Information for International Students
- Who must provide proof of English proficiency
- Who may be exempt from providing further proof of English proficiency
- Minimum required test scores for TOEFL, MELAB & IELTS
- Western's Institution & Department Codes
- Information on TOEFL, MELAB & IELTS
Funding for International Students
Proficiency in English
Who must provide proof of English proficiency?
- 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.
- International applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide an English Proficiency test score (TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS) along with their supporting application documents by the application deadline.
- Score reports are valid two years from the date of submission of a student's On-line Application. If the test results are older than two years, the test will need to be rewritten.
- Applicants who are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English and fail to do so may be denied admission.
- "Each student granted admission to Western must be proficient in spoken and written English. Students must demonstrate the ability to write clearly and correctly. Work presented in English in any subject at any level, which shows a lack of proficiency in English and is, therefore, unacceptable for academic credit, will either be failed or, at the discretion of the instructor, returned to the student for revision to a literate level. To foster competence in the use of the English language within their own discipline, all instructors will take proficiency in English into account in the assignment of grades." (http://www.uwo.ca/univsec/handbook/exam/english.pdf)
- 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.
Who may be exempt from providing further proof of English proficiency?
- Francophone students from Canada do not typically need to provide an English Proficiency test score, however, it is expected that applicants are bilingual.
- 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, students should contact the Graduate Programs & Research Office for clarification.
Minimum required test scores for TOEFL, MELAB & IELTS
| 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 |
Western's Institution & Department Codes
- The University of Western Ontario's Institution Code is 0984, and the Department Code for Education is 85. These two numbers must be indicated on a student's test form in order for the Office of Graduate Programs & Research to receive your results.
- Students who did not include these codes when they wrote the test should contact the testing centre to provide the codes.
Information on TOEFL, MELAB & IELTS
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 UWO by the testing agency.
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 web site.
For information on the 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.
Academic Transcripts
- As noted on each checklist of required documentation (regardless of program), all applicants must submit 1 original, sealed transcript from EVERY post-secondary institution attended.
- For original transcripts issued in a language other than English, students must submit 1 transcript in the original language, as well as 1 certified translation into English.
- Transcripts must be submitted for EVERY course for which a student has registered at the post secondary level, including courses taken on a letter of permission from another university; courses/programs not relevant to the program to which a student has applied; those taken many years ago; or those taken at institutions that are not accredited.
- We cannot accept photocopies or faxed versions of transcripts.
- If a student has only one original transcript and cannot, under ANY circumstance obtain additional original transcripts, the student must obtain 1certified copy of the one original (as well as a certified English translation where applicable). In addition, the student must submit a sealed, formal letter from the institution on letterhead explaining its policy of not releasing more than one original transcript. In this instance only, DO NOT submit your one original transcript as it becomes the property of UWO and cannot be copied or returned.
- Students 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 or copied for other programs. If a student is applying to more than one (graduate) program, the student will be required to submit separate documents to each program.
Funding for International Students
- Ph.D. students who are recommended for admission and have an A (80%) average as calculated by the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies are eligible for the standard PhD funding package. Details of this can be found on the Funding web page.
- Currently, no funding is available for M.Ed. students upon entry to Graduate Education programs. However, a small number of awards are available for current international students who are eligible to apply. Please see the Funding web page for more information.
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 for admission to The University of Western Ontario that also names the program of study.
c) Evidence that the student has sufficient funds to pay for tuition fees, for return transportation, and for maintenance of the student and any accompanying dependents during the period for which the individual is admitted to Canada as a student. As evidence, the student may be required by Canadian Immigration authorities to present any one of the following documents:
- a declaration from a 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 the student or the student's 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.
Arriving on Campus
In addition to the information below, we invite applicants to read The Student Development Centre's International Student Pre-Arrival Guide, available on their web site (http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/).
- Students are required to present their original valid Citizenship and Immigration Canada Student Authorization document to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (Room 200, Natural Sciences Building) upon arrival and prior to the start date of their degree program at The University of Western Ontario.
- A student may not enrol in courses, pay tuition fees, or register as a student at this university until the Student Authorization documents are presented. Should the Student Authorization become invalid while attending UWO, students will be de-registered and their enrolment will cease.
- Students will be activated immediately upon showing proper documentation and a fee statement generated. If the student arrives after the tuition fee due date, fees are due immediately. Failure to pay fees may result in a late payment fee (currently $109) or deregistration.
- 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 arriving in London without accommodation should take a taxi from the airport to The University of Western Ontario's Elgin Hall (519 661-3547). Temporary housing will be available until late August. For more information visit Housing and Food Services.
Student Development Centre's International Student Services Office
- 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, Suite 4100, Western Student Services Building. Their telephone number is 519-661-4027. Visit their web site at http://www.sdc.uwo.ca/int/.
- 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.
Mandatory Health Insurance
- Details are available at the website of the University Health Insurance Plan or "UHIP."
- International students are responsible for paying UHIP premiums each term, even if they are receiving funding (e.g. International PhD students).
