International Applicants

Outlined below are the minimum admission requirements set forth by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Please review this information to ensure you are prepared with the knowledge necessary to succeed in your educational pursuits. Be sure to visit program-specific websites you are interested in applying to as each graduate program may have specific admissions requirements, including higher averages than the minimum.

Master’s Programs

Applicants must possess a four-year degree from a university, college or institute. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average across courses taken in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree. Equivalent qualifications may be considered based on the standards of the discipline or profession.

Doctoral Programs

Applicants must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent from a university, college or institute, and provide evidence of research potential. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average in the Master’s degree, as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory* achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). iBT (internet-Based Test): The minimum acceptable score is 86, with no individual score below 20. Please note that some programs require a higher minimum and/or band score. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9.
• The Duolingo English Test.  The minimum acceptable score is 115.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60.
• Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
• Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components.

*Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above. Applicants who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to complete one of the above tests or programs and to have the official results sent directly to SGPS by the testing agency.

Exemptions

Applicants may request an exemption by contacting their graduate program(s) of interest. For the French and Hispanic Studies programs only, evidence of proficiency in English is a degree requirement but not a requirement for admission.

International students at Western can take advantage of the International and Exchange Student Centre's (IESC) offerings - a full range of services and programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of international students and enhance their academic, social, and cultural experience at the university, including:

• Orientation Activities and a friendly welcome team of student volunteers to assist and support newly arrived international students with questions about settling in
• Peer Guide Program, providing friendly support and assistance with cultural and transition issues
• Year-round social, cultural and informative events
• Individual assistance with Canadian immigration and employment regulations, financial, cultural, social and personal concerns
• English Conversation Program for students (and spouses) who want to enhance spoken English skills
• Volunteer opportunities to gain valuable experience in a cross-cultural setting

For more information, please visit International and Exchange Student Centre (IESC).

Western's English Language Centre allows academically eligible students interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western the opportunity to receive a conditional offer of admission to graduate studies without successful completion of an English language proficiency test. The condition is that the student must, in lieu of such a test, successfully complete Western English Language Centre's program. For more information, please visit http://englishlanguage.uwo.ca/.

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) offers communication and orientation programs for International Graduate Students at Western. These programs are designed to help international students make the transition to living in Canada, and they also allow students to develop English language skills for the classroom.

International Teaching Assistant Day is a half-day conference held in early September, while the other courses are offered at various times throughout the year.

The CTL also oversees Communication Strategies for International Grad Students (CSIGS), an e-book primarily for international and newcomer Canadian graduate students to familiarize them with the norms of communication in Canada.

Equity and Human Rights Services (EHRS) provides information on the University’s discrimination and harassment policies, employment equity and diversity and other human rights related issues. EHRS are here to help you, whether you are a student, staff or faculty member. EHRS are dedicated to making Western an equitable, safe and supportive environment for all members of the University community. Their service is confidential except in specific circumstances.

Equity and Human Rights Services also oversees Western's Multicultural Calendar.