Admission requirements

In order to be accepted to a Conestoga College program, you must:

  1. Meet the program admission requirements
  2. Provide proof of English proficiency in one of the following ways:

Diploma/Certificate*

6.0 IELTS Academic (with no band less than 5.5)
80 TOEFL (Effective January 2024, no individual skill less than 20.)

Degree**

6.5 IELTS Academic (with no band less than 6.0)
88 TOEFL (Effective January 2024, no individual skill less than 22.)

Graduate certificate

(Some IT/engineering program required test scores may vary)
6.5 IELTS Academic (with no band less than 6.0)
88 TOEFL (Effective January 2024, no individual skill less than 22.)

*excluding: Advertising and Marketing Communications, Business - Insurance, Fitness and Health Promotion, Food Processing Technician, Journalism, Hearing Instrument Specialist, Massage Therapy, Nutrition and Food Service Management, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, and Public Relations diploma programs

**including: Advertising and Marketing Communications, Business - Insurance, Fitness and Health Promotion, Food Processing Technician, Journalism, Hearing Instrument Specialist, Massage Therapy, Nutrition and Food Service Management, Occupational Therapist Assistant and Physiotherapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, and Public Relations diploma programs

If you do not have the English language skills for direct entry into full-time post-secondary programs, you may choose to enter Conestoga's English for Academic Studies (EAS) program.

EAS equivalency chart

Please note: Conestoga College will continue to accept the Duolingo English Test as proof of English proficiency for the Fall 2024 intake. Effective January 2025, the Duolingo test will no longer be accepted as proof of English proficiency. To take the test, go to englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants. For score details, see Admission information - English language requirements.

Conestoga English LevelIELTS Academic
Overall Band
TOEFL iBTPearson Test of English
(PTE) Academic
Level 10-2.50-29 
Level 2
3.0-4.0
No band less than 2
30-45
Level 3
4.5-5.0
No band less than 4.5
46-6036-45
Level 4
5.0-6.0
No band less than 5
61-7946-52
Direct entry to most diploma & certificate programs*
6.0
No band less than 5.5
80
(Effective January 2024, no individual skill less than 20.)
53-57
Direct entry to graduate certificate and degree programs**
6.5
No band less than 6
88
(Effective January 2024, no individual skill less than 22.)
58-60
Please note: The above level equivalencies are subject to change. Each level is based on the 4-month English program. The length of time to complete the program varies by student, depending on effort and aptitude for learning the language.