Is TOEFL Accepted in Canada? Universities & Minimum Score: Complete Guide

Since the second half of the 20th century, Canada has welcomed thousands of international students yearly. The main reasons for this popularity is Canada’s high-quality post-secondary education, affordable tuition, and quality health care system.

International students must take a language proficiency exam to apply for Canadian study. TOEFL is one such English proficiency exam approved for employment and immigration purposes in Canada. It is accepted by more than 11,000 colleges and institutions in 150 countries. However, international students must prove their language proficiency to apply to the Canadian universities. 

Is TOEFL Accepted In Canada? Yes. Since TOEFL is accepted worldwide, Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognises it as a significant test for Canadian Student Visas and university admission.

Nearly 400 Canadian institutions and universities accept the TOEFL exam. In this blog, we will explore the best universities in Canada that accept TOEFL scores, and we’ll provide you with all the necessary information you need to know about the exam.

LATEST UPDATE FOR TOEFL 2023

ETS has announced several new updates for the TOEFL exam. TOEFL has now been shortened to 2 hours, and also includes a new format. ETS has also announced new developments including a smoother registration process and announcements of results. These developments are to come into effect starting July 26th, 2023.

• TOEFL is being accepted for Canada SDS applications from August 10th, 2023.

Is TOEFL Accepted In Canada ?

TOEFL is a three-hour-long English proficiency test designed to examine speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. It is organised by Educational Testing Service (ETS) trademark, widely accepted for work, study, and immigration purposes. TOEFL can be conducted online via the Internet-based test (IBT).

As an international student intending to study in Canada, you need to take TOEFL and qualify the minimum score requirements based on the program and the university.

The below list provides details of the importance of the TOEFL exam for international students to gain eligibility for studying in Canada. They are as follows –

• Preferred Test: More than eight out of ten graduate programs in Canada prefer TOEFL iBT over other tests. TOEFL iBT is the most popular test for sending scores to Canadian universities.
• Worldwide acceptance: The TOEFL iBT is an excellent way to prove that you have sufficient English skills for admission to a university or college.
• Thousands of institutions globally accept it, so you can show off your skills in a way that’s likely to attract the attention of those making admissions decisions.
• Exam as per convenience: The TOEFL iBT can be taken at test centres worldwide, with streamlined safety and health regulations, or from the comfort of your own home. Further, paper-based versions of the test are also available in some regions.

With the knowledge gained on how these exam scores are essential, one can further learn about the top-ranked colleges and universities that accept TOEFL scores .

What is the Minimum TOEFL Score for Canadian Universities?

The minimum TOEFL score requirement for Canadian universities solely depends on the institution and the program you are applying to.

Generally, Canadian universities require a minimum TOEFL score of 80 to 100 on the internet-based test (iBT) for undergraduate programs and a minimum score of 90 to 100 on iBT for post-graduate programs.

Universities may have higher or lower requirements, and some programs may have specific requirements for certain sections of the test (e.g., writing, reading, speaking, and listening).

Some universities don’t require English proficiency and consider only academic proficiency as a criterion. Universities in Canada also accept other English proficiency tests, such as the IELTS or the Pearson Test of English (PTE), instead of the TOEFL.

Therefore, it’s always safe to check the specific requirements of the university and course you are interested in, as they may have different needs than the general guidelines mentioned above.

Best TOEFL Accepted Universities in Canada

As mentioned above, more than 400 institutions and universities in Canada accept the TOEFL exam as proof of language proficiency. Let’s explore some of Canada’s best TOEFL-accepted universities, known for their academic excellence, state-of-the-art facilities, and student-friendly atmosphere.

The institutions mentioned below are highly reputed and offer a wide range of programs in various fields of study, making them the ideal destinations for ambitious students pursuing their academic and professional goals in Canada.

University Name	TOEFL Score for Undergraduates	TOEFL Scores for Graduates
McGill University	Cutoff score- 79 to 100 Sectional score– Not available	Cutoff score– 86 Sectional score– 20 in each section
McMaster University	Cutoff score– 86 Sectional score– 20 in every section	Cutoff score– 92 Sectional score– 20 in every section
University of Calgary	Cutoff score– 80 to 108 Sectional score– 0 to 27 based on the major	Cutoff score- Depending on major Sectional Score– Depending on major
Western University	Cutoff score– 83 Sectional score– 20 in each section	Cutoff score– Minimum 86 Sectional score– 20 in each section
Queen’s University	Cutoff score– 88 Sectional score– 24 in Writing, 22 each in Reading and Speaking, 20 in Listening	Cutoff score– 88 Sectional Score– 24 in Writing, 22 each in Reading and Speaking, 20 in Listening
University of Ottawa	Cutoff score– 86 to 96 depending on the major Sectional score– 22 to 24 in Writing and 0 to 27 in other sections depending on the major	Cutoff score– 100 for most programs Sectional Score– Not available
University of Waterloo	Cutoff score– 90 Sectional score– 25 in Writing and speaking	Cutoff score– 80 minimum and 90 in alternative Sectional Score– 25 in Writing and Speaking
Ryerson University	Cutoff score– 83 to 92 Sectional score– Depending on major	Cutoff score– 93 to 105 Sectional Score– Not available
Dalhousie University	Cutoff score– 90 Sectional score– 34 in Writing	Cutoff score– 90 and above Sectional score– 20 in each section
Victoria University	Cutoff score– 90 Sectional score– 20 in each section	Cutoff score– 90 Sectional score– 20 in each section
Simon Fraser University	Cutoff score– 86 Sectional score– 20 in each section	Cutoff score– 90 Sectional score– 20 in each section
Carleton University	Cutoff score– 86 Sectional score– 22 in Writing and Speaking, 20 in Reading and Listening	Cutoff score– 86 Sectional Score– 22 in Writing and Speaking, 20 in Reading and Listening

