SFU English test minimums
Undergraduate scores are from SFU's English language requirement page; graduate scores are from Graduate Studies' English language page. Undergraduate TOEFL is 4.5 with no part below 4.0, or 88 with no part below 20 for tests before 21 January 2026. Graduate TOEFL is 4.5 with 4.0 in each section, or 90 with 20 in each for older tests.
Undergraduates can also use CAEL 70 (60 per part), Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency at 176 (169 per part) or LanguageCert Academic 70 (65 per part). Graduate alternatives are CAEL 70 (60 per section) and Cambridge C1 or C2 at 180.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, no part below 6.0 | 4.5 (4.0 each) or 88 (20 each) | 65, 60 each skill | 125 |
| Graduate (university minimum) | 6.5, 6.0 each section | 4.5 (4.0 each) or 90 (20 each) | 65, 60 each section | 125, 105 each section |
One Skill Retake, single test and validity
Undergraduate: SFU states "IELTS One Skill Retake results are not accepted", and exams taken more than 24 months before you apply are not considered. TOEFL scores must come from a single test; MyBest and TOEFL Essentials are not used, and TOEFL iBT Home is accepted.
Graduate: scores are valid for two years from the test date and must be achieved in a single test. Some graduate programs set higher scores, and if yours does you must meet the program level. One Skill Retake is not stated by SFU's graduate page.
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Graduate applicants do not need a test if they completed a bachelor's degree or higher taught and examined in English in a country where English is the primary language. Undergraduates can instead show three years of English-medium secondary school in Canada or an English-speaking country, or four years at a recognized international school.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
SFU'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 SFU accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 65 with at least 60 in each skill, for undergraduate and graduate admission.
Does SFU accept Duolingo?+
Yes. 125 overall for undergraduates; graduate applicants also need 105 in each section.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at SFU?+
The university minimum is 6.5 overall with 6.0 in each section. Some programs set higher scores.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted at SFU?+
Not for undergraduate admission. The graduate English page does not mention it.
Is the SFU 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
Related
- UBC IELTS requirement
- TOEFL to IELTS converter
- 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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