English language proficiency requirements

If your primary language is not English, you must demonstrate your proficiency in the use of the English language by meeting any of the options listed below.

The information in this section applies to students entering most undergraduate programs of study, except for the Faculty of Law and International Dentist Degree Program (IDDP), which have their own acceptable tests and minimum required scores. Please refer to the applicant information bulletin for program specific admission requirements.

If you are applying for admission to a graduate program, please check your program for information on each program’s English language proficiency requirements.

Results for language tests expire two years from the test date and must be valid at the beginning of your admission term. Please confirm the validity of your test results.

Test options

IAEP (Intensive Academic English Program)

• Minimum score required: Pass Level 5/AEPUCE (Academic English Program for University and College Entrance)

IELTS (Academic - computer or paper) or IELTS Indicator (International English Language Testing System)

• Minimum score required: 6.5 overall
• Minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four modules (listening, reading, speaking, writing)
• IELTS One Skill Retake results are accepted by the Undergraduate Admissions Office, University of Manitoba

CAEL (Canadian Academic English Assessment) - Online or Test Centre

• Minimum score required: 60

TOEFL iBT or TOEFL iBT Paper Edition or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

•  Minimum score required: 
  • Minimum overall score of 86, and
  • Minimum component scores:
    • 20 in Reading
    • 20 in Writing
    • 20 in Listening
    • 20 in Speaking

Cambridge Assessment English: C1 Advanced

• Minimum score required: 180

Cambridge Assessment English: C2 Proficiency

• Minimum score required: 180

Pearson Test of English

• Minimum score required: 58

Duolingo English Test^*

• Minimum overall score of 120, and
• Minimum component scores:
  • 105 in Literacy 
  • 105 in Comprehension 
  • 105 in Production 
  • 105 in Conversation 

* Test not accepted for Faculty of Law or IDDP program

Under certain circumstances you may request a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement. You will need to provide supporting documentation to show that you meet one of the following conditions to receive the waiver:

1. Ten consecutive years of residency in Canada that may include years of study in Canada. The period of residency will be the time lapsed between the "Landed On" date on the "Record of Landing" document and the start of the program.
2. Successful completion of a three-year secondary school program in Canada, or three years of recognized post-secondary education in Canada, or any combination of three successful calendar years of secondary and recognized post-secondary education in Canada.
   • Successful completion of secondary studies equates to meeting the entrance requirements of the University of Manitoba. Secondary education must include Grade 12 where appropriate and completion of five course credits per year. The three years of secondary study must be completed immediately prior to attending the University of Manitoba.
   • Successful completion of recognized post-secondary education equates to a minimum completion of 72 credit hours or equivalent. The three years of post-secondary study must be completed within two years of attending the University of Manitoba.
3. Graduation from a Manitoba high school, with five credits at the Grade 12 level, which includes one full credit of English at the 40S level with a minimum grade of 75% (or the equivalent from other provinces in Canada).
4. Graduation from a Canadian curriculum secondary school (other than Manitoba curriculum) with a year 12 English literature grade of 75% or higher.
5. Achievement of a grade of four or greater on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level English course, or a grade of four or greater on the Advanced Placement English examination (Language Composition; Literature and Composition).
6. Successful completion of thirty (30) credit hours of university level coursework and six credit hours of transferrable English courses at the 1000 level or higher with a minimum grade of B at a recognized university where English is the primary language of instruction, in a country where English is the primary language (see approved country exemption list). University level study must be completed immediately prior to attending the University of Manitoba.
7. Graduation from a degree program at a recognized university where English is the primary language of instruction, in a country where English is the primary language (see approved country exemption list). Graduation from the qualifying institution must be within two years of attending the University of Manitoba.
8. Successful completion of the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) with a minimum grade of B in English (non-ESL) at the GCSE/IGCSE O Level, AS Level, or A-Level.
9. Completion of the Indian Senior School Certificate (ISSC) or the Indian School Certificate (ISC) awarded by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) or the Council for the Indian School Certificate (CISC) with a minimum grade of 75% in the senior English subject.

Additionally, applicants will receive the waiver if they verify conditions equivalent to 1, 2 or 3 listed above in a country where English is the primary language.

Students from the following countries are exempt from the English language proficiency requirements.