 More than 80% of graduate programs in Canada prefer the TOEFL iBT test over other tests. 

TOEFL Scores Accepted By Canadian Universities for Various Course Programs

Is TOEFL accepted in Canada for all courses? Most of the graduate programs in Canada prefer the TOEFL iBT test, making it the most popular language assessment tool. The table below displays some specific TOEFL cutoff scores accepted for various course programs by some of the top-ranked Canadian universities.

University Name	TOEFL Course Specific Cutoff Scores
University of Toronto	MS – 93 to 107 MBA/PGDM – 93 to 100 MIM – 93 to 110 ME or MTech – 93 and above BE or BTech – 100 and above BBA – 100 and above BSc – 100 and above MA – 93 to 100
The University of British Columbia	MS – 90 to 100 ME or MTech – 90 to 100.0 BE or BTech – 90 and above MA – 100 and above MASc – 90 to 100 BSc – 90 and above
University of Alberta	ME or MTech – 88 to 92 MEM – 90 and above MS – 88 to 92 BSc – 90 and above BBA – 90 and above BE or BTech – 90 and above MA – 95 and above
York University	MBA or PGDM – 100 and above MIM – 88 to 100 BBA – 79 to 90 MASc – 90 and above MA – 100 and above BE or BTech – 83 to 88
Memorial University of Newfoundland	BE or BTech (15 Courses) – 79 to 90.0 BSc – 79 and above BBA – 79 and above MA – 80 and above MS – 80 and above ME or MTech – 80 and above MIM – 80 to 92
University of Windsor	MA – 83 to 100 ME or MTech – 92 and above MBA or PGDM – 100 and above MS – 83 to 92 BE or BTech – 83 and above MEM – 100 and above MASc – 83 and above BSc – 83 and above MIM – 83 and above BBA – 83 and above

Didn’t Get the Ideal TOEFL Score? Here are Alternatives!

If you didn’t get your desired TOEFL score, don’t worry. There are many alternative options available for international students seeking admission to universities and colleges where English is the language of instruction.

Take an alternative English language proficiency exam:  Canadian universities accept other language proficiency exams, like Duolingo, IELTS, Cambridge English Qualifications, and the Pearson Test of English (PTE). You can try taking any of these exams instead of TOEFL to demonstrate your English language proficiency.

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You can retake the TOEFL exam: You can retake the TOEFL test as many times as you like. The only thing you should remember is that you can take the re-test only after three days after your previous test. And, another rule is that you can only take the test once in twelve days.

There are no restrictions on the number of times you can attempt to write TOEFL. Tests are conducted more than 60 times a year at the authorised test centres worldwide.

Apply to a university that does not require an English language exam: Most of the universities in Canada require international students to provide proof of English language proficiency, typically through standardised tests. However, a few universities in Canada don’t need the TOEFL or IELTS for admission, like the University of Winnipeg, Brock University and many more.

Tips for scoring well in the TOEFL Exam test

Scoring well on the TOEFL exam can open up opportunities. Here are some exclusive tips to help you prepare for and excel in the TOEFL exam:

1. Familiarise yourself with the test format: The TOEFL exam comprises of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Get accustomed to the pattern of each section, the question types and the time allotted for each team.
2. Improve your language: To do well on the TOEFL exam, you need to have a good command of the English language. Read more authentic materials, watch English movies and series with subtitles and listen to podcasts in English-language media. Practice speaking and writing in English as much as possible.
3. Take practice tests regularly: Only practice can build your confidence for the exam day. Take timed practice tests, analyse your answers, identify your mistakes and keep working on them.
4. Scale-up your vocabulary: Strong vocabulary is essential for doing well on the TOEFL exam. Read widely, make flashcards of new words, memorize words with their meanings, understand their usage and practice using them in context.
5. Develop your test-taking strategies: Many strategies can help you do well on the TOEFL exam, such as skimming and scanning passages to identify critical information.

Is TOEFL accepted in Canada? On an ending note, yes, TOEFL is definitely accepted in Canada, and one’s desired university determines different requirements.

Want to know more about the exam and other ways to get into top universities in Canada?  LeapScholar is proud to have a highly qualified team of counsellors with 50+ years of combined experience in helping students study abroad. Ready to take the Leap? Book a free counselling session right now!

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