English Language Proficiency Requirements

Update: English language proficiency requirements have recentlychanged.

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:

• 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:

1. Successful completion of one of the below language tests with the required minimum scores
2. Successful completion of Lakehead University’s Academic English Program
3. Successful completion of one of our approved Pathway Partner’s ESL programs
4. 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.

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