Guelph-Humber minimum scores
From Guelph-Humber's English language requirements page. Results must be less than two years old when you apply, and you are not asked for them up front: after you apply you receive an email with instructions if you need to prove English.
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, no band below 6 |
| PTE Academic | 60, no component below 60 |
| TOEFL iBT or Home Edition | 89, no section below 21 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110; subscores may be considered |
| CAEL (CAEL Online accepted) | 70 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 176, no band below 169 |
Who needs a score, and the TOEFL change
You need proof if your first language is not English, or if you have had less than four years of full-time secondary or post-secondary study in an English-language school system. Completing the International Baccalaureate diploma in English counts as meeting the requirement, and Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada are exempt.
The page notes TOEFL's new score scale from 21 January 2026 but has not yet posted minimums on that scale; it says all valid TOEFL scores on either scale continue to be accepted. Completing the Advanced Level (Levels 9 and 10) of the University of Guelph's English Language Certificate program is another accepted route.
Free test: are you at the University of Guelph-Humber's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Guelph-Humber'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 the University of Guelph-Humber 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 score does Guelph-Humber need?+
IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.
Does Guelph-Humber accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 60 overall with no component below 60.
Does Guelph-Humber accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo English Test 110, and individual subscores may be considered.
Do Indian students need IELTS for Guelph-Humber?+
Usually, yes. You need proof unless you have had four years of full-time study in an English-language school system; the email you get after applying tells you whether you must submit a score.
Does the Guelph-Humber 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
- Humber Polytechnic IELTS requirement
- University of Guelph IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- 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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