University of Toronto English test minimums
Undergraduate scores are from the U of T English language requirements page; graduate scores are from the School of Graduate Studies testing page. Undergraduate TOEFL: 89 with 22 in Speaking and Writing on the old scale, or 4.5 overall with 4.5 Writing and 4.0 Speaking for tests from 21 January 2026. Graduate TOEFL: 93 with 22 in Writing and Speaking, or 4.5 with 4.5 Writing and 4.0 Speaking.
Other undergraduate options: CAEL 70 with no part below 60, and Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180 with 170 in each component (B2 First is not accepted). Graduate options include CAEL 70 with 60 in each part, Cambridge 185 with 176 in each component, and COPE 76. Undergraduates must also present a senior-level English course equivalent to Ontario ENG4U.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 89 (S/W 22) or 4.5 (W 4.5, S 4.0) | 65, no part below 60 | 120, Production 120 |
| Graduate (SGS minimum) | 7.0, 6.5 each band | 93 (W/S 22) or 4.5 (W 4.5, S 4.0) | Not listed by SGS | Not listed by SGS |
One Skill Retake, IELTS Online and validity
Undergraduate: IELTS Online is accepted, but the IELTS Indicator and One Skill Retake are not, and scores must come from a single test date. TOEFL MyBest super-scores are rejected. Scores must be sent directly by the testing agency.
Graduate: tests must have been taken "within the last 24 months", and the SGS page also excludes the IELTS Indicator, One Skill Retake, TOEFL ITP and MyBest. Individual departments may set higher scores, so check your program page.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →If your score is short: U of T English programs
Academically qualified undergraduate applicants who miss the English score may be offered an English language transition program; U of T says these run "from six weeks to eight months" across its three campuses. At graduate level, a B in Level 60 of U of T's Academic Preparation course is listed as an alternative to a test.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
The University of Toronto'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 UofT accept PTE?+
Yes for undergraduate admission: PTE Academic 65 with no part below 60. The School of Graduate Studies testing page does not list PTE.
Does the University of Toronto accept Duolingo?+
For undergraduates, yes: 120 overall with 120 in Production, for tests from 1 July 2024. Duolingo is not listed on the graduate testing page.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at U of T?+
At least 7.0 overall with 6.5 in each band, the SGS minimum. Some departments require more.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted at U of T?+
No. Neither undergraduate admissions nor the School of Graduate Studies accepts One Skill Retake scores.
Is the U of T 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
- McMaster IELTS requirement
- IELTS for a Canada study permit
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- 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.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy