Office of the Registrar
University Regulations (2015/2016)
4.2 English Language Proficiency Requirements

Since English is the primary language of instruction at this University, all applicants seeking admission to Memorial University of Newfoundland must possess an adequate knowledge of written and spoken English as a prerequisite to admission. Regardless of country of origin or of citizenship status, applicants will be required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language based on one of the following forms.

4.2.1 English Language Secondary Institution

Applicants are required to have successfully completed the equivalent of three years of full-time instruction in an English language secondary institution as recognized by Memorial University of Newfoundland including successful completion of appropriate course(s) in English at the Grade 12 or equivalent level. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are not acceptable for meeting this requirement. The University may require, as deemed appropriate by the University Committee on Admissions, further proof of English proficiency through one of the standardized tests below.

4.2.2 English Language Post-Secondary Institution

Applicants who have attended a recognized post-secondary institution where English is the language of instruction must have successfully completed the equivalent of 30 credit hours. These 30 credit hours must include 6 transferable credit hours in English courses. For information on transfer credit refer to Transfer Credit.

4.2.3 Memorial University of Newfoundland's Intensive English Program

Applicants are required to successfully complete Memorial University of Newfoundland's Intensive English Program (IEP) assessment with an acceptable score, as noted below under Standardized Tests, on the CAEL administered by the University. Information regarding Memorial University of Newfoundland's IEP can be found in the Faculty of Arts or the Grenfell Campus sections of the Calendar.

4.2.4 Standardized Tests

Applicants proving English Proficiency through one of the following forms may be required to write a placement test prior to the commencement of classes to determine the appropriate course in English for which they should register. For further information refer to English Language Placement Tests and Mathematics Placement Test. The official results of the following standardized tests must be forwarded to Memorial University of Newfoundland directly from an authorized test reporting centre.

4.2.4.1 Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

A minimum score of 79 with at least 20 in each of Reading and Writing, and no less than 17 in Listening and Speaking is required on the internet-based TOEFL. Information regarding the TOEFL program is available from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), TOEFL/TSE Services, online at www.ets.org/toefl/, from U.S. embassies or consulates, or from offices of the U.S. Information Services.

4.2.4.2 International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

A minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least band 6 in each of Writing and Reading. Information regarding the IELTS may be obtained from the IELTS Subject Officer, University of Cambridge Local, Examinations Syndicate via www.ielts.org/.

4.2.4.3 Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment

Minimum band scores between 50 and 60 in each of the four skills tested (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking), with at least two band scores of 60 are required on the CAEL Assessment. Information regarding the CAEL Assessment may be obtained from the CAEL Assessment Office at Carleton University online at www.cael.ca/contact/index.shtml.

4.2.4.4 Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

A minimum grade of "B" in the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) or a minimum grade of "C" in the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) are required. Information regarding these examinations may be obtained from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations via www.cambridgeenglish.org/.

4.2.4.5 Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees (CanTEST)

Minimum band scores of 4.5 in the listening comprehension and reading comprehension sub-tests and a score of 4 in writing are required on the CanTEST. Information regarding this examination may be obtained from the Language Testing Service of the University of Ottawa online at www.cantest.uottawa.ca/index.php.

4.2.4.6 Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)

A minimum score of 85 is required on the MELAB. Information on the MELAB testing program may be obtained from the University of Michigan and Cambridge Collaboration Organization (CaMLA) online at www.cambridgemichigan.org/melab.

4.2.4.7 Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)

A minimum score of 58 in each of the reading, writing, listening, and speaking components of the PTE Academic is required. Information about the PTE Academic is available online at www.pearsonpte.com.

4.2.5 Other

Other forms of proof of English language proficiency, acceptable to the University Committee on Admissions, may be considered.