Language requirements

French language requirements if applying to a program offered in French

English language requirements if applying to a program offered in English

French-language programs

If you’re applying to a French-language program, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient French proficiency to follow a postsecondary academic program.

You must submit official results from one of our accepted French-language tests unless you meet all of the following conditions:

You have completed at least three years of full-time study.
Your studies were completed in a country where French is an official language.
You studied at an institution where French is the only language of instruction, aside from language courses.

Your three years of study can include:

Postsecondary studies completed in French; or
Your last three years of high school completed in French (Grades 10, 11 and 12).

Remember: Language requirements are not based on citizenship. They are based on your country of study and the language of instruction at your institution.

Language tests

You must achieve the scores below for all programs offered in a direct-entry faculty. Even if you achieve the required score, we reserve the right to have you take language courses if we feel that your knowledge of one of our two official languages is not satisfactory. All language proficiency tests must be completed less than two years before the beginning of the term indicated on your application for admission to the University of Ottawa.

You must submit your French test results through the uOdoc application in your uOzone account.

Test	Required score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1 or C2
DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française)	B2 (A score of 16/25 is required in Production écrite)
TCF (Test de connaissance du français) *The three mandatory sections are required. Only the TCF Tout Public and the TCF DAP are accepted for admissions purposes.	B2*
TEF – Autres usage, avec 5 épreuves	B2

English-language programs

If you’re applying to an English-language program, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient English proficiency to follow a postsecondary academic program.

You must submit official results from one of our accepted English-language tests unless you meet all of the following conditions:

You have completed at least three years of full-time study.
Your studies were completed in a country where English is an official language.
You studied at an institution where English is the only language of instruction, aside from language courses.

Your three years of study can include:

Postsecondary studies completed in English; or
Your last three years of high school completed in English (Grades 10, 11 and 12).

Remember: Language requirements are not based on citizenship. They are based on your country of study and the language of instruction at your institution.

If you are required to take a language test, your official results must be sent directly to us online by the test centre.

We also offer language test exemptions. See below.

We might offer you an exemption if you meet, or are in the process of meeting, one of the following conditions:

achieving an interim or final grade of 80% or higher in an English 4U course while working towards your Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board or the Ottawa Catholic School Board
successfully completing one year at a Canadian university as a full-time student (minimum of 10 courses excluding ESL and technical courses)
successfully completing a minimum of two years in a program offered in English in a Canadian College
successfully completing between 12 and 16 CEGEP courses in an English cégep situated in Canada.
passing the International Baccalaureate English A course with a minimum grade of 4 (SL or HL course is acceptable)
passing a GCE A or AS Level English (non-ESL) course with a minimum grade of B. O Level or GCSE/IGCSE English is not sufficient for an exemption.
passing the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition course with a grade of 4
achieving a score of 31 on the SAT writing section (paper version)
achieving a score of 550 in the Reading and Writing section of the SAT Digital version
passing the CBSE or CISCE senior (12th) English subject with a final grade of 75% (Indian grading scale). If you are currently attending secondary school, interim grades (for example, pre-board exam results) will be used.
Completing the English Intensive Program offered by the University of Ottawa.

If you are in the process of meeting one of these requirements, you must provide interim grades. A proof of registration may be required.

If you believe you meet one of these requirements and that the University should exempt you from having to submit the results of an English language proficiency test, email [email protected].

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

Important note:

Please note that the completion of a Bridging program at another institution does not qualify you for an exemption.
Please note that if a language test is submitted, it will be considered, even if you meet the requirements for an exemption.

Language tests accepted

You must achieve the scores below for all programs offered in a direct-entry faculty. Even if you achieve the required score, we reserve the right to have you take language courses if we feel that your knowledge of one of our two official languages is not satisfactory. All language proficiency tests must be completed less than two years before the beginning of the term indicated on your application for admission to the University of Ottawa. Please also note that only the latest scores will be considered.

English Intensive Program (EIP)

Depending on your language test scores, you might be admitted with language conditions. You may be required to enrol in one or two English-as-a-second-language courses during first year or complete the English Intensive Program (EIP).

If your offer of admission includes a requirement to take one or two English Language Studies courses, you can complete those courses while starting your program of study.

The English Intensive Program is a great way to improve your English language skills and prepare to enrol at the University of Ottawa. You might have to enrol in and pass the EIP before you can start your program. If you pass the most advanced EIP course (ESL 0140) with a final grade of B or higher, you will not have to pass one of the above language tests.

Note: Students who have applied for admission to any Bachelor of Music or the Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Arts) are not eligible for the English Intensive Program.

