To be considered for admission to a graduate program, applicants whose primary language is not English must provide proof of meeting the standard graduate minimum English language proficiency requirements, or in some cases the higher requirements set by the program.
If applicable, this requirement will appear in your Brock applicant portal after you submit your initial OUAC application. Instructions for uploading English proficiency documents are available on the Graduate Application Documents page.
In some cases applicants may be eligible for an exemption or may apply for a waiver. However, Brock reserves the right to request additional documentation or an English language proficiency test from any applicant.
English Proficiency Requirements
Standard Minimum Requirements
The following table outlines the approved providers and standard minimum English language proficiency scores required to be considered for graduate-level study. Applicants should consult the applicable program requirements page to confirm whether these standard minimum English language proficiency scores apply, as some programs require higher scores.
| English Proficiency Provider | Requirement |
| IELTS - International English Language Testing System (Academic version); (IELTS One Skill Retake results will also be accepted alongside a standard IELTS test) | Minimum overall score of 6.5, with no subtest below 6.0 |
| TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT version) | Minimum overall score of 88, with no subtest below 21 (0-120 scale); Minimum overall score of 4.5 with no subtest/skill below 4.0 (1-6 scale) |
| CAEL - Canadian Academic English Language Assessment | Minimum overall score of 70, with no subtest below 60 |
| PTE - Pearson Test of English (Academic or Academic Online versions) | Minimum overall score of 60, with no subtest below 60 |
| Cambridge Assessment English (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) | Minimum overall score of 176 |
| IELP - Brock Intensive English Language Program | Completion of Level 5 |
Notes:
- Some graduate programs may require higher English language test scores or additional verification of English language proficiency. Applicants should consult their program of interest for details.
- Test results must be dated within two years of the application date. For IELTS, the two-year validity is based on the original test date, not the IELTS One Skill Retake date.
- This table reflects the most recently approved providers and minimum scores for graduate-level study as indicated in the Faculty Handbook (FHB III.B.6.7) on February 25, 2026.
Programs with Higher Requirements
The following programs require a higher level of English language proficiency than the standard minimum requirements for graduate-level study. Minimum IELTS scores for each program are listed below; for information about equivalent English language proficiency tests and minimum scores, please contact [email protected].
| Graduate Program | Minimum IELTS Requirement |
| Accountancy (MAcc, GDip) | IELTS 7.5 |
| Applied Linguistics (MA) | IELTS 8.0 (writing subtest 8.0, no subtest below 7.5) |
| Business Administration (GDip) | IELTS 7.5 |
| Business Economics (MBE) | IELTS 7.5 |
| Education (MEd) | IELTS 7.5 (no subtest below 7.0) |
| Educational Studies (PhD) | IELTS 7.0 (no subtest below 6.5) |
| Management (MSc) | IELTS 7.0 |
| Nursing (BN/MN) | IELTS 7.0 (no subtest below 6.5) |
| Professional Education (MPEd) | IELTS 7.5 (no subtest below 7.0) |
Language Schools
Brock University has pathway agreements with the following language schools. Completion of a language program listed below may be accepted by some graduate programs, however these language programs may not be accepted by all graduate programs and do not satisfy programs with higher English language proficiency requirements. Applicants are encouraged to contact their program of interest for clarification.
| Language School | Requirement |
| ILAC - International Language Academy of Canada | Completion of University Pathway III, Level 3.3 |
| ILSC - ILSC Language Schools | Completion of University Pathway Program (UPP), Advanced Level 2 (A2) |
| CLLC - Canadian Language Learning College | Completion of University Pathway Program (UPP), Level 7 |
Exemptions
Applicants may be exempt from the English language proficiency test requirement if they have successfully completed post-secondary study (three or more years for master’s applicants, and two or more years for doctoral applicants) at an institution from one of the following exempt countries where English was the primary language of instruction. If you have been granted an exemption, the English proficiency test will not appear as a required document in your applicant portal.
Waivers
Requests to waive the English Language proficiency requirements are approved rarely, in exceptional circumstances only. As such, applicants whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to submit results from an approved English language proficiency test with their application. Submitting a waiver request does not guarantee approval. All waiver requests are reviewed by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs in consultation with the graduate program.
If the exemptions noted above do not apply, applicants may submit and track a waiver request through the English Language Proficiency (Self-Report) form on the Brock Portal. You will be required to upload a letter outlining the justification for your waiver request, along with any supporting documentation that may assist in its assessment. Supporting documentation may include proof that English was the language of instruction at your previous institution(s), an expired English proficiency test score, or other relevant materials. Further details on submitting the waiver request are available on our Application Documents webpage.
If your waiver request is not approved, you must submit an acceptable English proficiency test result in order to be considered for admission.