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English language requirement

English is the language of instruction at SFU. All applicants, regardless of country of origin or citizenship status, will be required to have demonstrated competence in the English language prior to admission. Competence is required in all four of the following skills: listening, reading, speaking and writing.

As an applicant to undergraduate studies, you must demonstrate English language competence in one of the following ways:

Completion of the last three (3) years of full-time secondary school education in English in Canada a minimum grade of 70% in senior level English is required.

OR

Completion of the last three (3) years of full-time secondary school education in English in a country in which the principal language of instruction is English
(see list of countries)		 a minimum grade of 70% in senior level English is required.

OR

Completion of the last four (4) years of full-time secondary school education in English at a recognized international school in a country in which the principal language of instruction is not English a minimum grade of 70% in senior level English is required.

OR

Completion of IB Diploma Program including English A (HL/SL) or English Literature and Performance (SL) a minimum grade of 3 is required.

OR

Completion of a three unit English (ENGL) course or a certified W (writing intensive) course for which SFU grants transfer credit a minimum grade of C- is required.

OR

Completion of SFU’s English Language and Culture (ELC) Low Advanced Level a minimum grade of 80% or higher is required.

OR

GCSE O-Level English (or GCSE English Language B) a minimum grade of 4 (or C)

OR

A satisfactory score on one of the following English language proficiency tests:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic). All test formats accepted with a minimum overall band score of 6.5 with no part less than 6.0.

OR

Cambridge English Qualifications B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a minimum overall score of 176, with no part less than 169

OR

Test of English as a Foreign Language internet based test (TOEFL iBT) with an overall score of 88 or better with a minimum score of 20 in each of the four components (listening, speaking, writing, reading). Note TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted.

OR

Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) with an overall score of 70, with no part less than 60.

OR

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with an overall score of 65, and a minimum score of 60 in the Communicative Skills, including: Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing.

OR

NEW! Duolingo English Test (DET) with an overall score of 125 or better.  *Only accepted from students in countries where no other English proficiency test is available.

Note: send results to Simon Fraser University, undergrad.

Note that enrollment in first-year writing intensive courses requires higher grades than admission grades. See more information.

See more information on the literacy requirements >

See information on Graduate (Master's and Doctoral) English language requirements >

Students must meet the University’s literacy requirements in addition to the English language Requirement. Please see this link for information about how to meet the Literacy Requirements for all applicants

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