Language requirements

Student wearing university branded clothing while socializing with his fellow classmates

It’s important to speak and understand English at a level that will allow you to make the most of your classes, assignments, and study groups. Our language requirements are designed to ensure you the best possible education. If English is not your first language, you may need to provide your scores from an English language proficiency test.

Demonstrate Your English Skills

It’s important to speak and understand English at a level that will allow you to make the most of your classes, assignments, and study groups. Our language requirements are designed to ensure you the best possible education. If English is not your first language, you may need to provide your scores from an English language proficiency test.

Undergraduate Requirements

Graduation from an English language secondary school, or one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic: minimum score of 6.5 with no individual score below 6.0
  • IELTS Online Indicator Test: minimum score of 6.5 with no individual score below 6.0
  • Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: minimum score of 176 with no individual score below 169
  • TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 83 overall with no band score below 20
  • TOEFL iBT Home Edition: minimum score of 83 overall with no band score below 20
  • CAEL: minimum score of 60 with no individual score below 50
  • Pearson PTE: score of 58 or better
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): score of 115 or higher with no sub-score below 95
  • Completion of university preparatory English at a Languages Canada accredited school recognized by Saint Mary’s
  • Completion of 3 years in a Canadian, British or American-patterned secondary school where the language of instruction and examination is English

Graduate Requirements

If you have not attended an English language secondary school or do not have a previous degree completed totally in English, you may need to provide your scores from an English language proficiency test. Please see Graduate Studies Language Requirements for details.

English Language Support on Campus

To help you succeed at Saint Mary’s, we have excellent ESL services like the Writing Centre and Academic Communications on campus.