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International students on campus

International Applicants

International Applicants

International students on campus

International Applicants

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Study in Canada at Western University

Western welcomes graduate students from around the world. About 20% of our graduate students come from outside Canada, representing countries across the globe.


Western welcomes graduate students from around the world. More than 20% of our graduate student community comes from outside Canada, representing countries across the globe.

Graduate studies in Canada offer the opportunity to earn an internationally respected degree while living in one of the world’s most welcoming and diverse countries. Canada's higher education system is consistently recognized among the world's best, ranking in the global top 10 for graduate employability (Times Higher Education, 2021).

At Western University, international graduate students join a research-intensive university known for academic excellence, globally recognized faculty, competitive funding opportunities, and world-class facilities. Whether pursuing groundbreaking academic research or enrolling in one of our specialized, career-focused professional graduate programs designed to build market-ready expertise and accelerate career pathway, students join an ecosystem built for excellence and high achievement.

Beyond academics, students can connect through graduate clubs, intercultural programming, volunteer leadership, career workshops, and campus events.

Western is located in London, Ontario, a vibrant, student-friendly city with parks, cultural events, welcoming neighbourhoods, and a more affordable cost of living than many larger Canadian cities. As Canada’s first UNESCO City of Music, London offers a creative and inspiring place to live, learn, build professional networks, and conduct research.

Canada also offers eligible international students opportunities to gain valuable work experience during and after their studies, depending on current immigration regulations.

Western gives international graduate students the opportunity to pursue advanced study, contribute to meaningful research, engage in professional training, and confidently prepare for what comes next.
Important to know

Letter of Acceptance (LOA)

Most international students require a study permit to enrol in a graduate program. Learn about current study permit requirements, recent policy updates, and what international students should know before applying to Western.

 

Learn More FAQs

Admission Requirements

Outlined below are the minimum admission requirements set forth by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (SGPS).

Program-specific requirements: Be sure to visit the websites of the programs you are interested in applying to because each graduate program may have additional admission requirements, including higher averages than the minimum.

Master’s Programs

  • Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution that is comparable to a four-year Canadian bachelor’s degree. SGPS will assess international credentials for equivalency. Please note that some three-year bachelor’s degrees may not meet this requirement.
  • SGPS requires at least a B- average across courses taken in your two most recent full-time years of study in a degree program, as determined by SGPS.
  • Equivalent qualifications may be considered based on the standards of the discipline or profession. Please contact the graduate program you are interested in for more information.

Doctoral Programs

  • Applicants must possess a master’s degree or equivalent* from a university, college, or institute, and provide evidence of research potential. SGPS requires at least a B- average across your previous graduate studies, as determined by SGPS.
*Applicants may be eligible to enter a doctoral program directly after completing a bachelor's degree at the discretion of the admitting program.

English Language Proficiency

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:

TOEFL iBT

Western ID: 0984

Before Jan 21, 2026: Overall 86+, no section below 20

On or after Jan 21, 2026: Overall 4.5+, no section below 4

 

Some programs may require a higher minimum and/or specific band scores.  

IELTS Academic

Minimum acceptable score: 6.5 out of 9
Duolingo English Test

Minimum acceptable score: 115
CAEL Assessment

Minimum acceptable score: 60 out of 90
Western English Language Centre

Successful completion of the High-Advanced level
Fanshawe College ESL

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 SGPS by the testing agency.

Applicants are automatically exempted from our English language proficiency requirement if either:

  1. Their first language is English; or
  2. They have completed at least two full-time years of post-secondary education in a degree program in an English-speaking institution located in a country whose primary language is English.

The list of eligible countries is as follows:

  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • Botswana
  • Canada
  • Ghana
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Malta
  • Namibia
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • South Africa
  • Swaziland
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

If you meet the above criteria, you will be exempt from our English language proficiency requirement and can leave that section of the application blank.

International Support Services

Western offers a range of services to help international graduate students settle in and succeed on campus.

Western International

Western International offers a full range of services and programs tailored to the needs of international students, supporting their academic, social, and cultural experience at Western.

For more information, visit International Student Services.

Western English Language Centre

Offers conditional admission to graduate studies for eligible students who complete the Centre’s program in lieu of a proficiency test. Learn more.

Centre for Teaching & Learning

Communication and orientation programs for international graduate students, including the CSIGS e-book on Canadian academic communication norms.

Equity & Human Rights Services

Information and support on discrimination, harassment, employment equity, and human rights issues. Committed to a safe, equitable environment for all. Also oversees the Multicultural Calendar.

Ready to apply?

Review the full application steps before getting started.

How to Apply View Programs