Sprott Shaw minimum scores by program
From Sprott Shaw's English language requirements and equivalents (May 2026). The score must be no more than two years old on your first day of class.
| Programs | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Business, tourism and hospitality, ECE, community support, education assistant, dental | Academic 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 46, PTE Academic 43, Duolingo 95, CAEL 40, CELPIP L6 S6 R5 W5 |
| Health care assistant | Academic or General 6.0; Speaking and Listening 6.0, Reading and Writing 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 76, CAEL 60, CELPIP L7 S7 R6 W6 |
| Health care assistant with combined ESL | 5.5; Speaking and Listening 5.5, Reading and Writing 5.0 | TOEFL iBT 56, CAEL 50, CELPIP L6 S6 R5 W5 |
| Practical nursing (PN, PNA) | Academic 7.0; Speaking and Listening 7.0, Reading and Writing 6.5 | CELBAN |
| Primary care paramedic | Academic 7.0; Listening 7.5, Speaking and Writing 7.0, Reading 6.5 | Not listed |
| Pharmacy technician | Academic: Reading, Listening, Speaking 7.0, Writing 6.5 | OET B, B, B, C+ |
Exemptions and Duolingo limits
For most programs you can skip the test with full-time secondary school where English is a principal language of instruction (two years if all are Grades 10 to 12, three if they include Grades 8 or 9) or two years of full-time post-secondary study in English, not counting ESL courses. Foreign records need an evaluation service such as WES or ICES to confirm both the language of instruction and the credential level, so an Indian or Nigerian English-medium record has to be evaluated first.
Duolingo is not accepted for practical nursing, health care assistant, dental assistant or pharmacy technician. Global Business Management also needs a diploma or degree from an accredited college or university, plus the same English proof.
Free test: are you at Sprott Shaw College's score yet?
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Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Sprott Shaw's scores decide admission only. Immigration is a separate set of tests: for the study permit see IELTS for a Canada study permit, and for whether a Post-Graduation Work Permit applies after your program and which test and level it needs, see IELTS for the Canada PGWP.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Sprott Shaw College publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Sprott Shaw College need?+
IELTS Academic 5.5 for most programs. Health care assistant needs 6.0, and practical nursing and primary care paramedic need 7.0 with band minimums.
Does Sprott Shaw accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 43 for most programs.
Does Sprott Shaw accept Duolingo?+
Yes, 95 for most programs, but not for practical nursing, health care assistant, dental assistant or pharmacy technician.
Do Indian students need IELTS for Sprott Shaw?+
Not if they can prove enough full-time schooling or two years of post-secondary study where English was a principal language of instruction, confirmed by an evaluation service such as WES or ICES. Otherwise a test is needed.
Does the Sprott Shaw College IELTS score count for the PGWP?+
No. The admission score is set by the school. The Post-Graduation Work Permit has its own language rules set by IRCC; our PGWP guide explains which tests and levels apply.
Keep reading
Related
- Douglas College IELTS requirement
- Langara College IELTS requirement
- IELTS for nurses in Canada
- IELTS for the Canada PGWP
- All 1393 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 14 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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