Learn more about the English Intensive Program (EIP)

Contact the EIP:

Centre for Language Learning
Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute
[email protected]

Language tests accepted

The University of Ottawa is authorized to receive test scores electronically. However, keep the following in mind: Your official IELTS results must be sent to us electronically directly from the test centre. Be sure to include our institution name in the STED RO section of your request as well as our institution code University of Ottawa – Admissions (124039) with the option to electronically transmit test scores.

Submitting your TRF (test report form) number is not sufficient to send your results.
Be advised that we only accept IELTS Academic test results.
We accept IELTS (Academic) One Skill Retake.
Ensure that the name, email address, and date of birth indicated on your test is the same as what you entered on your University of Ottawa application; otherwise, your results will not be added to your file.

Required score for direct entry

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted with no language conditions.

Test	Overall score	Writing section
IELTS Academic	6.5	6.5

Please note that achieving an overall score of 6.0 on the IELTS allows you to begin your program of study directly, with extra ESL courses.

Required scores for the English Intensive Program (EIP)

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted on the condition that you complete our English Intensive Program.

Required test	Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)
IELTS	Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 5 or Overall score of 5 and writing score of 4.5

Required test

Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)

IELTS

Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 5

or

Overall score of 5 and writing score of 4.5

Please note: If you receive a score of 4.0 in any other band in the IELTS, you won't be considered for admission. You'll need to improve your English proficiency before applying again.

If you’re admitted into the English Intensive Program, you’ll need to complete between 8 and 42 weeks of Intensive ESL courses.

ESL 0120 = 14 weeks
ESL 0130 = 14 weeks
ESL 0140 = 8 to 14 weeks

IELTS test score	English Intensive Program (EIP) required
Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 5 or Overall score of 5 and writing score of 4.5	ESL0120 (14 weeks) ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (14 weeks)
Overall score of 5.5 and writing score of 5 or Overall score of 5 and writing score of 5.5	ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (14 weeks)
Overall score of 5.5 and writing score of 6 or Overall score of 6 and writing score of 5.5 (Summer intensive program offered)	ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

IELTS test score

English Intensive Program (EIP) required

Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 5

or

Overall score of 5 and writing score of 4.5

ESL0120 (14 weeks)

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (14 weeks)

Overall score of 5.5 and writing score of 5

or

Overall score of 5 and writing score of 5.5

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (14 weeks)

Overall score of 5.5 and writing score of 6

or

Overall score of 6 and writing score of 5.5

(Summer intensive program offered)

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

No additional application to the EIP is required.

Your official TOEFL results must be sent to us electronically directly from the test centre. The institution code to enter for your score to be sent to us is 0993.

The University of Ottawa is authorized to receive test scores electronically.

However, keep the following in mind:

We only accept TOEFL internet-based (IBT), Special at Home Edition and TOEFL Essentials test results.
We accept MyBest scores for the TOEFL IBT test.
Ensure that your name, email address and date of birth indicated on your test are the same as what you entered on your University of Ottawa application; otherwise, your results won’t be added to your file.

Required score for direct entry

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted with no language conditions.

Test	Overall score	Writing section	Listening section	Reading section
TOEFL IBT Internet-based (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)	86	22	n/a	n/a
TOEFL (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)	4.5	4.5	n/a	n/a
TOEFL Home edition	86	22	n/a	n/a

Required scores for the English Intensive Program (EIP)

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted on the condition that you complete our English Intensive Program.

Required test	Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)
TOEFL Internet based	Overall score of 60 and writing score of 20 or Overall score of 70 and writing score of 16
TOEFL (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)	Overall score of 3.5 and writing score of 4.5 or Overall score of 4.0 and writing score of 3.5

Required test

Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)

TOEFL

Internet based

Overall score of 60 and writing score of 20

or

Overall score of 70 and writing score of 16

TOEFL (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)

Overall score of 3.5 and writing score of 4.5

or

Overall score of 4.0 and writing score of 3.5

If you’re admitted into the English Intensive Program, you’ll need to complete between 8 and 36 weeks of Intensive ESL courses.

ESL 0120 = 14 weeks
ESL 0130 = 14 weeks
ESL 0140 = 8 to 14 weeks

TOEFL test score (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)	English Intensive Program (EIP) required
Overall score of 60 and writing score of 20 or Overall score of 70 and writing score of 16	ESL0120 (14 weeks) ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)
Overall score of 60 and writing score of 22 or Overall score of 70 and writing score of 18	ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)
Overall score of 70 and writing score of 22 or Overall score of 78 and writing score of 18	ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

TOEFL test score (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)

English Intensive Program (EIP) required

Overall score of 60 and writing score of 20

or

Overall score of 70 and writing score of 16

ESL0120 (14 weeks)

