University of Waterloo English Requirements
Canada
The University of Waterloo is a public research university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, founded in 1957. It is widely recognized for operating the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program and is known for its strengths in engineering, mathematics, computer science, and innovation. It is a member of the U15 group of Canadian research-intensive universities.
Quick answer
University of Waterloo accepts CAEL, Cambridge English, Duolingo English Test, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT for international admission. Undergraduate applicants typically need Duolingo English Test 120 and IELTS Academic 6.5.
Undergraduate requirements
The university-wide standard for first-year international applicants.
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | Lit 125 · Prod 125 |
| TOEFL iBT | Unknown | |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 | R 6 · W 6.5 · S 6.5 · L 6 |
| PTE Academic | 63 | W 65 · S 65 |
| Cambridge English | 180 | min 176 each skill |
| CAEL | 70 | W 70 · S 70 |
Graduate requirements
The university-wide standard for graduate and postgraduate international applicants. Individual programs may require higher scores.
| Duolingo English Test | No published minimum | |
| TOEFL iBT | Unknown | |
| IELTS Academic | Unknown | |
| PTE Academic | 63 | W 65 · S 65 |
| Cambridge English | 185 | min 176 each skill |
| CAEL | 70 | W 70 · S 70 |
Sources: academic-calendar-archive.uwaterloo.ca/gradua… ↗uwaterloo.ca/future-graduate-students/admissi… ↗
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Frequently asked questions
Does University of Waterloo accept the Duolingo English Test?+
Yes. University of Waterloo accepts the Duolingo English Test. Undergraduate applicants need a minimum of 120; graduate minimums are set by each program.
What IELTS Academic score do I need for University of Waterloo?+
Undergraduate admission to University of Waterloo requires IELTS Academic 6.5 or higher. Graduate programs may require more, depending on the program.
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Start practicing freeRequirements are read from University of Waterloo's own admissions pages and refreshed regularly. Admission requirements change between cycles. Always confirm on the university's admissions page before applying.