Accepted tests and requirements
All UBC courses are taught in English, with the exception of some language and literature courses offered in the Faculty of Arts.
If your first language is not English, you must take one of the exams below (unless this requirement has been waived in UBC's exchange agreement with your university). Check with your university's exchange office for more information. Minimum scores must be achieved through a single sitting of the test. Tests taken more than two years before you apply for admission will not be considered.
Graduate programs
Many graduate programs at UBC require higher English language requirements than those listed below. If you are applying for graduate studies, please ensure that you meet the minimum requirements from the Faculty of Graduate and Post Doctoral Studies as well as the specific graduate program. Please check individual program websites to verify English language score requirements.
| Test: | Competency Level |
|---|---|
| CAEL or CAEL Online– Canadian Academic English Language assessment | Overall 70 |
Cambridge English Qualifications B2 First | 180 |
| CEL - UBC Certificate in English | 600 |
| IELTS - International English Language Testing System (Academic) | 6.5 with no part less than 6.0 |
| PTE - Pearson Test of English (Academic) | Overall score: 65 Reading: 60 Listening: 60 Writing: 60 Speaking: 60 |
| TOEFL or TOEFL iBt Home Edition - Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test | Overall score: 90 Reading: 22 Listening: 22 Writing: 21 Speaking: 21 |