcceptedOne Skill Retake results accepted. The page also says an overall 7.0 with 6.0 or better in every component is acceptable. |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home and Paper Edition) | 4.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests from 21 Jan 2026) / 90 (0-120, tests before 21 Jan 2026) | 1-6 scale: Writing 5, Speaking 5. 0-120 scale: Writing 25, Speaking 25 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic (including Online) | 63 | Writing 65, Speaking 65 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | Literacy 125, Production 125 | AcceptedApplies to tests completed after 1 July 2024. Subscores required. |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 180 | 176 in Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening | Accepted |
| CAEL | – | Not on the listCAEL does not appear on the undergraduate chart, and the page says tests not on the chart are not accepted. |
“Tests that do not appear on this chart are not accepted for admission consideration.”
Undergraduate English language requirements
Graduate
The official uwaterloo.ca graduate page names the accepted tests but gives no scores; it sends applicants to the programme pages for each programme's requirement. Scores must be met in a single test, tests are valid for two years from the test date, and applicants slightly below the required score may be offered conditional admission. All versions of the listed tests are accepted, including at-home options.
The scores for this level are set course by course. The tests below are the ones the university lists; check the exact scores on your course page (course finder).
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | – | AcceptedIELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted. | |
| TOEFL iBT | – | AcceptedTOEFL MyBest scores are not accepted. Institution code 0996, department code 01. | |
| PTE Academic | – | Accepted | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot among the accepted tests named on the graduate page. | |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | – | Accepted | |
| CAEL | – | Accepted |
“ELP scores are valid for two years from the test date.”
Graduate admission and English language proficiency requirements
Other tests the university lists
- English for Academic Success (EFAS) from the Waterloo English Language Institute: 75% overall in level 400 with at least 70% in EFAS 420, 440 and 460 for undergraduate
- EFAS is also listed as an accepted graduate test; the graduate page gives no level or score
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest scores
- TOEFL Essentials (undergraduate)
- IELTS One Skill Retake (graduate)
- Duolingo results without subscores (undergraduate)
- Emailed, faxed or student-copy scores (undergraduate)
- Letters from a university stating English was the medium of instruction (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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