Language Requirements

Requirements for International Applicants

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting one of the following documents:

1. An official transcript showing successful completion of a recognized degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 3* years of full time instruction in English from an exempted country (listed below).
   * 2 years if the degree was part of a 2+2 exchange program, completed in Canada.
2. An official transcript showing successful completion of a recognized graduate degree from an accredited institution from an exempted country (listed below).
3. An official transcript showing successful completion of a recognized degree from an accredited institution, from a country not on the exemption list below, with a minimum of 3 years of full time instruction in which the language of instruction for the program is solely English.  In this case a certified letter, from the Registrar or equivalent university official, verifying English is the sole language of instruction for the program is also required.
4. An official score report for one of the following English Language Proficiency Tests.  The minimum standards for admission to the University are listed below.  The following programs have requirements greater than those listed below (see the individual graduate program descriptions for details): Master of Applied Economics, Master of Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation, MBA, PhD Business Administration (Management), MA and PhD IDS, and PhD Applied Science.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Note: 0958 is the appropriate TOEFL code for Saint Mary's University
  - minimum 550 on paper-based
  - minimum iBT 83, with no band below 20
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – minimum 6.5 with no individual score below 6.0
• Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency  – minimum 176 with no individual score below 169
• CanTEST – minimum 4.5 with no individual score below 4.0
• Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) – minimum 60 with no individual band below 50
• Pearson PTE score of 60 (no sub-score less than 50)
• Pearson PTE: MTEI, MBA, PhD Business Administration, MA and PhD Global Development Studies, and PhD Applied Science programs.
  • Minimum score of 66 (no sub-score less than 60)
• Duolingo English Test (DET) 
  • Minimum score of 125 (no sub-score less than 105)
• Duolingo English Test (DET): MTEI, MBA, PhD Business Administration, MA and PhD Global Development Studies, and PhD Applied Science programs.
  • Minimum score of 130 (no sub-score less than 110)

Click here for a list of the Minimum acceptable IELTS and TOEFL scores listed by program.

In exceptional circumstances, the Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research reserves the right to request an official English Language Proficiency Test.

Please ensure that you upload the test taker copy of your language score so that it can be validated by our team.  Scores older than two years are not acceptable.  All scores must be from one exam date, not to be combined with other exam dates.

PLEASE NOTE:  University English Preparation courses from another institution are not acceptable proof of language ability and will not satisfy the University’s English language proficiency requirement for admission.

Exempted Countries Include:  Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland,  Pacific Islands (American Samoa, Baker Island, Chatham Islands, Cook Islands, Line Islands, Marianas Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Solomon Islands), Panama Canal Zone, Republic of Ireland, Ryukyu Islands, Scotland, Seychelles, Singapore, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, Uganda, United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe.