If an applicant’s first language is not English, official reports with acceptable scores from the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the CanTest, the International English Language Training Systems (IELTS) or the Canadian Academic English Language Test (CAEL) must be submitted. Applicants who do not verify their ability to undertake studies in English by submitting such test scores will not be offered admission.
Applicants who meet our admission requirements but whose English skills do not meet language requirements are referred to one of the several language schools in Halifax for assessment.
The following table indicates the English language requirements for international student admission to Mount Saint Vincent University:
| Test | Score | Admission |
| TOEFL (Written Test) | ||
|
|
580 or higher | Full-time at the Mount |
| 576 – 579 | Graduate Preparatory Program | |
| 550 – 575 | Mount Bridging Program with one university level course | |
| TOEFL (Computer Test) | ||
| 237 or higher | Full-time at the Mount | |
| 226 – 236 | Graduate Preparatory Program | |
| 214 – 225 | Mount Bridging Program with one university level course | |
| TOEFL (iBT Test) | ||
| 93 or higher (no individual score below 23) | Full-time at the Mount | |
| 86 – 92 (no individual score below 21) | Graduate Preparatory Program | |
| 80 – 85 (no individual score below 20) | Mount Bridging Program with one university level course | |
| IELTS | ||
| 7.0 or higher (no individual score below 6.5) | Full-time at the Mount | |
| 6.5 (no individual score below 6.0) | Graduate Preparatory Program | |
| 6.0 (no individual score below 5.5) | Mount Bridging Program with one university level course | |
| CanTest | ||
| 4.5 (no individual score below 4.0) | Full-time at the Mount | |
| 4.0 (no individual score below 3.5) | Graduate Preparatory Program | |
| MELAB | ||
| 85 or higher | Full-time at the Mount | |
| 80 – 84 | Graduate Preparatory Program | |
| 76 – 80 | Mount Bridging Program with one university level course | |
| CAEL | ||
| 70 or higher (no individual score below 70) | Full-time at the Mount | |
| 60 | Graduate Preparatory Program OR Mount Bridging Program with one university level course |
|
Graduate Preparatory Program
Students conditionally admitted to a graduate program of study, who have an IELTS score between 6.5 and 6.9 or the equivalent, will be required to successfully complete the Graduate Preparatory Program (GPP). The GPP is designed to ensure that incoming graduate students have a high level of English language proficiency and a strong orientation to Canadian academic culture. The GPP consists of an intensive term-long 15 hour/week program offered by the International Education Centre (IEC) and an undergraduate academic course. The course is determined by the Graduate Admissions Committee for the student’s intended program of study and indicated on the student’s data form. This course is normally taken concurrently with the IEC program.
In order to successfully complete the GPP, students must achieve a minimum final grade of 75 percent in the IEC program and a minimum grade of B in the specified undergraduate academic course.
- Students who successfully complete both components of the Graduate Preparatory Program may commence their graduate program in the following term.
- Students who fail to meet both required components will not be admitted to their graduate program.
- Students who are successful in only one component may apply to be conditionally admitted to their program of study by submitting an appeal to the Graduate Studies Program and Policy Committee.
- Students may apply for admission to a different academic program without approval from the Graduate Studies Program and Policy Committee.
Refer to Language Requirements for more information.