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.
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.
We also offer language test exemptions.
Remember: Language requirements are not based on citizenship. They are based on your country of study.
Countries and regions eligible for an English language test exemption
You do not have to pass an English language test if you have completed your studies in one of the locations listed below, as long you have completed three years of full-time studies in an institution where English is the only language of instruction.
If you are not sure whether you must pass a language test, contact the admissions office.
Remember: The University of Ottawa reserves the right to request the results of a language test at any time and to refuse a language test exemption request.
Anguilla |
Antigua & Barbuda |
Australia |
Bahamas |
Barbados |
Belize |
Bermuda |
Botswana |
Canada |
Dominica |
Eritrea |
Falkland Island |
Fiji |
Gambia |
Ghana |
Grenada |
Guam |
Guyana |
Hong Kong |
Ireland |
Jamaica |
Kenya |
Kiribati |
Lesotho |
Liberia |
Malawi |
Malta |
Marshall Islands |
Mauritius |
Micronesia |
New Zealand |
Nigeria |
Pakistan |
Palau |
Papua New Guinea |
The Philippines |
Puerto Rico |
Seychelles |
Sierra Leone |
Singapore |
Sint Maarten |
South Africa |
St. Kitts and Nevis |
St. Lucia |
St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
Sudan |
Tanzania |
Tonga |
Trinidad and Tobago |
Tuvalu |
Uganda |
United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, Wales) |
United States |
Zambia |
Zimbabwe |
Other possibilities of exemptions
We might offer you an exemption if you meet, or are in the process of meeting, one of the following conditions:
- achieving a final grade of 70% 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
- passing at least 18 Ontario secondary school courses excluding ESL and technical courses (or the equivalent in another Canadian province) while studying at a school physically located in Canada
- passing the International Baccalaureate English A course with a minimum grade of 4
- 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
- passing the CBSE or CISCE senior 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.
If you are in the process of meeting one of these requirements, you must provide interim grades.
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 admissions@uOttawa.ca.
The University of Ottawa reserves the right to refuse exemption requests.
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.
Required scores
IELTS (University of Ottawa Institution Code: 0993)
Test | Overall score | Writing section |
---|---|---|
IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 |
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 (code 0993) with the option to electronically transmit test scores.
The University of Ottawa is authorized to receive test scores electronically. However, keep the following in mind:
- Submitting your TRF (test report form) number is not sufficient to send your results.
- Be advised that we only accept academic IELTS test results.
- Ensure that the name and date of birth indicated on your test is the same as what you entered on your University of Ottawa application.
TOEFL (University of Ottawa Institution Code: 0993)
Test |
Overall score |
Writing section |
Listening section |
Reading section |
---|---|---|---|---|
Internet-based (IBT) |
86 |
22 |
n/a |
n/a |
Paper-delivered |
n/a |
22 |
20 |
20 |
Special at Home Edition | 86 | 22 | n/a | n/a |
Other tests
Test |
Overall score |
Writing section |
---|---|---|
Averaged listening and reading: 4.5 |
4 |
|
70 |
60 |
|
60 |
60 |
|
C1 |
n/a |
|
120 |
n/a |
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).
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 the Telfer School of Management are not eligible for the English Intensive Program.
Note: Students who submit a DuoLingo Test will only be considered for direct entry into their program of study. They will need to submit one of the following tests in order to be considered for the English Intensive Program.
Required test |
Minimum score for conditional admission with enrolment in the English Intensive Program |
---|---|
TOEFL Internet based |
Overall score of 60 and writing score of 20 or Overall score of 70 and writing score of 16 |
IELTS |
Overall score of 4.5 and writing score of 5 or Overall score of 5 and writing score of 4.5 |
Learn more about the English Intensive Program (EIP)
Contact the EIP:
Second Language Intensive Programs
Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute
eip@uOttawa.ca
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.
We also offer language test exemptions for international students studying a Canadian curriculum.
Remember: Language requirements are not based on citizenship. They are based on your country of study.
Required level of study by country
You do not have to pass a French language test if you have completed your studies in one of the locations listed below, as long you have completed three years of full-time studies in an institution where French is the only language of instruction.
If you are not sure whether you must pass a language test, contact the admissions office.
Remember: The University of Ottawa reserves the right to request the results of a language test at any time and to refuse a language test exemption request.
Countries eligible for a French language test exemption
Algeria |
Belgium |
Benin |
Burkina Faso |
Burundi |
Canada |
Central African Republic |
Chad |
Comoros |
Republic of the Congo |
Democratic Republic of Congo |
Ivory Coast |
Djibouti |
France |
Equatorial Guinea |
French Guiana |
Gabon |
Guinea |
Haiti |
Luxembourd |
Madagascar |
Mali |
Mauritius (francophone education system only) |
Monaco |
Niger |
Senegal |
Seychelles |
Switzerland |
Togo |
Tunisia |
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.
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) |
TEF Études (Test d’évaluation de français) |
B2 |
TCF (Test de connaissance du français) *All three mandatory components of the test must be completed Only the TCF Tout Public and the TCF DAP are accepted for admission purposes. |
B2 |
4 |
|
B2 |