The Pearson Test of English (PTE) may sound familiar to aspirants looking to study abroad in Canada. It is a popular English language proficiency test, and is accepted by over 3,000 universities worldwide.
Many Canadian universities and colleges accept PTE as part of the admission process. And so, you can improve your chances of getting accepted to a Canadian college or university by demonstrating required English language proficiency through the PTE exam.
PTE consists of three versions: Academic, Young Learners, and General. Candidates applying for university courses should appear for the academic PTE Academic, which lasts for three hours. It tests a candidate’s listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills. At present, PTE is accepted by over 3,000 universities worldwide.
With the examination’s wide acceptance globally, Canada is no exception. In fact, the list of PTE-accepted universities in Canada is growing at a fast pace and includes the top-ranked Canadian institutions.
Therefore, familiarizing yourself with the PTE exam pattern,PTE exam syllabus, etc.can help you to effectively prepare for it to ensure admission to the best Canadian universities.
But the important question is, what are the top universities in Canada that accept the PTE Exam Scores? By the end of this article, we guarantee that you will get your answer.
List of Top 5 Universities in Canada Accepting PTE
Below are the top PTE-accepted universities in Canada 2023. These universities have been listed based on the latest QS University Rankings (2024).
University
QS University Rankings 2024
Key Highlights
McGill University
30
The university has 50 research centers and over 400 programs, including master's degrees, PhD, and MBAs. Some of the most popular domains include: Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Arts
Dentistry
Education
Engineering
Law
University of British Columbia (UBC)
=34
The university’s eight Nobel laureates and 71 Rhodes Scholars among its alumni help set it apart.
Adding to its appeal, the university offers various specialized bachelor's, master's, and MBA programs that include:
International economics
Food market analysis
Media studies
First Nations and indigenous studies
Applied animal biology
Social Work
Ethnomusicology
McMaster University
=189
The university is a diverse hub welcoming students and faculty from 98 countries worldwide. It has 70 international academic exchange agreements in place. Moreover, some of the most popular departments at this university include:
Arts and Humanities
Business and Management
Engineering and Technology
Life Sciences and Medicines
Natural Sciences
University of Waterloo
112
Due to its network of over 7000 employers, the institute provides immense opportunities to shape your career effectively.
As a university student, you can choose to pursue courses in the listed domains:
Architectural Engineering
Accounting and Financial Management
Computer Engineering
Biostatistics
Actuarial Science
Western University
114
With an emphasis on research, this university offers multiple study-abroad and research opportunities to broaden perspectives.
There are various bachelor's and master's programs offered at this university, including:
American Cultural Studies
Archaeology and Biological Anthropology
Financial Economics
Commercial Aviation Management
Anthropology
Applied Mathematics
List of Canadian Universities Accepting PTE & Scores Required
University
PTE Score Requirement
Notes
University of Toronto
Generally around 60
Specific requirements may vary by program.
University of British Columbia
65 overall, with no section below 60
Certain faculties may have higher requirements.
McGill University
65 overall
Different programs may have different requirements.
University of Alberta
Minimum of 59
Some faculties require higher scores.
McMaster University
63 overall, with 60 in each communicative skill
Engineering programs may require higher scores.
University of Waterloo
65 overall
Certain programs may require scores in specific bands.
University of Calgary
60 overall
Professional programs might have higher score requirements.
Simon Fraser University
65 overall
Varied requirements depending on the faculty.
Dalhousie University
Overall score of 54
Some programs have specific score requirements.
Queen's University
65 overall
Check individual program requirements for more details.
Note: This table provides a general idea and should not be considered accurate for 2024 admissions. Admission requirements, including PTE score requirements, can change from year to year. Always refer to the official university admissions page for the most current information.
For international students applying to highly ranked universities, a good PTE score determines a quicker application procedure. It is easier to engage both within and outside the classroom when one is fluent in the language of instruction in Canada.
Now that you know about PTE and top Canadian universities that accept PTE, you can get information about PTE exam registration.
PTE Exam Preparation Tips 2024
There are several universities and colleges in Canada accepting PTE. So, here we have listed some of the best exam preparation tips so that you can easily get enrolled into PTE accepted universities in Canada.
Learn about the list of colleges accepting PTE in Canada and check the minimum acceptance score for the university and the visa application.
Understand the format of the PTE exam.
Part 1: Speaking and writing (approximately 54 to 67 minutes)
Part 2: Reading (about 30 minutes)
Part 3: Listening (about 30 minutes)
Acquire the official materials and start preparing thoroughly to improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
Make use of Pearson’s free resources for a good PTE score. Watch the videos and complete the short PTE courses.
Pearson offers 5 different types of practice tests. Take these practice tests often, which can help you get used to the format, timing, and type of questions. In addition, you will receive a full score report.
Get help from tutors, online communities, to improve your skills.
