Trent English test minimums
Undergraduate scores are from Trent's English proficiency page; graduate scores are from the School of Graduate Studies international applicants page. Undergraduate TOEFL is 4.5 with Writing 4.0 from 2026, or 86 with Writing 20 before. Graduate TOEFL is 4.5 with Writing 4.5 and Speaking 4.0, or 93 with Speaking and Writing 22 for tests before 1 January 2026.
Undergraduates can also use CAEL 60, Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176 with no sub-score below 169, Oxford ELLT 7 with no band below 6, or LanguageCert Academic 70–74 with no score below 65. Graduate applicants can use CAEL 60 with Writing 60, or Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176 with no sub-score below 169.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 4.5 (Writing 4.0) or 86 (Writing 20) | 59 (in person or online) | 115 |
| Graduate | 6.5, no band below 6.0 (Academic) | 4.5 (W 4.5, S 4.0) or 93 (S/W 22) | 60, no sub-score below 60 | Not accepted by Graduate Studies |
Exemptions and validity
Undergraduates are exempt with an IB diploma taught in English (English A), British-curriculum English at the listed grades, at least three years of full-time study at a secondary school taught entirely in English, two years at a community college or one year at a university taught entirely in English, all without ESL courses. Trent asks for an official school letter if the transcript does not show the language of instruction, and can still request a test from anyone.
Graduate tests must be taken within 24 months before you submit the application. If you completed two or more years of post-secondary study at a university taught in English in a non-exempt country, Graduate Studies will consider a letter or transcript confirming English instruction instead. An undergraduate validity period, and a position on IELTS One Skill Retake or IELTS Online, are not stated by Trent.
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Undergraduates whose offer asks for proof of English must send it by 1 July for September, 1 November for January and 1 March for May. Applicants who do not meet the requirement or an exemption can still enter undergraduate studies through Trent's official partner, the Oxford International Digital Institute's online Pathways English Course for higher education in Canada.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Trent'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 for CLB 7 in all four skills if you graduate with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, and CLB 7 too if you graduate from "any other university program", which must also be in an eligible field of study if you applied for your study permit on or after 1 November 2024. The lower CLB 5 applies only to college, polytechnic and other non-university programs. On IELTS General Training, CLB 7 is 6.0 in each skill (IRCC score table). The PGWP takes IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core, not IELTS Academic (see IELTS for the PGWP).
Frequently asked questions
Does Trent University accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic, in person or online, at 59 for undergraduate admission and 60 with no sub-score below 60 for graduate admission.
Does Trent accept Duolingo?+
For undergraduate admission, yes, with a score of 115. The School of Graduate Studies does not accept Duolingo.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Trent?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0, taken within the last 24 months at the time you submit your application.
Can I skip the IELTS at Trent with English-medium schooling?+
Undergraduates can claim an exemption after three full-time years at a secondary school taught entirely in English with no ESL courses, with an official school letter if the transcript does not say so.
Does the Trent IELTS score count for the PGWP?+
No. The university's score is an admission rule on IELTS Academic. For the PGWP, IRCC asks university graduates, of degree and other university programs alike, for CLB 7 in every skill, proved with IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core.
Keep reading
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Verified against the linked official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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