ESL Overview
The language of instruction at Carleton University is English. To be admitted, applicants must demonstrate sufficient English proficiency for academic success. Applicants can demonstrate their English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
Proof of English language Education
Applicants may submit transcripts showing they have studied full-time for the past three years in one of the following settings:
- A Canadian high school where English was the primary language of instruction.
- A high school, college or university in a country where English is the primary language and the institution’s instruction was predominantly in English. See the list of eligible countries/territories listed below.
Important notes:
- Time spent in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses do not count towards meeting the three-year requirement.
- Letters from educators will not waive the language requirement.
- If a student submits both transcripts and an English language test score, Carleton reserves the right to reassess the admission decision.
English Language Test Results / Qualifications
Students may submit official English language test scores / qualifications. See the list of accepted tests and score requirements / qualifications in the tables below.
Note: Carleton may request a test from any applicant, regardless of academic background.
Table 1: Admission with no further ESL requirement
Students who submit any of the scores shown in Table 1 below may be eligible for an offer with no further ESL requirement and may begin full-time degree studies.
| English Language Tests | Score | Type of Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Placement courses | Minimum grade of 4 or better on Advanced Placement (AP) English Language & Composition or AP English Literature and Composition | Offer to Undergraduate Degree Program with no ESL requirement. May begin full-time studies. |
| Cambridge English Language test | 176 or above on C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency – minimum 169 in each component | |
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) | Minimum score of 70 overall with a minimum score of 60 in each band | |
| College Studies in Canada (public colleges only, full-time studies) | Minimum requirement is successfully completing two years of full-time study at a Canadian college in an Advanced Diploma or Applied Degree (excluding ESL and technical courses). All two years of study must be completed in Canada. Courses in progress will also be considered. | |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 120 (minimum 110 in writing; 110 in reading; 110 in speaking; 105 in listening) | |
| GCSE / IGCSE / GCE / AICE English | Minimum final grade of B (6 in reformed qualifications) in GCSE / IGCSE / GCE Ordinary Level English, English Language, or English as a Second Language; OR minimum final or predicted grade of C in GCE A Level / AS Level / AICE English or English Language. IGCSE English as an Additional Language is not accepted. | |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) English | Minimum grade of 4 (predicted or final) in Higher or Standard Level English A: Literature or English A: Language and Literature. Higher Level English B is not accepted. | |
| Internet Based (iBT) TOEFL | 86 (22 in writing and speaking, 20 reading and listening) | |
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 IELTS (minimum 6.0 each band) | |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | 60 (minimum 60 in each Communicative Skill) | |
| University Studies in Canada (public universities only, full-time studies) | Minimum requirement is successfully completing one year of full-time study at a Canadian university (excluding ESL and technical courses). The full one year of study must be completed in Canada. Courses in progress will also be considered. |
Applicants whose first language is French must present transcripts to indicate that they have taken four years of anglais (English) in a Canadian secondary school to be admitted without an English as a Second Language Requirement.
Table 2: Admission with an ESL requirement (Academic ESL courses required)
Students with scores shown in Table 2 below may be admitted with an English as a Second Language Requirement (ESLR). In the first term(s) of study, students will be required to take Academic ESL along with a limited number of courses from their degree program. This admission with an ESLR allows students to earn academic credits from degree courses taken while completing the English requirements.
| English Language Tests | Score | Type of Offer |
|---|---|---|
| Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) | 40 (minimum 30 in each band, and minimum average of 40 over writing, reading and listening) | Offer to Degree Program with ESL requirement. Must complete Academic ESL courses. |
| Internet Based (iBT) TOEFL | 61-85 (minimum 15 in each section) | |
| IELTS (Academic) | 5.0 – 6.0 (minimum 4.5 in each band and the average of writing+reading+listening divided by 3 must be a minimum of 5) | |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic | N/A | |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | If you start your program in Fall 2025: – Tests written BEFORE July 1, 2024: 85-115, with no integrated subscore below 65. – Tests written ON OR AFTER July 1, 2024: 85-115, with a minimum of 85 in production and no other integrated subscore below 65. If you start your program in Winter 2026, Fall 2026 or later: 80 (minimum 65 in writing, 75 in reading, 70 in speaking, 75 in listening) | |
| Cambridge English Language Test | N/A |
Please note that students beginning their studies with an English language requirement are not eligible for admission to the following programs:
- Architectural Studies
- Health Sciences
- Humanities
- Industrial Design
- Information Technology
- International Business
- Journalism
- Journalism and Humanities
- Media Production and Design
- Nursing
- Public Affairs and Policy Management
- All Post Baccalaureate Diplomas
Academic ESL
Academic ESL courses allow students to begin their degree and study academic courses while completing the English as a Second Language Requirement (ESLR). This can take up to three terms to complete and consists of three levels of English as a Second Language courses (ESLA) which focus on the academic skills needed for university study. ESLA course(s) are taken concurrently with a limited number of degree courses.
Students admitted with an ESLR will have their level of English language proficiency reviewed and assessed by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies (SLaLS). Students will receive an ESLA placement indicating the ESLA course level they have been placed into and how many additional credits they are permitted to register in at the same time as their ESLA course. Students admitted with this requirement should check Carleton 360 to see their ESLA placement (see VIEW or DISPLAY HOLDS). During the registration period, students must register in the appropriate ESLA course in order to be permitted to register in any other degree program credits they may be entitled to.
Academic ESL courses:
| Course Number | Course Name | Description | Additional degree credits permitted |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESLA 1300 | Introductory ESL for Academic Purposes | This level introduces students to the skills and strategies they need for academic success at university including basic research methods. | 0.5 credit |
| ESLA 1500 | Intermediate ESL for Academic Purposes | This level further develops the skills and strategies required for academic success, and adds to basic research skills. | Up to 1.0 credit |
| ESLA 1900 | Advanced ESL for Academic Purposes | This level develops students’ research and analytic skills, primarily through reading and writing of academically oriented texts. | Up to 1.5 credits |
Note: As students progress through the ESL courses, their ESLA placements and course credit limits will be adjusted based on previous ESLA final grades (see the ‘What you need to know about ESLA‘ page for details).
For more information on ESLR, please contact the School of Linguistics and Language Studies (SLaLS).
Countries That May Qualify for Exemption
You may qualify for an exemption if you have studied in English for at least three years in any of the following countries/territories. This list is for information only. Your eligibility for an exemption will be determined once you have submitted your application for admission and relevant supporting documents, like your transcripts, have been reviewed.
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- Botswana
- British Virgin Islands
- Cameroon
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- 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
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uganda
- United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Wales)
- United States of America
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
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