English Language Proficiency Requirements
UPDATE: English language proficiency requirements have recently changed.
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate they can cope with the language demands of an English language university.
Applicants to an undergraduate program at Lakehead University may meet our English language requirements by completing a certain number of years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction:
Level of Study: | Number of Full Time Years: |
University Level | One year of full-time undergraduate/graduate-level study at a university where English is the language of instruction in a country where English is the official language. |
College Level | Two years of full-time diploma level study at a college where English is the language of instruction in a country where English is the official language. |
High School Level | Three years of full-time study at a high school where English is the language of instruction. English does not need to be the official language of the country. |
Applicants whose native language is not English, and who cannot verify having recently studied in an English language school system as outlined above, will be required to present proof of English language proficiency.
Lakehead University accepts the following as proof of English language proficiency:
- Successful completion of one of the below language tests with the required minimum scores
- Successful completion of Lakehead University’s Academic English Program
- Successful completion of one of our approved Pathway Partner’s ESL programs
- Successful completion of Senior Level English courses
1. Language Tests:
To satisfy Lakehead University's English language proficiency requirements, applicants can complete one of the following recognized language tests with the required minimum scores. You can also complete the IELTS test at Lakehead University. For more information, click here.
For All Regular Undergraduate Programs*
*Except For Nursing, Juris Doctor and the two year Bachelor of Education Programs.
Recognized English Proficiency Test | Minimum Score |
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) or CAEL CE (Computer Edition) or CAEL Online | Minimum Score: 60 |
Cambridge Academic English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
Applicants must provide us with their Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number. Email them to intl.admission@lakeheadu.ca. | Minimum Score: 176 (no individual score less than 169) |
DuoLingo English Test | Minimum Score: 110 |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Applicants must complete the Academic test, not the General test. IELTS Online tests are accepted. Applicants must upload a copy of their test results including TRF number to their student portal, for verification. We do not require results to be sent through IELTS test centres. | Minimum Score: 6.5 (no individual score less than 6.0) |
Michigan English Test (MET) | Minimum Score: 85 |
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Minimum Score: 58 (no component score less than 50) |
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Lakehead University Institution's Code is 0888.
| Minimum Score for Internet Based Test (iBT): 80 (no component score less than 19)
Minimum Score for Computer Based Test (cBT): 213 (no component score less than 17)
Minimum Score for Paper Based Test (pBT) when Speaking is present: 550 (no component score less than 50) The revised pBT is not accepted as Speaking is no longer a category! |
For Nursing, Juris Doctor and the Two-Year Bachelor of Education Programs
Recognized English Proficiency Test | Minimum Score |
Cambridge Academic English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
Applicants must provide us with their Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number. Email them to intl.admission@lakeheadu.ca. | Minimum Overall Score: 185
Listening: 176 Reading & Use of English: 176 Speaking: 185 Writing: 185 |
DuoLingo English Test | Minimum Score: 120 |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Applicants must complete the Academic test, not the General test. | Minimum Overall Score: 7
Listening: 6.5 Reading: 6.5 Speaking: 7 Writing: 7 |
Michigan English Test (MET) | Minimum Overall Score: 90 |
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) | Minimum Overall Score: 65
Listening: 58 Reading: 58 Speaking: 65 Writing: 65 |
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test (iBT)
Lakehead University Institution's Code is 0888.
| Minimum Overall Score: 103
Listening: 24 Reading: 24 Speaking: 28 Writing: 28 |
Please be advised that some academic units may require a higher score and that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to Lakehead University.
2. Lakehead University Academic English Program:
Applicants will automatically be considered for admission through Lakehead University's Academic English Program if they meet Lakehead University's admission requirements but do not meet English language proficiency requirements. Applicants who complete Lakehead University's Academic English Program will meet the English language proficiency requirement for programs that require an IELTS score of 6.5 (no minimum score less than 6.0) or a TOEFL score of 80 (no minimum score less than 19). As a result, applicants interested in the: Nursing programs, Juris Doctor program, One-Year Social Work program, or the Two-Year Bachelor of Education program will need to successfully complete one of the recognized tests with the appropriate minimum scores as outlined in Option 1.
Check here for more information on Lakehead University’s Academic English Program.
3. Approved Pathway Programs:
For a list of Lakehead University's approved pathway partners, please contact Lakehead University International at (807) 346-7848.
4. Completion of Senior Level English Courses:
For all undergraduate programs excluding limited enrolment programs, Lakehead University will accept certain senior-level English courses at the high school level:
Ontario high school’s Grade 12 university-level English (ENG4U): 70%
Any other provincial Grade 12 academic level English course that is equivalent to ENG4U: 70%
International Baccalaureate Programme: 3
Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL) English A: Literature; HL or SL English A: Language and Literature
British Patterned Curriculum: C
- Ordinary Level English Language
- Advanced Subsidiary Level Literature in English and English Language and Language and Literature and English as a Second Language
- Advanced Level Literature in English and English Language and English as a Second Language