Nanaimo, Canada
Vancouver Island University: English test requirements
The international admissions page gives one table for undergraduate academic and vocational programmes and a separate table for graduate programmes; the test minimums in the two are the same. Applicants with a diploma or degree from a listed English-speaking country are exempt.
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 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 88
PG 4.5 / 88
PTE Academic
UG 60
PG 60
Duolingo English Test
UG 115
PG 115
Undergraduate
Covers undergraduate academic and vocational programmes. Results must be no older than two years. Other routes include BC English Studies 12 at C, IB English A1/A2 grade 3, AP English grade 2, GCSE/O-level English at C or 4, VIU English Language Centre UP5, ILAC Pathway 3.3 and completed English-medium post-secondary study in an approved country. Applicants who meet academic but not English requirements may be offered conditional admission pending UP5. The page warns that IRCC may still ask for an in-person test for the study permit.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | no band below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 4.5 (tests taken after 21 Jan 2026) / 88 (before 21 Jan 2026) | after 21 Jan 2026: no section below 4.0. Before 21 Jan 2026: no section below 20 | Accepted |
| Pearson PTE Academic (including PTE Online) | 60 | no section below 60 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 | no band less than 105 | Accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 176 | no component minimum stated | Accepted |
| CAEL / CAEL Online | 60 | no component minimum stated | Accepted |
Graduate
Graduate applicants also need at least a B average in the final two years of a bachelor's degree. Results must be no older than two years. VIU English Language Centre UP5 and ILAC Pathway 3.3 are also accepted. The page says GMAT and GRE scores are not required, and that other requirements are on each programme page.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | no band below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 4.5 (tests taken after 21 Jan 2026) / 88 (before 21 Jan 2026) | after 21 Jan 2026: no section below 4.0. Before 21 Jan 2026: no section below 20 | AcceptedThe graduate table lists the Home Edition at 88 (no band below 20) only. |
| Pearson PTE Academic (including PTE Online) | 60 | no section below 60 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 | no band less than 105 | Accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 176 | no component minimum stated | Accepted |
| CAEL / CAEL Online | 60 | no component minimum stated | Accepted |
“Meet one of the following VIU English language requirements (to be valid test result must be no older than 2 years):”
International admissions: application instructions and English language requirements
Other tests the university lists
- VIU English Language Centre University Preparation Level 5 (UP5)
- ILAC Pathway Program: Pathway 3.3
- BC English Studies 12 at C (undergraduate)
- IB English A1/A2 HL/SL grade 3, AP English grade 2, GCSE/O-level English C or 4 (undergraduate)
“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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