IELTS Band Requirement for the University of Toronto

IELTS for the University of Toronto

The minimum IELTS band requirement for the University of Toronto is 6.5. You also need to score 6.0 or higher on each IELTS section (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) to be considered for admission.

The University of Toronto requires students to take the Academic version of the IELTS test. They do not accept the General Training version nor the IELTS indicator test.

Example test scores:

IELTS Requirement for the University of Toronto

In the above examples, both students received the same overall IELTS band score of 6.5, which is the minimum IELTS band requirement for the University of Toronto. However, since student 1 received a 5.5 in writing, their application was rejected for not meeting the 6.0 band requirement for each section.

These IELTS requirements are the same for all three University of Toronto campuses: St. George, Mississauga, and Scarborough. However, please note that some specialty programs/majors will require higher IELTS band scores for admission. The above numbers are for standard enrollment into the school.

Special IELTS Requirements

Although the minimum requirement for entry is 6.5, with no section being lower than 6.0, there are still some programs within the University of Toronto that require higher than the standard enrollment requirements.

For example, all Master’s & Ph.D. programs at the University of Toronto require a minimum IELTS band score of 7.0, with no section (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) being under a 6.5.

If you are interested in applying for a specialty program, please check the program requirements on the University’s website. This will provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information about your specific program. Most programs will follow the overall 6.5 requirement rule unless otherwise stated on the program’s website. If you are unsure of your specific program’s requirements, please contact the University of Toronto with your questions.

Note: If you have already applied to the University, you will have access to more direct contact methods via your student account.

Do I need to take the IELTS for admission?

If English is not your first language, then yes, most likely. If English is not the first language you learned at home when you were a child, then you need to prove to the University that your English language proficiency is high enough to attend and understand University level courses. The IELTS test is a popular way to do that.

However, there are some exceptions that may exempt you from having to take the test at all. These include any of the following:

You completed 4 years of full-time high school study at a recognized Canadian secondary school. The language of instruction must have been English.
You completed 4 years of full-time high school study at an English-speaking school that is located in a country where English is the dominant language. The language of instruction must have been English.
Your first language is French and you completed 4 years of full-time high school study at a recognized Canadian secondary school.

If you fall under any of these three exemptions, you will not have to complete the IELTS test for admission to the University of Toronto. You can fill out their “English Language Test Exemption Request Form” to apply for this exemption. This form can be found on the JOIN UofT website AFTER you have already applied and received an admission email from the school.

How do I submit my IELTS results to the University of Toronto?

The University of Toronto only accepts electronic test results. They will not accept any results that are mailed or delivered in person. To send your IELTS results electronically, you need to contact your official IELTS testing center (the location where you took the test) and have them send a copy of your results to the University via the IELTS Results Service.

The testing centers will require the following information:

IELTS Results Service Account name: University of Toronto – Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
IELTS Results Service Account address: 172 St. George St., Toronto ON M5R 0A3
The University of Toronto (Undergraduate and Graduate programs) is an IELTS “STED RO”.

Some centers may require this information BEFORE you take the test, usually during the signup process. If you are unsure of when or how to request electronic delivery of your test results to the University of Toronto, please contact your local test center for more information.

You do not need to notify the University of your electronic submission. The test center will do this for you.

Can I prove my English proficiency without taking the IELTS test?

Yes! If you meet all academic requirements for enrollment into the University of Toronto except the English language requirement, then you may qualify for one of the University’s English Language Transition Programs.

These programs are designed to build students’ English proficiency and prepare them for post-secondary studies in English. Successful completion of any of these programs will provide students with their English Language Requirement for enrollment and replace any English tests like the IELTS. These programs range in length from 6 weeks up to 8 months. Most students prefer the standardized test route – such as taking the IELTS test.

Note: These programs do not guarantee admission into the University of Toronto, they only help you meet the University’s language requirement.

How do I prepare for the IELTS test to get into the University of Toronto?

There are many ways to prepare for the IELTS test – and the method that is best for you will depend on your current English level in writing, reading, speaking, and listening.

1. Self-Study

Self-studying is a common choice for students who already have a strong foundation in English; however, even those with advanced English proficiency have difficulties assessing their own writing and speaking skills. It is best to have a native speaker and/or IELTS expert help you in those categories.

2. Practice Tests

Practice tests offer students the opportunity to attempt real test questions and get a feel for how they would fare on the real test. Cambridge Assessment English (one of the test developers and administrators) offers official IELTS practice test books that can be purchased here.

Another option is to take online practice tests. There are plenty of free and paid tests that you can find online, but make sure you find a reputable provider that offers tests created by IELTS examiners and/or trained experts – such as the online IELTS mock test we offer to our students.

3. IELTS Courses

Lastly, IELTS courses are another popular option for students looking to study for the test. Reputable courses will offer you an all-in-one study guide to help you prepare for the test and reduce the amount of time spent looking online for good study materials. It’s an added bonus if the course provides you with feedback from native-speaking IELTS teachers.

If a 100% online, self-paced, IELTS course with personalized feedback from native-speaking IELTS teachers sounds like something you would be interested in, Northern Academy offers just that. Our IELTS Fluency program comes with 50+ hours of IELTS teacher-led videos, 100+ professional handouts that help you with all sections of the IELTS, dozens of practice tests, and personalized feedback from Canadian IELTS teachers.

University of Toronto English and IELTS Requirements

Final Thoughts

For more information on our IELTS courses and how we can help you achieve your required band score, please view our IELTS course page or contact us directly.

We look forward to helping you get into your dream Canadian University!