English Language Proficiency Requirements
English is the exclusive and official language of instruction and examination at University of Niagara Falls Canada (UNF).
While some of our student support services will be able to communicate in additional languages, success in our undergraduate and graduate programs require a high level of English language proficiency. To help you succeed, we have outlined a series of opportunities to showcase your English proficiency.
How do I know if I need to prove English proficiency at UNF?
Applicants whose first language is not English, or who have received their education in a language other than English, must provide evidence of English language proficiency at a university level by achieving one of the following minimum score in an approved test. Dependent on the test option you select, all results are to be shared as part of your application package.
What English proficiency tests does UNF accept?
UNF accepts scores for Academic IELTS, CAEL, Cambridge Test 3, Duolingo, Michigan English Assessment, Password Skills Plus, Oxford, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT.
What tests or qualification provide English Proficiency?
| Test | Minimum Score for Admission |
| Academic IELTS IELTS Indicator | 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in the writing band |
| CAEL | 70 overall with minimum of 60 in each subset. For information visit: www.cael.ca. |
| Cambridge Test 3 | 176 overall |
| Duolingo* | 125 overall with no individual component below 115 |
| LanguageCert | Overall score of 70-74, with a minimum of 65 in the writing skill component. |
| Michigan English Test | 62+ overall with no individual component below 57 |
| Oxford International Digital Institute (OIDI) | 7 overall with no individual component below 6 |
| Password Skills Plus | 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in the writing band |
| PTE Academic | 61 overall with minimum score of 60 in writing |
| TOEFL iBT | At Home Test – 88 overall with minimum of 20 in each component Paper Edition – 570 minimum score |
Language Proficiency Exemptions
You may qualify for an exemption if you have studied in English in any of the following countries and meet the below criteria:
Criteria for Language Proficiency Exemptions:
- Secondary school applicants will be required to demonstrate graduation from 1+ years of consecutive study where English was the language of instruction.
- Post-Secondary (or higher) applicants will be required to demonstrate completion of 1+ year(s) of full-time study where English was the language of instruction OR completion of a 3+ credit academic English course from a Canadian post-secondary institution.
- UNF will accept Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters from an applicant’s institution (should their studies have been completed internationally where the MOI is not confirmed as delivered in English), towards exemption of ELP requirements.
- UNF will accept completion of an accredited Universities English preparation program.
- UNF will NOT be accepting letters of employment towards exemption of ELP.
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