The language of instruction and examination at the University of Saskatchewan is English. In order for students to understand, communicate and be successful in programs at the university, an acceptable level of academic English is required. You may be asked to provide proof of English proficiency.

Joint admission

If you don't meet the requirements below, you can apply for joint admission to the English for Academic Purposes program at the USask Language Centre and undergraduate programs in any of our six direct-entry colleges: Agriculture and Bioresources, Arts and Science, Engineering, Education, Edwards School of Business or Kinesiology.

Proof of English proficiency

If you have been asked to provide proof of your English proficiency, you will need to show you have met one of the following standards:

  • At least 3 years of full-time study in an approved English-medium secondary program including Grades 10, 11, and 12, as well as successful completion of Grade 12 English Language Arts A30 or B30 (or equivalents). Students from overseas schools offering a Canadian education system curriculum in English require a minimum grade of 65% on their Grade 12 English course(s).
  • At least 2.5 years of full-time study in an approved English-medium secondary program including Grades 11 and 12, as well as successful completion of Grade 12 English Language Arts A30 or B30 (or equivalents) with minimum final grades of 70%
  • At least 2 years of full-time study in an approved English-medium secondary program including Grades 11 and 12, as well as successful completion of Grade 12 English Language Arts A30 or B30 (or equivalents) with minimum final grades of 80%

If completion of secondary standing occurred more than five years ago, additional proof of English proficiency may be required.

Saskatchewan Fransaskois and French Immersion Students: Students who attend grades 10, 11 and 12 at a Saskatchewan Fransaskois (or francophone) school or a Saskatchewan French immersion high school program and graduate with complete Grade 12 standing are not required to submit additional proof of English language proficiency.

Acceptable English language curricula

Students who have not followed one of these curricula will be required to provide another form of proof of English proficiency. This list will be updated annually as required.

  • Canadian English-medium schools
  • Overseas schools offering a Canadian education system curriculum in English
  • US regionally-accredited English medium schools
  • International Baccalaureate Programme
  • India - IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) only
  • GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) O (Ordinary) Level and GCE (General Certificate of Education) A (Advanced) Levels
  • NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority)
  • Australian State Curricula or Australian Curriculum
  • CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations)
  • SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority)
  • NQAI (National Qualifications Authority of Ireland)
  • WBQ (Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification)

  • Successful completion of at least one year of full-time study in a degree program from a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the official language of instruction and examination
  • Successful completion of a minimum two-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada where English is the official language of instruction and examination
  • Successful completion of a minimum three-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution outside of Canada where English is the official language of instruction and examination

NOTE: The post-secondary institution must declare English to be the only language of instruction and examination throughout the institution, not just in select departments. If post-secondary study occurred more than five years ago, additional proof of English proficiency may be required.

Test Minimum Score Required

IELTS (Academic)
International English Language Testing System
  • Overall Band Score: 6.5
    With minimum individual scores of
    • Reading: 6
    • Listening: 6
    • Speaking: 6
    • Writing: 6

TOEFL iBT
Test of English as a Foreign Language

Includes the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition

Institution code - 0980
  • Internet Based: 86
    With minimum individual scores of
    • Reading: 19
    • Listening: 19
    • Speaking: 19
    • Writing: 19

Cambridge C1 Advanced
  • Overall score of 176
CAEL 
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment
  • 70
    With minimum individual scores of
    • Reading: 60
    • Listening: 60
    • Speaking: 60
    • Writing: 60

Duolingo English Test (DET)
Test results valid for two years from test date
  • 110
    With minimum individual scores of:
    • Literacy: 95
    • Conversation: 95
    • Comprehension: 95
    • Production: 95

PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English Academic
  • Overall score of 63
    With minimum individual skills scores of
    • Reading: 59
    • Listening: 59
    • Speaking: 59
    • Writing: 59

University of Saskatchewan Language Centre

  • Successful completion of Level 4

English programs at USask

University of Regina

  • Successful completion of English as a Second Language (ESL 050)

Required score
Advanced Placement (AP) English 4 or better
International Baccalaureate (IB) English A1 or A2 Higher Level 5 or better
International Baccalaureate (IB) English B Higher Level 5 or better
GCSE/IGCSE/GCE O-Level English, English Language, or English as a Second Language B or better
GCE A/AS/AICE Level English or English Language B or better