Queen's University English test minimums
Undergraduate scores are from Queen's English proficiency requirements page; graduate scores are from the School of Graduate Studies admission regulations in the academic calendar. Undergraduate TOEFL is 4.5 with no skill below 4.0, or 88 with 20 in each section for tests before January 2026; TOEFL Home Edition is listed. Graduate TOEFL iBT is 88 with Writing 24, Speaking 22, Reading 22 and Listening 20.
Undergraduates can also use CAEL 70 (no band below 60), Cambridge English 175 (no component below 170) or LanguageCert Academic 70 (65 each). Graduate alternatives are CAEL CE 70 and MELAB 80. The graduate calendar notes that not every program accepts every test.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 4.5 (4.0 each) or 88 (20 each) | 60 | 120 |
| Graduate (SGSPA minimum) | 7.0 | 88 (W 24, S 22, R 22, L 20) | 65 | Not listed by Queen's |
Validity and higher department scores
Undergraduate results are valid for a maximum of two years before you begin studies at Queen's, and they must come directly from the testing body. A TOEFL minimum on the new 1–6 scale is not stated in the graduate calendar.
Graduate: the calendar says some departments have higher minimums in one or more tests, and you must meet the minimum in each component as well as overall. A graduate validity period and a position on IELTS One Skill Retake are not stated by Queen's.
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Academically competitive undergraduates who miss the score are assessed automatically for QBridge. QBridge Accelerated, an eight-week summer course, takes IELTS 6.0, PTE 55 or Duolingo 95, and you need a B to start your degree. QBridge EAP takes IELTS 5.5, PTE 40 or Duolingo 80. Graduate applicants with an A- in ESLA 150 may not need a test.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Queen's'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: university graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills, proved with IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core, not IELTS Academic (see IELTS for the PGWP).
Frequently asked questions
Does Queen's University accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 60 for undergraduate admission and 65 for graduate admission.
Does Queen's accept Duolingo?+
For undergraduates, yes: a minimum of 120. Duolingo is not in the graduate calendar's list of accepted tests.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Queen's?+
IELTS Academic 7, the School of Graduate Studies minimum. Some departments ask for more.
What if my IELTS is 6.0 for Queen's?+
You may qualify for QBridge Accelerated, which takes IELTS 6.0 overall, if you are competitive in every other respect.
Is the Queen's IELTS score the same as the study permit requirement?+
No. IRCC sets no minimum language score for a study permit; the university's score is an admission rule. The PGWP later needs CLB 7 for university graduates, on a General Training-type test.
Keep reading
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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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