Do I meet the language requirements?

All courses at the University of Ottawa are given in either English or French, or in both languages. To gain admission, you must therefore demonstrate proficiency in one or the other of these languages.

I am applying for admission to a program offered in French:

If you would like to study in French and it’s not your first language, you will have to submit your official score for one of the following:

Test or Certificate	Minimum Requirement
DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	B2
TEF (Test d’évaluation du français)	B2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (541 à 698 points; niveau 4)
Certification from l’Alliance française	Diplôme de langue (DL)
DFP (Diplômes de français professionnel)	DFP affaires B2 DFP secrétariat B2 DFP médical B2 DFP juridique B2
Certificat pratique de langue française

I am applying for admission to a program offered in English:

If you wish to gain admission to a program offered in English and have not completed at least three years of full-time studies in an institution where the language of instruction is strictly English AND in a country where English is an official language, you must demonstrate your language proficiency by providing your official score in a recognized language test. Please consult the following list of countries to know if you need to submit a test.

What score must I obtain in recognized ESL proficiency tests?

Before your application can be processed for admission to a program offered in English, you must demonstrate your language proficiency by providing your official score in one of the following recognized language tests:

Test	Scores that require you to complete intensive ESL courses before beginning your program of studies		Scores that allow you to begin your program of study immediately
Test	Overall Score	Required score in written English section	Overall Score	Required score in Written English section
TOEFL uOttawa Institutional Code: 0993	Paper-based: 550	4	Paper-based: 580	4.5
TOEFL uOttawa Institutional Code: 0993	Internet-based: 61	21-23	Internet-based: 92	24
University of Ottawa CanTEST	Averaged listening & reading: 3.5	2.5	Avg listening & reading: 4.5	4
IELTS	4.0-4.5	4.0	7	6.5
EPT (MELAB)	70	65	90	85
CAEL	40	30	70	60
Pearson Test of English (PTE)	40-47	53-57	65	58

NOTE: Scores indicated above are applicable to all faculties.

IMPORTANT: Even with this proof of proficiency, the University of Ottawa reserves the right to require that you take language courses if your knowledge of one of the official languages is considered insufficient.

All tests must be taken within two years of the date at which you apply for admission to the University of Ottawa.

Can I be exempted from providing an official score in a recognized English proficiency test?

You may be considered for an exemption if you satisfy, or are in the process of satisfying, one of the following:

successful completion of at least 18 Ontario secondary school courses (excluding ESL and technical courses) or the equivalent in other Canadian provinces;
successful completion of the English A1 course in an International Baccalaureate program, with a minimum grade of “4”;
successful completion of an “A” or “AS” Level English (non-ESL) course, with a minimum grade of “B”;
successful completion of an Advanced Placement course in English Language & Composition or Literature & Composition, with a minimum grade of “4”;
a score of at least “500” on the SAT writing test (or SAT w).

Should you be in the process of satisfying one of the above conditions, interim marks will be required.

If you believe that you should be exempted from providing an official score in a recognized English proficiency test, based on one of the conditions listed above, you must write to the Admissions Office to request such an exemption.

The University of Ottawa reserves the right to refuse any exemption.

ESL Bridging Program