English Language Proficiency


The Faculty of Information reserves the right to require evidence of English language proficiency from any applicant educated outside Canada, whose first language is not English. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English by submitting an acceptable score from one of several English language competency tests.
For graduate programs consult the UofT School of Graduate Studies (SGS) website for information on available tests. Note that the Faculty of Information may require scores higher than the SGS language competency scores (see Faculty of Information minimum scores below). This requirement must be met before the Admissions Committee will review an application.

Rationale

  • Programs at the Faculty of Information are language-intensive
  • Some courses may use English in very particular philosophical and nuanced ways
  • Students are expected to function smoothly and subtly in both written and verbal English
  • Students are also expected to be English-language proficient in one-on-one interactions, group work, formal presentations, and in electronic communication media
  • For these reasons, the Faculty of Information may require scores higher than the SGS language competency scores
  • Scores must be from tests taken within the last two years

Acceptable Tests & Faculty of Information Minimum Scores

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
Institution Code for U of T Graduate Studies: 0982-00

  • Internet-based Test (iBT)
    overall score: 107/120
    speaking section: 24/30
    writing section: 27/30
  • Paper-based Test
    overall score: 600
    Test of Written English (TWE): 5.5

IELTS – International English Language Testing System (Academic)
overall score: 7.5
Writing: 7.5
Speaking: 7

Cambridge English – C1: Advanced and C2: Proficiency
Required score: 185 overall with at least 176 for each component.
Applicants should use the “Send Your Result” function on the Candidate Results portal (https://candidates.cambridgeenglish.org) to send their results electronically to the University of Toronto.

COPE – Certificate of Proficiency in English
overall score: 95
writing component: 41
each of the other components: 27

English Language Program, UofT School of Continuing Studies
overall score: ‘A’ in Level 60 in Academic English

*Please note, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) temporarily accepted the Duolingo English Test (DET) to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement for graduate admission to the Fall 2020 session only. Considering that testing centres for both TOEFL and IELTS have been resumed, Duolingo will not be accepted for Fall 2021-22 admissions. SGS will accept scores from the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition from applicants for this application cycle until further notice. Be assured that ETS intends to offer the at home tests as long as COVID-19 is a concern so that students can opt to take the test from the safety of home.

Exemptions

Some applicants may be exempt from completing an English proficiency test if they meet one of the conditions found at the bottom of the following page. Should you have any further questions, please contact us at admissions.ischool@utoronto.ca or (416) 978-3234.