English Language Proficiency
Language requirements
English is the language of instruction and examination at the University of Toronto. The Institute of Biomedical Engineering requires a high level of English language proficiency, and you will need to provide proof of your English proficiency if:
- English is not your first language (i.e., is not the first language you learned at home as a child); or
- You have not completed at least four years of full-time study at a recognized Canadian school that teaches in English; or
- You have not completed at least four years of full-time study in an English-language school located in a country where the dominant language is English; or
- Your first language is not French, and you have not completed four or more years of full-time studies at a recognized Canadian school.
Accepted tests and minimum scores required
The English test must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of application submission to be recognized as valid proof of English proficiency. Applicants must arrange for their score to be reported electronically to the University of Toronto by the testing agency. The institution code for U of T is 0982-00 (There is no need to specify a department).
| Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (or TOEFL iBT Home Edition) | Paper-based 580 (TWE:5) or Internet-based 93 (writing/speaking:22) |
| IELTS | 7.0 (Academic) and > 6.5 in each component |
| COPE | 76 (with > 22 in each component and 32 in the writing component) |
| CAEL | 70 minimum total with at least 60 in each component |
| Academic Prep. Course | Final grade of B in Level 60 |
[Note 1] We do not accept the TOEFL ITP or TOEFL ITP Plus For China
[Note 2] We do not accept the IELTS Indicator Test
Test exemptions
Professional program (MEng) exemptions
All applicants from universities outside Canada where English is not the sole language of instruction must provide the results of an English language test.
- None (i.e., no exemptions available)
Research Program (MASc or PhD) exemptions
Applicants to the Biomedical Engineering research program(s) may be eligible for a language-test exemption if they meet all the following conditions:
- Obtained their admitting degree from an institute recognized by the University of Toronto and where the language of instruction and examination is uniformly English; and
- Received special permission from the hosting research supervisor, who is a faculty member at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering, is able to provide a written statement attesting to their satisfaction with the applicant’s English proficiency, and requests an English-test exemption on behalf of the applicant. The statement must be received from the sponsoring supervisor as a signed hardcopy document or as an email to the Biomedical Engineering Graduate Office from the faculty member.