What IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores do I need for a vocational course in Canada?
Scores vary by college. For Canadian vocational certificates and diplomas, colleges commonly look for IELTS Academic 6.0 overall, PTE around 58 and Duolingo around 105 to 110, though George Brown lists PTE 54. Graduate certificates usually ask for IELTS 6.5, PTE around 60 and Duolingo 120 to 125.
Colleges usually ask for IELTS Academic 6.0 overall for certificates and diplomas and 6.5 overall for graduate certificates, with PTE and Duolingo equivalents in the table below. These are commonly accepted scores, not fixed rules for every college. Some healthcare, education and communication programmes may ask for more.
Commonly accepted English scores
| Test | Certificates and diplomas | Graduate certificates |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| PTE | Around 58 | Around 60 |
| Duolingo English Test | Around 105 to 110 | Around 120 to 125 |
| CAEL | Around 60 | 70 |
Other points to know
- Students whose earlier education does not meet the college's exemption criteria usually need to submit a score.
- Scores vary by college; for example, George Brown lists PTE 54 for some programmes.
- Many colleges also accept TOEFL or other approved qualifications.
- Always check the programme page, since requirements vary between colleges and courses.
My Advice
Aim a little above the listed minimum so a weaker band does not hold you back, and check your target programme page for its exact rule before you book a test.
Low percentage, study gap or no work experience?
Find out which Canadian universities you still qualify for.
More Universities & admissions questions
- When are the spring and fall application deadlines for South Korean universities that I should plan for?
- How much would I pay in first-year tuition for the International MBA program at York University, Toronto?
- What are some effective online German language classes for Indian students preparing to study in Germany?
- By when should my HEP point be completed, should it be this month to avoid delay in UK?
- If I apply to two courses at the same university, do I need separate letters of recommendation for each course or can I use the same letter for both?
- What are the chances of getting a conditional offer letter requiring IELTS even if I have a good 12th standard score?
- Is January 2027 intake possible for masters in business analytics in UK/UAE?
- Which universities in the USA offer MS Engineering Management for a B.Tech Automotive Engineering graduate, Duolingo 120 and ₹80 lakhs budget?
More Canada questions
- What is the lowest undergraduate tuition fee I can expect to pay at a Canadian university for the 2026 academic year?
- Other than Canada and Netherlands, are there better countries to study science and technology in Germany/Singapore?
- Which master's course suits a Supply Chain Management graduate planning to study in Canada?
- What are the options for pursuing a master's in psychology or clinical psychology given my bachelor's background in biology in Australia/Canada?
- Will there be any problems if I do my studies offline abroad given the education structure is different from India in Ireland/Canada?
- What should I do to improve my chances of going to Canada as a teacher?
- Which Sociology master's options in Canada suit a Sociology graduate with IELTS 7.5 for the January 2027 intake?
- What is the minimum budget required for studying abroad in Canada or Ireland for two years?