Language Requirements

Applicants who meet one of the following criteria do not need to submit a test of facility in English:

  • You completed an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma (completion of SL English B is not sufficient).
  • You completed the full GCE Program (O Level, A/S Level and Advanced Level).
  • You lived in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language for the most recent 3 years prior to beginning your university studies.
  • You attended an education institution full time where the medium of instruction is English for the most recent 3 years prior to beginning your university studies.

All other applicants must achieve a satisfactory score on one of the tests of facility in English in the following chart.

Queen's School of English: Students who achieve a high standing on a 12-week English for Academic Purposes advanced-level course through Queen's School of English may be eligible for an English-proficiency exam waiver.

Queen's University's English-Language Bridging Pathway (QBridge): The QBridge pathway provides an opportunity to students who are academically qualified but lacking English-language proficiency to gain admission. Students complete the fall and winter sessions of the English for Academic Purposes Program at Queen's School of English before progressing to their undergraduate studies the following September.

Test Score
Minimum TOEFL Score

88 overall iBT (24 Writing, 22 Speaking, 22 Reading, 20 Listening)

580 PBT

58 overall iBT for consideration to the QBridge Pathway

Minimum IELTS Score

Score of 6.5 on Academic Module with no band below 6.0

Score of 5.5 on Academic Module with no band below 5.0 for consideration to the QBridge Pathway

Minimum CAEL Score Overall band of 70 (no band below 60)
PTE (Pearson Test of English) Overall score of 60
Other Test Scores

The Duolingo English Test: An online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour for only $49.

The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview and writing sample that are shared with Queen's University when you send your results.

Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session. A minimum score of 110 is required.

English-language proficiency test results must be received by April 30.