Language requirements

Courses at the University of Ottawa are given in English, French or both languages. You must master one of the two languages to be admitted. We reserve the right to request the result of a language test at any time if necessary.

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 for a French-language program and have not completed at least three years of full-time study in an institution where French is the only language of instruction (aside from in language courses) in a country where French is an official language, you must submit your official score in one of the following language tests.

In order to be considered for a program offered in French at the University of Ottawa, you must demonstrate that you are sufficiently proficient in the language to follow a postsecondary academic program. Please note that citizenship is not considered when evaluating French proficiency. To show that your French proficiency is at the academic level required for university studies, provide proof of either:

  • Postsecondary studies in French; or
  • Last three years of high school taken in French (Grades 10, 11 or 12)

Remember: Language requirements are not based on citizenship. They are based on your country of study.

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.

TestRequired 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 épreuvesB2

English-language programs

If you’re applying for an English-language program and have not completed at least three years of full-time study in an institution where English is the only language of instruction (aside from in language courses) in a country where English is an official language, you must submit your official score in one of the following language tests. The official results must be sent directly to us online from the test centre.

In order to be considered for a program offered in English at the University of Ottawa, you must demonstrate that you are sufficiently proficient in the language to follow a postsecondary academic program. Please note that citizenship is not considered when evaluating English proficiency. To show that your English proficiency is at the academic level required for university studies, provide proof of either:

  • Postsecondary studies in English; or
  • Last three years of high school taken in English (Grades 10, 11 or 12)

Remember: Language requirements are not based on citizenship. They are based on your country of study.

We also offer language test exemptions. See below.

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.

TestOverall scoreWriting section
IELTS Academic6.56.5

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 testMinimum 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 scoreEnglish 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.

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

Contact information

InfoAdmission

Tabaret Hall
75 Laurier Avenue East, Room 129
Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5
Canada

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