4.2 English Language Proficiency Requirements

As 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 (IEP)

Applicants who have provisional acceptance to Memorial University of Newfoundland, but have not obtained the English language proficiency requirements to be admitted, have the opportunity to take part in the Memorial University of Newfoundland's Intensive English Program (IEP). Applicants in the IEP may provide evidence of reaching the required English language proficiency by way of their performance in their IEP coursework, or by achieving an acceptable score on an institutionally recognized test or one of the standardized tests stated blow. Information regarding Memorial University of Newfoundland's IEP can be found at www.mun.ca/esl 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 Test, Faculty of Science Mathematics Course Descriptions, and Grenfell Campus Mathematics Course Descriptions. 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 MUN Test of English Language (MUNTEL)

A minimum score of 60 in each of Reading and Listening, Writing, and Speaking is required on the MUN Test of English Language. Information regarding the MUN Test of English Language can be found at www.mun.ca/esl/muntel.


4.2.4.2 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.


4.2.4.3 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/.


4.2.4.4 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 www.cael.ca.


4.2.4.5 Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

A minimum grade of "B" or, for those who have completed this test since January 2015, an overall Cambridge English Scale score of 176 in the C1 Advanced or the C2 Proficiency are required. Information regarding these examinations may be obtained from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations via www.cambridgeenglish.org/.


4.2.4.6 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.


4.2.4.7 Michigan English Test (MET)

A minimum score of 59 is required on the MET. Information on the MET testing program may be obtained from Michigan Language Assessment online at www.michiganassessment.org.


4.2.4.8 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 English Language Placement Test

  1. With the exception of applicants who demonstrate English language proficiency under English Language Proficiency Requirements, English Language Secondary Institution and English Language Proficiency Requirements, English Language Post-Secondary Institution, all applicants will be required to write a placement test in English language. This test must be taken prior to the commencement of classes to determine the appropriate English course for which an applicant should register.

  2. Students who are registered for courses at the St. John’s Campus or by Distance/Online Learning whose first language is not English and whose performance in the placement test in English language indicates that appropriate placement is in a first-year English credit course will normally be placed in English 1020.

  3. Students who are registered for courses at the Grenfell Campus should consult with the Office of the Registrar at Grenfell Campus.


4.2.6 Other

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

The information on this site has been extracted from the Official 2023-2024 University Calendar. While every reasonable effort has been made to duplicate the information contained in the official University Calendar, if there are differences, the official Memorial University of Newfoundland Calendar will be considered the final and accurate authority.

Copyright © 2024 Memorial University of Newfoundland.
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
calendar.editor@mun.ca