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

Overall score of 60 and writing score of 22

or

Overall score of 70 and writing score of 18

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

Overall score of 70 and writing score of 22

or

Overall score of 78 and writing score of 18

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

TOEFL test score (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)	English Intensive Program (EIP) required
Overall score of 4 and writing score of 3.5 or Overall score of 4 and writing score of 4	ESL0120 (14 weeks) ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (14 weeks)
Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 3.5	ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (14 weeks)
Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 4 or Overall score of 5, 5.5 or 6 and writing score of 3.5 (Summer intensive program offered)	ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

TOEFL test score (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)

English Intensive Program (EIP) required

Overall score of 4 and writing score of 3.5

or

Overall score of 4 and writing score of 4

ESL0120 (14 weeks)

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (14 weeks)

Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 3.5

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (14 weeks)

Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 4

or

Overall score of 5, 5.5 or 6 and writing score of 3.5

(Summer intensive program offered)

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

No additional application to the EIP is required.

Your official Duolingo results must be sent to us electronically directly from the test centre. Be sure to share your results with the University of Ottawa through the Duolingo Dashboard.

The University of Ottawa is authorized to receive test scores electronically. However, keep the following in mind:

Ensure that the name, email address and date of birth indicated on your test are the same as what you entered on your University of Ottawa application; otherwise, your results won’t be added to your file.
If you’ve already submitted your application through OUAC, enter your OUAC reference number when completing your Duolingo English Test. You can enter your OUAC reference number after choosing “University of Ottawa Undergraduate” in the Duolingo sharing flow.

Learn more about how to send your Duolingo test results to institutions.

Required score for direct entry

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted with no language conditions.

Test	Overall score	Literacy
Duolingo	120	120

Required scores for the English Intensive Program (EIP)

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted on the condition that you complete our English Intensive Program.

Required test	Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)
DUOLINGO	Overall score of 85 and literacy score of 85

If you’re admitted into the English Intensive Program, you’ll need to complete between 8 and 36 weeks of Intensive ESL courses.

ESL 0120 = 14 weeks
ESL 0130 = 14 weeks
ESL 0140 = 8 to 14 weeks

Duolingo English test score	English Intensive Program (EIP) required
Overall score of 85 and literacy score of 89	ESL0120 (14 weeks) ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0130 (8 or 14 weeks)
Overall score of 90 and literacy score of 99	ESL0130 (14 weeks) ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)
Overall score of 95 and literacy score of 99	ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

Duolingo English test score

English Intensive Program (EIP) required

Overall score of 85 and literacy score of 89

ESL0120 (14 weeks)

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0130 (8 or 14 weeks)

Overall score of 90 and literacy score of 99

ESL0130 (14 weeks)

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

Overall score of 95 and literacy score of 99

ESL0140 (8 or 14 weeks)

No additional application to the EIP is required.

The University of Ottawa also accepts the LanguageCert Academic test, the Michigan English Test, the Pearson Test of English (PTE), the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam (CAE) and the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test.

You must email your scores to [email protected].

Required score for direct entry

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted with no language conditions.

Test	Overall score	Writing section
PTE	60	60
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency	176	n/a
CAEL A score of 60 is required in the reading, speaking and listening performance sections.	60	60

Required scores for the English Intensive Program (EIP)

You must achieve the following scores to be admitted on the condition that you complete our English Intensive Program.

Required test	Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)
CAEL	Overall score of 40 and writing of 30
PTE	Overall score between 48-55 and writing between 45-48 or Overall score between 40-47 and writing between 53-57

Required test

Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program (EIP)

CAEL

Overall score of 40 and writing of 30

PTE

Overall score between 48-55 and writing between 45-48

or

Overall score between 40-47 and writing between 53-57

Scores below the level required or refusal

If you’ve completed a language test and your results are below our required scores for direct admission into the program, submit your results anyway.

You can always take the test again and request a re-evaluation by email at [email protected] (provided that we receive your scores weeks prior to course enrolment).

Please note that you must pass the same test for an updated offer. For example, if you’ve submitted an IELTS, you must submit another IELTS.

Language tests we don’t accept for admission

We don’t accept the following language proficiency tests for admission to undergraduate programs since these tests are designed for immigration or non-academic purposes — they focus on functional or general language ability rather than academic proficiency:

IELTS for UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration)

This version of the IELTS is tailored for UK immigration processes. It doesn’t meet the academic language requirements for university admission.

TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada)

This test is intended for Canadian immigration applications. It’s not recognized for academic admission purposes.

TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français pour le Canada)

While widely used for immigration (e.g., Express Entry), this version of the TEF is unsuitable for university admissions because it doesn’t align with academic proficiency standards.

CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)
Bright Language test

Language requirements

French-language programs