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English Language Requirements
English Proficiency: Test of Facility in English
Applicants who meet one of the following criteria do not need to submit a test of facility in English:
- completed an IB diploma (completion of SL English B is not sufficient) or
- lived in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language for the most recent three years prior to beginning their university studies or
- attended an education institution full-time where the medium of instruction is English for the most recent three years prior to beginning their university studies
All other applicants must achieve a satisfactory score on one of the tests of facility in English listed below.
This test is a firm requirement and admission decisions cannot be made until an acceptable score has been reported. If you are in doubt about whether you meet our language requirements, submit an acceptable English language test score as soon as possible to avoid potential delays in the processing of your admission application.
Queen’s University reserves the right to request the result of an English language test from any applicant, at any time, when necessary.
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| Test | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
Score of 6.5 on Academic Module with no band below 6.0 Share your results with Queens University – Undergrad Admission through IELTS
|
|
iBT (Internet Based TOEFL)/88 overall: 24 Writing, 22 Speaking, 22 Reading, 20 Listening; Paper Based TOEFL (PBT)/580 (TBC) Share your results with Institution Code 0949 through TOEFL |
|
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) |
Overall band of 70 with no band below 60 Share your results with Queen’s University through CAEL |
| Queen’s School of English | High standing on 12-week English for Academic Purposes advanced level English courses. |
| Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) |
Overall score of 60 Share your results with Queen’s University through PTE |
| Duolingo English Test | Minimum score 110
The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour for only $49 USD. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample, which are shared with Queen's University when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session. Share your results with Queen’s University through Duolingo |
| Cambridge English |
175, with no component below 170 Share your results with Queen’s University through Cambridge |
Applicants who have been asked to submit English Language Proficiency results, and believe that this is not applicable to them, may make an appeal. For more information, see English Requirement Appeals Below.
We strongly advise you to complete your test and submit your scores to us well in advance of the published deadline. It may take several weeks from the time your test results are released until they reach Undergraduate Admission & Recruitment. The only acceptable way to submit your test results to Queen’s University is via the testing body.
English Language Proficiency test results are valid for a maximum period of two years prior to beginning studies at Queen's.
In order to match your results to your application, please ensure that you use the same information as your application for admission to Queen’s. This includes: first (given), surname (last/family name), date of birth, and gender. We are unable to match results received with differing information.
Queen's School of English
A variety of non-degree full-time study options for international students are available through Queen's School of English.
English Language Bridging Pathway - QBridge
QBridge is an English language pathway to Queen’s University for students who are academically competitive for admission to a Queen’s undergraduate degree program, but who do not meet the required admission standard for English language proficiency. The QBridge programs ensure that students are linguistically, academically, and culturally prepared to complete their Queen’s undergraduate degree studies.
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QBridge English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is for students who do not meet the requirements for QBridge Accelerated but are academically competitive for admission. Students accepted to Queen’s through QBridge pathway may be required to complete both the Fall and Winter terms of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program and to achieve the required standing in the program before progressing to their undergraduate degree studies in the following September). If a student has not reached the required standard in the Winter term, a third term of study may be taken in the Summer.
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QBridge Accelerated is an intensive eight-week summer course, for students with a certain minimum standardized English language test score. QBridge Accelerated is for students with higher standardized English language tests scores and is available as a pathway to ALL first-year degree programs. QBridge Accelerated is an intensive 8-week summer course starting in early July. Students must achieve at least a B grade in QBridge Accelerated to progress to their degree program in September of the same year.
Eligible Degree Programs: QBridge is available as a pathway to undergraduate degree programs in the Faculty of Arts and Science and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Applying for QBridge: Students applying to Queen’s through QBridge will be enrolled in English for Academic Purposes Program. Students are required to apply through the Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) using the following codes:
- Bachelor of Arts, OUAC Code: QXA
- Bachelor of Science, OUAC Code: QXS
- Bachelor of Engineering, OAUC Code: QXE
Find more information on QBridge, including language test score minimums required to qualify.
English for Academic Purposes Program
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is an intensive language program that prepares students for university or college studies in English. Students completing this 12-Week program may be eligible for the English proficiency exam waiver. If a high standing on a 12-Week EAP Advanced level English course completed at the School is achieved prior to your application, an English language test score may not be required for admission to undergraduate degree programs at Queen’s.
Students should notify Undergraduate Admission in writing that they have completed the course. Undergraduate Admission will contact Queen’s School of English on their behalf to determine if a waiver is appropriate, and will advise the student of the decision. Students should be prepared to write a test of facility in English within the published document deadlines (April 30) if a waiver is not granted.
English Experience Programs
Canadian Academic English Experience (CAEE): this 3 week program, offered in early spring or late summer, is a short-term English language program that focuses on developing speaking and listening skills using Canadian academic content. This program offers excellent preparation for further academic studies including the English for Academic Purposes program.
Canadian English Experience (CEE): this 3-4 week program, offered in winter and summer, is a short-term English program that provides students with an opportunity to learn English and to explore Canada. This student-centered immersion program focuses on developing speaking and listening skills using Canadian cultural and social content.
English Requirement Appeals
Applicants who have been asked to submit a test of facility in English and believe that this is not applicable to them may follow this process:
Contact us by email, indicating the school(s) that you have attended, the name and contact information of each school’s principal, including the length of time you attend the school. To support your claim, please arrange to have your school(s) send official documentation – such as a school profile, or a letter from the principal. The documentation must indicate that the medium of instruction at the school(s) is entirely in English.
After we receive this documentation, we will review it and inform you of our decision. If we determine that you still are required to provide an English facility test, you will have to submit an acceptable result by April 30th.
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