English Proficiency Requirement

Only applicants who already have or are going to receive a degree from any of the following countries are exempt from the English Proficiency requirement: Australia, Botswana, Canada, Ireland, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa, Nigeria, United Kingdom, and USA.

Applicants who have not and do not expect to receive a degree from the above named countries are required to fulfill the English Proficiency requirement by providing their results on the Test of English Proficiency.  Applicants are required to:

a.  enter their test scores;
b.  upload a PDF copy of the test scores at the time of application; and,
c.  arrange to send the electronic submission of scores to UBC by December 15.

NOTE: GRE is not required.

The test must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of the application. Applicants should arrange to take the test well in advance in order for UBC to receive the test scores by December 15. An offer of admission will NOT be given unless this requirement is met.

Submission of Test Results

TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. We accept electronic delivery directly from the test centre to UBC only. For all other tests, an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Applicants are encouraged to upload their test results so that their application can be reviewed immediately, rather than waiting for the official report.

Language Requirements

• TOEFL iBT scores of at least 100.  (Institution Code: 0965).
• International English Language Testing Service (IELTS)
  A minimum overall band score of 7.0 is required, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component of the academic (NOT general) IELTS test. Please follow the steps on the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website (click on the IELTS tab) about score submission, so that we can receive your IELTS score electronically. 
• Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) 
  A minimum overall MELAB score of 85 is required.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
  A minimum overall score of 71-72 on the PTE Academic (NOT General) test is required.
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL)
  A minimum overall score of 70 is required with 60 on the speaking sub-test.

TOEFL and IELTS test takers can request electronic submission of scores to universities. For all other tests, an official paper test score report ordered from the testing agency is required. Photocopies of test scores are not acceptable.

• Test results are valid for 24 months from the date on which the test was taken. 
• TOEFL myBest scores are not accepted for admission at the Vancouver Campus, graduate or undergraduate level. Minimum scores must be achieved in a single sitting of the test (i.e., scores across multiple tests may not be used to satisfy minimum component requirements)
• Only electronic scores are accepted for admission

NOTE:  GRE is not required.

FAQs