English Language Proficiency

Designed specifically for students who are English Language Learners, English for Art and Design (EAD) provides you with opportunities to build your OCAD U community and to get immersed in the language of art & design. 

Further develop your language skills and a stronger academic foundation before/for your first year.

• Apply for OCAD U's English for Art & Design program if you receive a conditional offer of admission to OCAD University and need to meet English language proficiency requirements.   
   
• By successfully completing and passing the EAD program, you will fulfil OCAD U's English language proficiency requirements for admission and you will not need to retake a language test. 
   
• English for Art & Design is for OCAD U students, taught by OCAD U instructors. To participate in the EAD program, your English language proficiency scores must fall within the EAD discretionary range.

Learn more about OCAD U's English for Art & Design programs.
 

OCAD University will also consider English language training that students have received at our English language school partners to satisfy English Language Proficiency requirements. Official documentation must be submitted directly from the language school partner.

English School of Canada

• English School of Canada students who successfully complete the University College Transfer Program (UCTP) - English for Academic Purposes with a result of at least 80% will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.  

Hansa Language Centre

• Hansa Language Centre students who successfully complete the Hansa Language Centre English for Academic Purposes and the Level 10 exam with a score of at least 80% will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.
• Hansa Language Centre students who successfully complete Hansa Language Centre English for Academic Purposes and the Level 9 exam with a score of at least 80% and who complete OCAD U’s English for Art & Design (EAD) Bridge to First Year program will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.  

International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC)

• ILAC students who successfully complete the ILAC University Pathway Program III - PW3.3 at Level 16 will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.  
• ILAC students who successfully complete the ILAC University Pathway Program III - PW3.2 at Level 15 and who complete OCAD U’s English for Art & Design (EAD) Bridge to First Year will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.  

Upper Maddison College (UMC)

• UMC students who successfully complete the UMC English for Academic Purposes Level 15 with an Exit Exam result of 80% or higher will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.  
• UMC students who successfully complete the UMC English for Academic Purposes Level 15 with an Exit Exam result of 70%-79% and who complete OCAD U’s English for Art & Design (EAD) Bridge to First Year program will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.

University of Toronto English Language Program

• University of Toronto English for Academic Purposes students who successfully completed Academic English Level 60 with a minimum score of 'B' will not be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test.  

The following English Language Proficiency tests are acceptable. Test results will be considered valid if completed within 24 months of the intended start date at OCAD U.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Academic
Score Requirements: 

• Minimum 6.5 overall with no part below 6.0 (Academic Module).

*OCAD U uses the IELTS online verification system. Provide your Test Report Form (TRF) number to the Admissions & Recruitment office. 

*OCAD U will accept the IELTS One-Skill retake

*OCAD U does not accept the IELTS Indicator for admission purposes. 

Cambridge Assessment English - Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Score Requirements: 

• A minimum overall score of 180, with at least 170 in each component. For information, visit the Cambridge English website. Results from the B2 First exam are not accepted (regardless of the result achieved).

Use the "Send Your Result" function of the Candidate Results portal to send your results electronically to the OCAD University

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT  (Including Home Edition and Paper Edition):

Score Requirements for tests completed before January 21, 2026: 

• Minimum total score of 84 with at least:
  • 20 in Reading
  • 19 in Listening 
  • 22 in Speaking 
  • 20 in Writing

Score Requirements for tests completed on or after January 21, 2026: 

• Minimum total score of 4.5 with at least:
  • 4.0 in Reading
  • 4.0 in Listening
  • 4.5 in Speaking
  • 4.0 in Writing

*OCAD U's institution code for TOEFL is 0537, use this code to send your results electronically from ETS-TOEFL. 

*OCAD U will accept TOEFL MyBest (super-scored) results. 

*OCAD U does not accept TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP or TOEFL ITP Plus for China for admission purposes. 

PTE Academic (Pearson Test)
Score Requirements: 

• Minimum 58 overall with at least 56 in all sections (Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing)

*OCAD U will only accept scores submitted electronically through myPTE account. For more information, visit the PTE Help Center: Scoring page

Duolingo English Test (DET)
Score Requirements:

• Minimum overall score of 110 with at least 105 in Production

Please note: Duolingo test takers who achieve an overall score of 110 but who score below 105 in the Production sub-score are required to enroll in OCAD U’s EAD: Expanded Program which includes a reduced course load in the Fall term. EAD: Expanded students are also required to enroll in the ELL section of ENGL 1004: The Essay and The Argument in the Winter term to ensure continued language support.

*To send your results, log in to your Duolingo English Test account and use the “Send Results” function to forward your results to “OCAD University - Undergraduate”. You will be prompted to add your OUAC Reference number to your request.

Oxford ELLT (Oxford English Language Level Test)
Score Requirements:

• Overall Score 7 with no individual sub-score band below 6 (sub-score bands are Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing)

*Results must be sent to us electronically by the testing service.

CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Assessment)
Score Requirements: 

• Minimum 70 overall with no band below 60 (sub-score bands are Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing)

*To submit your results, sign in to your CAEL Account and select OCAD University as a recipient institution. Results are transmitted to us electronically.

ELDA/COPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) and ELDA/TOP (Test of Oral Proficiency)
Score Requirements: 

• Minimum 86 overall with at least:
  • 32 in Writing
  • 22 in  Reading
  • 22 in Listening.
  • Minimum score of 6 in TOP.

*Results must be sent to us electronically by the testing service.

OCAD University will consider exemptions from the English language proficiency test requirement if you meet one of the following categories. Exemptions are not automatic and are based on official transcripts and/or supporting documents. You may be required to provide an official letter from your school indicating the language of instruction is English if it is not clearly indicated on your transcript or school profile.

1. You are currently attending an accredited high school/secondary school where the primary medium of instruction is English and will successfully complete at least 4 years of full-time academic studies immediately prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University
2. You have attended and successfully completed at least 4 years of full-time academic studies at an accredited high school/secondary school where the primary medium of instruction is English within two years (24 months) prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University
3. You have attended and successfully completed at least 2 years of full-time academic studies (non-ESL/ELL/EAP programs) at an accredited Community College (post-secondary) where the primary medium of instruction is English within two years (24 months) prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University.
4. You have attended and successfully completed at least 1 year of full-time academic studies (non-ESL/ELL/EAP programs) at an accredited University where the primary medium of instruction is English within two years (24 months) prior to your anticipated start date at OCAD University.
5. You have completed or will successfully complete an English language program with an acceptable Language Pathway program partner. Official documentation must be submitted directly from the English language pathway institution.

You may also qualify for an exemption if you have resided and studied in English (for at least four years) in any of the following countries/territories: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Cameroon, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, eSwatini (Swaziland), Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Wales), United States of America, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In addition, Francophone Canadian citizens educated in Canada will not be required to provide English Language Proficiency Test results.

Please note: This list is for information only. Your eligibility for an exemption will be determined after you have submitted your application for admission and relevant supporting documentation (i.e.:  transcripts).

Please Also Note: For immigration purposes, you may be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada during the study permit application process even if you qualify for an English language proficiency test exemption at OCAD U. Also note that not all language tests are acceptable for immigration purposes.