Fanshawe English test minimums
Scores are from Fanshawe's English language requirements page. TOEFL is shown on the 2026 1–6 scale first and the older 0–120 scale second. The health career programs are Dental Hygiene, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Paramedic, Respiratory Therapy, Practical Nursing, Medical Radiation Technology, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, and the Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Exceptions: Business Fundamentals takes IELTS 5.5 with no band below 5.0, 911 and Public Safety Communications uses the diploma score, and the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership uses the health-program score. CAEL and Cambridge English are also accepted, with CAEL Online for every program except Pharmacy Technician.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomas, advanced diplomas, certificates | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 4.5 (none below 4) or 79 | 53 | 105, none below 95 |
| Degrees and graduate certificates | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 5 (none below 4.5) or 88 | 59 | 120, none below 105 |
| Health career programs | 7.0; R/L 6.5, W/S 7.0 | 5.5 (R/L 5, W/S 5.5) or 92 | 65 | 135, Literacy 130, others 125 |
| Pharmacy Technician | R/L/S 7.0, W 6.5 | 91 | Not stated by Fanshawe | Not stated by Fanshawe |
IELTS Indicator, TOEFL Home Edition and validity
Fanshawe accepts the IELTS Indicator test and TOEFL iBT including the Home Edition, but not TOEFL Essentials. Test results must be within the last two years.
A position on IELTS One Skill Retake is not stated by Fanshawe.
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Take a free scored IELTS mock →Waivers and Fanshawe's ESL pathway
Fanshawe may waive the test if you come from a country whose primary official language is English, or hold a credential of at least two years in English completed within the last two years. Its own ESL/English Language Studies program also counts: for diplomas, 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9 or 70% in Level 10.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Fanshawe's scores decide admission only. IRCC sets no minimum English score for a study permit; any language condition is written into your letter of acceptance (see IELTS for a Canada study permit). The Post-Graduation Work Permit is a separate test again. IRCC's PGWP eligibility page asks graduates of college, polytechnic and other non-university programs for CLB 5 in all four skills, and anyone who graduated with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree for CLB 7. On IELTS General Training, CLB 5 is Reading 4.0 and Writing, Listening and Speaking 5.0 (IRCC score table). The PGWP takes IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core, not IELTS Academic, and college programs also face a field-of-study rule if you applied for your study permit on or after 1 November 2024 (see IELTS for the PGWP).
Frequently asked questions
Does Fanshawe accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 53 for diplomas and certificates, 59 for degrees and graduate certificates, and 65 for health career programs.
Does Fanshawe accept Duolingo?+
Yes. 105 (no score below 95) for diplomas, 120 (none below 105) for degrees and graduate certificates, and 135 for health career programs.
What IELTS does Fanshawe Practical Nursing require?+
IELTS Academic 7.0, with no score below 6.5 in Reading and Listening and 7.0 in Writing and Speaking.
Does Fanshawe accept the IELTS Indicator?+
Yes. Fanshawe states it accepts the IELTS Indicator Test.
Does the Fanshawe IELTS score count for the PGWP?+
No. The college's score is an admission rule on IELTS Academic. For the PGWP, IRCC asks graduates of non-degree college programs for CLB 5 in every skill and degree graduates for CLB 7, proved with IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core.
Keep reading
Related
- Conestoga College IELTS requirement
- IELTS for nurses in Canada
- IELTS for Canada
- IELTS for the Canada PGWP
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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