Admissions

English Language Requirements for Applicants Whose First Language is Not English

The official language of instruction at the University of Waterloo is English. It is the responsibility of the University to ensure that its undergraduate students have sufficient English language skills to cope with the demands of the academic curriculum as well as, for many, the communication skills to be successful in co-operative education programs.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any Offer of Admission if the applicant fails to meet the minimum English language requirements for the faculty to which they have applied.

The following English language requirements are distinct from and in addition to Ontario Grade 12 English 4U, or equivalent, where it is stated as an admission requirement. All English language proficiency requirements must be met before the first day of classes at UW.

You are NOT required to provide an English proficiency test score if

• your first language is English, or
• you are a bilingual francophone Canadian and you have been educated in Canada, or
• your 4 most recent years of education have been taught entirely in English in a country outside of Canada.

Please be aware that official transcripts indicating subjects taught, grades achieved, and language of instruction must be provided by your secondary and/or post-secondary institution(s) to support your claim.

You ARE required to provide an English proficiency test score if

• your first language is not English and
• your 4 most recent years of education have not been taught entirely in English

The following chart lists English proficiency test options that are accepted for undergraduate admission consideration at the University of Waterloo.

Tests that do not appear on this chart are not accepted for admission consideration.

You must register for one of the test options in the following chart:

Students who do not meet these requirements may still be eligible for admission. The Faculty of Mathematics together with Conestoga College administers the English Language for Academic Studies (ELAS) Program for applicants to Mathematics who require assistance with the English language.

Successful completion of the English for Academic Success (EFAS) program at Renison University College may also satisfy these English language requirements. For specific details refer to: www.renison.uwaterloo.ca/english-language/english-program/efas.shtml.

For additional information regarding English language requirements at the University of Waterloo, please refer to the following web page: www.findoutmore.uwaterloo.ca/admissions/elr.php.