Do I also need to provide a medium of instruction certificate for my BSc Computer Science degree in Canada?
It depends on your purpose. If your BSc was taught in English outside Canada, universities may request an MOI certificate to waive IELTS or TOEFL, though this is not automatic. For Express Entry or work permits, IRCC rarely accepts an MOI certificate instead of an approved language test.
Whether you need a Medium of Instruction certificate depends on exactly what you are applying for, so do not assume one blanket answer covers university admissions, immigration, and credential evaluation all at once. Your BSc Computer Science degree may need one in some contexts and not at all in others.
When You Do and Do Not Need an MOI Certificate
| Purpose | MOI Certificate Needed? |
|---|---|
| Master's admission, BSc taught in English abroad | Often, if transcripts do not state the language clearly |
| Master's admission, BSc completed in Canada | No, Canadian DLI degrees already meet requirements |
| Express Entry, work permits, PR (IRCC) | No, an approved language test is still required |
| Credential evaluation (WES, ICAS) | Usually not, unless language of instruction is unclear |
What to Do Next
- Check your target Canadian university's admissions page specifically for its English Language Proficiency Waiver policy.
- Contact your former university's registrar to request an MOI certificate if your transcript does not explicitly confirm English instruction.
- Still book an approved language test like IELTS General or CELPIP if your goal is Express Entry or a work permit, since IRCC rarely waives this.
My Advice
Request your MOI certificate now while you still have easy access to your former university's registrar, since it becomes harder to obtain years later. But do not rely on it for immigration purposes, since IRCC will still expect an official IELTS General or CELPIP score for Express Entry.
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