English language proficiency | Future Graduate Students - McGill Universityhttp://www.mcgill.

ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/international/proficiency
(http://www.mcgill.ca)

Proof of proficiency - not required

Proof of proficiency required

Exemptions

Since English is the primary language of instruction and communication at McGill, you must demonstrate an
adequate level of proficiency in English, regardless of your citizenship status or country of origin.
McGill University has this language requirement to ensure that all students will have the opportunity for success in
their chosen program. Below you will find information on when proof of proficiency is required, not required and
where exemptions may occur.

Normally, if you meet any one of the following conditions you are not required to submit proof of proficiency in
English:
Mother tongue (language first learned and still used on a daily basis) is English
Has obtained (or is about to obtain) an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized foreign
institution where English is the language of instruction
Has obtained (or is about to obtain) an undergraduate or graduate degree from a recognized institution in
Canada or the United States of America (anglophone or francophone)
Has lived and attended university, or been employed, for at least four consecutive years, in a country where
English is the acknowledged primary language.

If you do not meet any of the above-listed conditions, you must demonstrate proficiency in English using one of the
following options:

1 of 3

1. TOEFL (http://www.toefl.org/) (Test of English as a Foreign Language): minimum acceptable scores are:

86 overall, (no less than 20 in each of the four component scores)

567

The CBT is no longer being offered. CBT results will no longer be accepted as ETS no longer reports these
results.
N.B. an institutional version of the TOEFL is not acceptable.
IELTS (http://www.ielts.org/) (International English Language Testing System): a band score of 6.5 or greater
(Academic module)

2014-09-25 3:01 PM

English language proficiency | Future Graduate Students - McGill Universityhttp://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/international/proficiency

Effective for applicants to Winter 2015, McGill University only accepts IELTS scores submitted electronically
by an IELTS test center. No paper test report forms will be accepted. An institutional code is NOT required.
Applicants must directly ask the test center where the test is taken to send the test scores to McGill
electronically using the IELTS system. IELTS test centers worldwide are able to send scores electronically to
McGill.
MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) (http://www.cambridgemichigan.org/): a mark of
85% or higher
University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): a grade of B (Good) or higher
University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): a grade of C (Pass) or higher
Edexcel London Test of English Level 4 with an overall grade of at least Merit Pass
Edexcel London Test of English Level 5 with an overall grade of at least Pass
McGill Certificate of Proficiency in English or McGill Certificate of Proficiency English for Professional
Communication: Certificate of Proficiency awarded.
In each case, you must ensure that the official test results are sent directly to McGill (Institution Code: 0935) by
the testing service. Students cannot upload their results themselves, nor can administration upload paper copies of
their results. Applications cannot be considered if test results are not available. These scores are the general
minimum; some departments may set higher requirements.

Applicants who have completed a degree program at universities in the following countries may be exempt from
showing proof of proficiency in English.
Anguilla

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Bhutan

Botswana

Canada

Cayman Islands

Dominica

Eritrea

Ethiopia

Fiji

Gambia

Ghana

Grenada

Guyana

Hong Kong*

India

Ireland

Jamaica

Kenya

Kiribati

Lesotho

Liberia

Malawi

Marshall Islands

Micronesia

Namibia

New Zealand

Nigeria

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Pakistan

Saint Kitts & Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Seychelles

Sierra Leone

Singapore

Solomon Islands

South Africa

Swaziland

Tanzania

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

United Kingdom

United States of America

Zambia

Zimbabwe

*Applicants from the Chinese University of Hong Kong are required to provide proof of English proficiency.
Some applicants from South Africa may be required to provide proof of English proficiency as not all universities

2 of 3

2014-09-25 3:01 PM

English language proficiency | Future Graduate Students - McGill Universityhttp://www.mcgill.ca/gradapplicants/apply/prepare/international/proficiency

teach in English.

Classified as country (/gradapplicants/category/tags/country) test (/gradapplicants/category/tags/test)

TOEFL (/gradapplicants/category/tags/toefl)
Updated on Tue, 2014-02-04 11:27

(http://blogs.mcgill.ca
/gradlife/)

Copyright 2014 McGill University

3 of 3

(https://www.facebook.com
/mcgillgradschool)

(https://twitter.com
/mcgillgradstudy)

(http://www.flickr.com/photos
/mcgillgradstudy)

(http://www.mcgill.ca)

2014-09-25 3:01 PM