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English Language Requirements

The language of instruction at The University of Winnipeg is English. Students must have a level of ability in English that allows them to participate in all aspects of university study, including lectures, reading, writing, and discussion.

If English is not the student's first/primary language and they are not from an English Exempt Country, they must provide supporting documentation to show they meet one of the conditions below. Students will not be admitted until this requirement has been met.

English Language Requirement - Test and Program Options

The tests and programs for English language that are acceptable for undergraduate programs at The University of Winnipeg are listed below. English language tests older than two years will not be considered.  The list is also here: English Language Requirement Policy [PDF].

For the English requirement in Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE) programs, please see PACE admission.

For the English requirement in Graduate Studies programs, please consult with the individual programs in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.


Test Name: Duolingo
Full Name: 
Duolingo English Test
Requirement/Score:
Minimum score of 120


Test Name: TOEFL
Full Name: Test of English as a Foreign Language
Requirement/Score:
Internet-based & Home - 
Achieve a minimum score of 86 with no less than 20 in each component. 
Please note:  MyBest Scores may be considered.
Paper-delivered Test (offered from October 2017) - results will be reviewed on an individual basis.


Test Name: IELTS
Full Name: International English Language Testing System
Requirement/Score: 
IELTS Academic, Online & UKVI 
 - Minimum overall band score of 6.5


Test Name: Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced 
Full Name: Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced
Requirement/Score: Minimum score 180


Test Name: Cambridge Assessment English: C2 Proficiency
Full Name:
Cambridge Assessment English: C2 Proficiency
Requirement/Score: 
Minimum score 180 


Test Name: CAEL, CAEL-CE, CAEL online
Full Name: Canadian Academic English Language Assessment
Requirement/Score: CAEL and CAEL-CE - Minimum score of 60; CAEL online - Minimum score of 70


Test Name: PTE
Full Name: Pearson Test of English (Academic)
Requirement/Score: Minimum of score of 58


Test Name: AEPUCE
Full Name: Academic English Program for University and College Entrance
Requirement/Score: Successful Completion


Program Name: ELP
Full Name: English Language Program at The University of Winnipeg
Requirement/Score: Successful Completion of Academic Level 5


Program Name: English Language Program
Full Name: Part-time Evening Program at The University of Winnipeg
Requirement/Score: Minimum C+ in Academic Writing Part 1 and 2


English Language Requirement - Waiver Options

In some instances, students may request a waiver of the English Language Requirement. An application for a waiver may be made to the Admissions Office. Students must provide supporting documentation to show they meet one of the conditions below.  The waiver options are also listed here:  English Language Requirement Policy [PDF].

1. Ten consecutive years of residency in Canada that may include years of study in Canada. The period of residency will be the time elapsed between the "Landed On" date on the Record of Landing Document and July 1 of the year of application, or

2. Three years of full-time education in English at secondary (high school) or post-secondary (university or college) levels in Canada, or

3. Graduation from a Manitoba high school with at least one Senior 4 Core English credit with a minimum grade of 70% (Comprehensive Focus, Literary Focus or Transactional Focus), or

4. Graduation from a Canadian high school with at least one Grade 12 English with a minimum grade of 70%, or

5. Graduation from a Canadian curriculum high school outside of Canada with at least one Grade 12 English with a minimum grade of 70% (students taking a New Brunswick curriculum are not included. You must present an IELTS test).   Please note:  Virtual high schools are not included in this waiver.  or

6. Achieved a minimum grade of four (B) on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level English course, or a minimum grade of three (B) on the Advanced Placement English examination (Language Composition; Literature and Composition), or

7. Fulfil conditions as listed above in 1 or 2, in an English Exempt Country (see list below). The University of Winnipeg reserves the right to request additional documentation which may include the submission of a standardized test of English.

English Exempt Countries

A - Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Austria

B - Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Belgium, Bermuda, Belize, Botswana, British Solomon Island, British West Indies

C - Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Island

D - Denmark, Dominica

E - England, Eire

F - Faroe Island, Falkland Islands, Fiji Islands, Finland

G - Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Gilbert & Ellice Islands, Grenada, Guam, Guyana

I - Ireland, Isle of Man

J - Jamaica

K - Kenya, Kiribati

L - Leeward Islands, Lesotho, Luxembourg

M - Malta, Malawi, Mauritius

N - Namibia, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Hebrides, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, Northern Ireland, Norway

P - Pitcairn Islands

S - Scotland, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland

T - Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands

U - Uganda, United Kingdom, United States of America

V – Virgin Islands (U.K. and U.S.A)

W – Wake-Midway Island, Wales, Windward Islands

Z – Zimbabwe, Zambia