Minimum PTE Score Required for Canada
For Canada, PTE score requirement varies based on the level of program a candidate decides to pursue. The minimum accepted PTE scores for admission will also depend on the program you apply for.
The minimum PTE score required for Canada has been listed below.
To be eligible for a diploma, a candidate must score at least 45 in PTE. Moreover, each module should have a minimum score of 36.
The eligibility criteria for a bachelor's is an overall score of 50. Not to mention, the candidate must also score a minimum of 45 in each section.
A graduate diploma or master's program demands a score of 65; the minimum marks for each module cannot be less than 50.
In conclusion, Canadian universities' acceptance of PTE scores in 2024 underscores the country's inclusive and flexible approach towards evaluating English language proficiency for international students.
This acceptance broadens the opportunities for students from diverse linguistic backgrounds to pursue higher education in Canada, known for its quality education and multicultural environment.
While specific PTE score requirements may vary across institutions and programs, the overall trend reflects a commitment to accessibility and recognizes the value of varied English proficiency tests.
PTE is accepted by various universities in Canada, offering both bachelor's and master's programs. To know more, you can find a detailed list of the same on the official website of PTE.
How much PTE score is required for Canada?
For admission to Canadian universities, you require a minimum score of 45 (Diploma programs) and a maximum score of 50 (Masters programs).
Does Canada accept the Pearson Test of English for a student visa?
No, the PTE alone cannot secure a Canadian visa. Using the PTE test scores, you can apply to various Canadian universities. When you secure admission to a particular university, you can only apply for a student visa.
Which is better for Canada PTE or IELTS?
Both tests are similar in difficulty. The primary difference is that IELTS can be used for immigration purposes, while PTE can’t be used. So, if you plan to settle in Canada, IELTS is the better alternative.
Is PTE acceptable for PR?
PTE has now become acceptable for visas in Canada. According to the IRCC, the PTE score for PR in Canada will begin to be accepted in late 2023. The exact date for the same is yet to be decided.
What is the PTE visa success rate in Canada?
The PTE visa success rate cannot be determined currently, since the PTE score for PR in Canada will begin to be accepted in late 2023.
What is the minimum PTE score for a Canadian Student Visa?
There is no specific Canada PTE score requirement for a student visa. Nevertheless, it is best to have a score of 58 or more because a high score increases the chances of visa approval.
Also, you need to remember that the minimum PTE score for the PTE accepted colleges in Canada Toronto will differ from the visa application.
This is because some colleges accept scores between 50 and 65, while other universities have a minimum requirement of 70 or above.
Register for Study in Canada FREE Course
The Canada hosts the largest number of international students from across the world. Over the past few years, it has become one of the most popular destinations for studying abroad. Reasons such as best-ranked institutions, excellent support facilities, flexible academic environment, and cultural diversity contribute to making it the most preferred destination amongst students planning to study abroad.
Important Resources For PTE/SAT/ACT Exam
PTE Examination Eligibility Criteria
There are no specific PTE exam eligibility criteria set by Pearson VUE – the organizers of the test./
The PTE exam pattern is designed to test whether candidates can study at international institutions that have English as the main language for instructions./
Canada is a country that is renowned for the quality of its educational infrastructure. As a result, it is no surprise that a list of PTE accepted universities in Canada is sought-after./
The SAT exam dates fall on Saturdays and the test is generally conducted on 7 Saturdays every year; the deadline for registration is four weeks prior to the date of the test./
According to the latest update on SAT syllabus 2022, SAT Subject Tests and the SAT optional essays have been discontinued which has now reduced the duration of the exam by 50 minutes./
Understanding the SAT exam pattern is of paramount importance for all those who want to study undergraduate courses from universities or colleges abroad./
The College Board India Scholars Program offers the SAT scholarship for Indian students. This scholarship helps students receive education from renowned institutes worldwide./
How to register for the SAT examination? Stay assured that the procedure is not at all complex. Students desirous of obtaining admission into bachelor’s or undergraduate courses in the US or Canada will find this to be an important examination./
It is very important for ACT aspirants to be aware of the complete ACT exam syllabus, as it will help them to avoid any surprises on the day of the examination./
The ACT is a widely accepted and standardized examination in the U.S. and several other countries. It is used majorly for undergraduate admissions into several colleges and universities./
Registration of the ACT examination is done through the official website online. Applicants need to register for the test at least two months before the test date. /
The American College Testing– ACT score is a part of the college applications in the United States of America (USA), depending on the institution students apply to. There are no fixed passing marks for this examination./
Carefully curated list of the top SAT prep material can prove invaluable to reducing aspirants' efforts. So, to simplify your research, here are 10 SAT exam books to consider for thorough preparation./
Anupriya Mukherjee is a passion-driven professional working as a Content Marketer and earlier worked as a Digital Marketeer. With around 6 years of work experience, she has experience creating high-quality, engaging content for websites, blogs, news articles, video scripts, brochures, and ebooks.