Academic Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent high school diploma
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|
| ENG4U | 4U Math | 70-75% | |
International applicants: see the international admission requirements for the accepted curricula and documents.
Language Requirements
Trent is an English language university and it is important to your success at Trent that you are proficient in both spoken and written English. All students must demonstrate a command of English sufficient to meet the demands of classroom instruction, written assignments, and participation in tutorials and discussions.
Applicants whose first language is not English are normally required to submit proof of English proficiency meeting or exceeding the following test results.
English Language Proficiency Tests
| English Language Tests | Minimum Score |
|---|
| TOEFL / TOEFL IBT / TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition | 2026 Onwards: a score of 4.5 or higher with a minimum of 4.0 in writing Pre 2026: 86 IBT with a minimum writing score of 20. |
| IELTS | 6.5, with no band below 6.0 |
| The Duolingo English Test (*Please note: Duolingo is NOT accepted by the School of Graduate Studies at Trent, and is only applicable for Undergraduate applications.) | 115 |
| CAEL | CAEL On-line (starting July 2020) | 60 |
| Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Advanced English) | 176, with no sub-score below 169 |
| Pearson PTE Academic In-person & Online | 59 |
| Oxford English Language Level Test (ELLT) | 7, with no band below 6 |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic (LCA) | 70-74, with no score below 65 |
Note: If you have results from a recognized Canadian University English language testing services you may submit your results for consideration. English Language Proficiency requirements are subject to change without prior notice.
Exemptions from English Proficiency
To be exempted from providing proof of English language proficiency you must meet one of the following categories:
- You have successfully completed the International Baccalaureate diploma where English was the language of instruction (English Language A not English Language B). You have successfully completed your studies under the British Curriculum: Minimum 'C' grade in O-Level English or completion of AS/A Level subjects taught in English.
- You have studied at least 3 years full-time in a high school/secondary school where the medium of instruction is entirely English and you have not taken any ESL courses during this period. You are required to provide an official letter from your school indicating the language of instruction is English if it is not clearly indicated on your transcript or school profile.
- You have studied at least 2 years full-time in a community college (post-secondary) where the medium of instruction is entirely in English and you have not taken any ESL courses during this period. You are required to provide an official letter from your school indicating the language of instruction is English if it is not clearly indicated on your transcript or school profile.
- You have studied at least 1 year full-time in a university where the medium of instruction is entirely in English and you have not taken any ESL courses during this period. You are required to provide an official letter from your school indicating the language of instruction is English if it is not clearly indicated on your transcript or school profile.
(Please note: Notwithstanding the above requirements and conditions, Trent University reserves the right to request English proficiency test scores from any applicant.)
Trent University reserves the right to ask for further evidence of English proficiency regardless whether or not the applicant may have met published exemption requirements.
If you do not meet English Proficiency or Exemption Requirements
Applicants who do not meet Trent University’s English Language requirements can still progress to undergraduate studies at Trent through the completion of alternate language training pathways with our official partners:
- Oxford International Digital Institute (OIDI) Pathways English Course Online for Higher Education in Canada
DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.
