Interested Applicants

Information for International Students

1. Proficiency in English

International applicants applying for admission to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies whose first language is not English will be required to furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by satisfactory achievement in one of the following:

The scores quoted below have been revised from previous years and are in effect for September 2007 applications.

TOEFL – New Internet Based	Overall	Reading	Writing	TWE	Speaking	Listening
Required Minimum	105/120	27/30	27/30	n/a	27/30	24/30
TOEFL – Computer Based	Overall	Reading	Writing	Essay/ TWE	Speaking/ TSE	Listening
Required Minimum	260	26	27	5/6	55/60	24
TOEFL – Paper Based	Overall	Reading	Writing	Essay/ TWE	Speaking/ TSE	Listening
Required Minimum	615	61	64	5/6	55/60	59
IELTS - Academic Test	Overall	Reading (Academic)	Writing	n/a	Speaking	Listening
Required Minimum	7/9	7/9	7/9	n/a	7/9	6.5/9
MELAB	Overall	Reading	Writing	n/a	Speaking	Listening
Required Minimum	85	85	85	n/a	85	80

The University of Western Ontario's Institution Code is 0984, and the Department Code for Education is 85. These two numbers must be on your test form in order for UWO to receive your results.

Score reports are valid two years from the date you submit your online application. If your test results are older than two years as of the date you submit your application, you will need to write a new test.

Students whose first language is not English may be considered exempt from providing an English Proficiency test score if they have studied academic courses, full time, for at least two years, in an English speaking University that is in a country whose official first language is English. If in doubt, please contact the Graduate Education Office for clarification. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies reserves the right to ask any applicant whose first language is not English for a test score. This includes Canadian Citizens, whose first language is not English, and who do not meet the above criteria.

French Canadians do not typically need to provide an English Proficiency test score, however, it is expected that applicants are bilingual.

Applicants who are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English and fail to do so may be denied admission.

In some cases, applicants whose first language is not English may be required to do a residency term commencing May 1, 2007 as a condition of their admission. More information will be provided when available.

Application forms for the TOEFL may be obtained by writing to:

Test of English as a Foreign Language
Box 899
Princeton, New Jersey
08541, U.S.A.

The TOEFL is administered on several dates each year; registration forms must be submitted directly to the testing agency at least one month in advance of the test date. More information is available at the Official TOEFL site.

For information on the new Internet-based TOEFL: http://www.ets.org/toefl/nextgen/index.html.

The IELTS is not offered in Canada or the United States but is offered in most other countries. For information, please contact:

British Council Office or the IELTS Liaison Officer
British Council
10 Spring Gardens
London, England
SW1A 2BN

Arrangements to write MELAB may be made by writing to:

The International English Language Institute
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
48104, U.S.A.

Students who are required to present proof of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB and to have the official results sent directly to the Faculty of Graduate Studies by the testing agency.

A student who, after admission, shows an inadequate command of spoken or written English must improve his or her proficiency to the satisfaction of the graduate program or department.

2. Academic Transcripts

As noted on each checklist of required documentation (regardless of program), all applicants must submit 2 original, sealed transcripts from EVERY post-secondary institution attended. For original transcripts issued in a language other than English, you must submit 2 transcripts in the original language, as well as 2 certified translations. Transcripts must be submitted for EVERYTHING you have taken at the post secondary level, including courses taken on a letter of permission from another university, regardless of whether or not such courses appear on the transcript of your home university; courses/programs not relevant to the program you are applying for; those taken many years ago; or those taken at institutions that may not be accredited. We cannot accept photocopies or faxed versions of transcripts. If you have only one original transcript and cannot, under ANY circumstance obtain additional original transcripts, you must obtain 2 certified copies of your one original (as well as certified English translations where applicable), and you must submit a sealed, formal letter from the institution explaining its policy of not releasing more than one original transcript. You must make every attempt to obtain original transcripts and be sure to do this early; every year we must turn away applicants who otherwise would have been recommended for admission because they fail to provide the proper documentation. Please note that all documents submitted become the property of UWO; they cannot be returned to you or copied. If you are applying to more than one (graduate) program you will have to submit separate documents.

3. Entry to Canada

Any or all of the following documents may be required of international students by the Canadian Immigration authorities both when applying for a student authorization, and when passing through a port of entry into Canada:

a) A valid passport, Canadian Visa (if required), and a Student Authorization. The Visa and Student Authorization must be obtained from a Canadian Embassy or Consulate before coming to Canada.

b) An official letter of acceptance from The University of Western Ontario stating that you have been accepted for admission and naming the program of study.

c) Evidence that you have sufficient funds to pay tuition fees, return transportation, and to maintain yourself and any accompanying dependents during the period for which you are admitted to Canada as a student. As evidence, you may be required by Canadian Immigration authorities to present any one of the following documents:

a declaration from your parent or guardian confirming that he or she will provide sufficient funds to cover all educational costs including tuition, maintenance, and transportation;
written assurance from a bank that either you or your parent or guardian has sufficient funds to accept this obligation;
written assurance from foreign exchange control (if applicable) that the funds will be available for use in Canada;
copies of any letters offering scholarships or any other form of support from The University of Western Ontario or any other organization or government.

4. Arriving on Campus

Students are required to present their original valid Citizenship and Immigration Canada Student Authorization document to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies prior to the start date of their degree program at The University of Western Ontario. Failure to do so will result in the student not being allowed to enroll or register as a student at this university and they will not be allowed to commence work towards a degree. Should the Student Authorization become invalid while attending UWO, students will be de-registered and their enrolment will cease.

General information concerning the City of London and UWO student residences is forwarded to international students when they are approved for admission to our Graduate program. More information can be found at the City of London site and the Off-Campus Housing site.

Students from other countries who are recent arrivals on campus are advised to contact the International Student Office to pick up a comprehensive orientation package. Their office is located in the Student Development Centre, Room 210, University Community Centre (UCC). Their telephone number is 519 661-4027, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Students arriving in London without accommodation should take a taxi from the airport to The University of Western Ontario's Alumni House (519 661-3814). Temporary housing will be available until August 31. For more information visit Housing and Food Services.

Counsellors in the International Student Services Office can assist with immigration concerns, housing, and financial matters. They also provide liaison with government and other sponsoring agencies, and administrative support for international student organizations. Individual counselling dealing with student concerns regarding personal and cultural adjustment can be arranged. The International Student Services Office in the Student Development Centre (Room 210 UCC) can be reached by phone at 519 661-3031. Visit their web site at http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/int/.

5. Mandatory Health Insurance

Details are available at the website of the University Health Insurance Plan.

6. Funding for International Students

Ph.D. students can refer to the Fees and Funding Sources page. There is currently no funding available for M.Ed. students.

* For more information, visit the International Student Office. *

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Program Information