Is TOEFL accepted for a Canadian student visa in 2026?

Yes. IRCC accepts TOEFL scores for study visa applications, including the Student Direct Stream (SDS).

I took my TOEFL in 2025. Will my score still be valid for Canadian universities?

TOEFL scores are valid for admission to Canadian universities for two years. Most universities will accept your old 0–120 scale TOEFL scores.

What TOEFL score do I need for an MBA in Canada?

Top business schools like Ivey (Western University) or Rotman (University of Toronto )require a score equivalent to 5.0 on the new scale (previously 100). Check the specific school's website for exact requirements.

Is the TOEFL Home Edition accepted by Canadian universities?

Yes, many Canadian universities, including the University of Victoria and the University of Toronto, accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition for admission.

TOEFL Accepting Universities in Canada 2026

Almost all universities in Canada accept TOEFL scores as proof of English proficiency. Canadian universities set TOEFL cut-offs between 80 and 100 (4.0 to 5.0) and often specify section-wise requirements.

This blog provides a list of universities in Canada that accept TOEFL scores along with their programme-specific requirements.

Key Highlights:

More than 150 universities and colleges in Canada accept scores from the TOEFL exam for admission.
Competitive programmes such as MBA and Computer Science at top Canadian universities require TOEFL scores of 100 (5.0) or higher.
McGill University has one of the lowest TOEFL cut-offs (86) despite being the highest-ranked university in Canada.
The University of Waterloo has the highest section-wise requirements, with a minimum TOEFL score of 5.0 (25) in Writing and Speaking.

Understanding TOEFL Requirements for Canada

Many universities in Canada list the TOEFL scores as per the old 0-120 scale and the new 1-6 scale. Before you apply, review both the overall and section-wise TOEFL score requirements for your chosen programme.

Here’s a programme-wise breakdown of the average TOEFL cut-off for universities in Canada.

Undergraduate Programmes (Bachelor's)

Here are the minimum TOEFL score requirements for undergraduate programmes in Canada.

Target TOEFL score: 80-100 (4.0-5.0)
Section-specific scores: A minimum of 20 to 25 (4.0-5.0) in TOEFL Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections.

Master's Programmes

Here are the TOEFL score requirements for master’s programmes in Canada.

Minimum TOEFL score: 86–106 (4.5-5.0)
Program-Specific Variations: Humanities, Law, & Business programmes generally require minimum TOEFL scores of 100 or above.

Doctoral Programmes (PhD)

Here are the TOEFL score requirements for doctoral programmes in Canada.

Minimum TOEFL score: 90-100 (4.5-5.0)
Section-specific scores: Many universities require a TOEFL score of 22(4.0) or higher in the writing and speaking sections.

TOEFL Accepting Universities in Canada

Canada is home to more than 150 universities that accept TOEFL scores for admission.

The table below includes some of the top TOEFL-accepting universities in Canada.

University Name	University Name	University Name
University of Toronto	The University of British Columbia	University of Alberta
Humber College	Centennial College	York University
George Brown College	Memorial University of Newfoundland	University of Waterloo
McGill University	University of Windsor	Conestoga College
University of Calgary	Concordia University	University of Victoria
Lambton College	Dalhousie University	McMaster University
Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology	Canadore College	Queen's University
Langara College	University of Ottawa	Thompson Rivers University
Fanshawe College	University of Saskatchewan	Toronto Metropolitan University
Durham College	Carleton University	Western University

Top Canadian Universities Accepting TOEFL

Top Canadian universities generally accept TOEFL scores between 4.0 and 5.0 (80-100), making them slightly more accessible than US Ivy League institutions that require a TOEFL score of 5.0 (100) or higher.

Check out the table below for a complete breakdown of leading Canadian universities and their specific TOEFL requirements.

University	QS Ranking 2026	Required TOEFL Score
McGill University	27	4.5 (86-90)
University of Toronto	29	4.5 (89)
University of British Columbia (UBC)	40	4.5 (90)
University of Alberta	94	4.5 (90)
University of Waterloo	119	4.5 (90)

Let’s learn more about the top TOEFL-accepting universities in Canada in detail.

1. McGill University

McGill University requires a TOEFL score of 90 (4.5) for undergraduate programmes and 86 (4.5) for graduate programmes. However, the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Computer Science require a minimum score of 100.

Programme Level	TOEFL Requirement
B.E. / B.Tech	Overall 4.5 (90) with 4.5 (21) in each section
MS	Overall 5.0 (100) with 4.5 (22) in each section
MBA/PGDM	Overall 5.0 (100) with 4.5 (20) in each section
MIM	Overall 86 (4.5) with 4.5 (20) in each section

2. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto has lowered its undergraduate TOEFL requirement from 100 to 89 (4.0) since 2023. Some graduate programmes require a TOEFL score of 93 (4.5) or higher, while the Rotman School of Management requires a minimum TOEFL score of 4.5 as per the new scale (you need a TOEFL score of 100 if you took the exam before 21 January,2026).

Programme Level	TOEFL Requirement
B.E. / B.Tech	Overall 89 (4.5) with 22 (4.5) in Writing & Speaking
MS	Overall 93 (4.5) with 22 (4.5) in Writing & Speaking
MBA/PGDM	Overall 86-94 (4.5) with 22 (4.5) in Writing & Speaking
MIM	Overall 100 (5.0) with 22 (4.5) in Writing & Speaking

3. University of British Columbia (UBC)

The University of British Columbia requires a TOEFL score of 4.5 (90) for most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. You need at least 100 (5.0) or higher to study Computer Science or business programmes at UBC.

Programme Level	TOEFL Requirement
B.E. / B.Tech	Overall 4.5 (90) (Reading: 4.5/22, Writing: 4.5/21, Speaking: 4.0/21, Listening: 5.0/22)
MS	5.0 (100)
MBA/PGDM	5.0 (100)
MIM	5.0 (100)

4. University of Alberta

The University of Alberta has a TOEFL cut-off score of 90 (4.5) for most programmes, with a minimum TOEFL score of 4.5 (21) in every section. The minimum TOEFL requirement for the Alberta School of Business is 5.0 (100).

Programme Level	TOEFL Requirement
B.E. / B.Tech	Overall 4.5 (90) with 4.0 (21) in each section
MS	Overall 4.5 (90) with 4.0 (21) in each section
MBA/PGDM	Overall 5.0 (100) with 4.0 (21) in each section
MIM	Overall 5.0 (100) with 4.0 (21) in each section

5. University of Waterloo

The minimum TOEFL requirement for most programmes at the University of Waterloo is 4.5(90) overall, with a minimum of 5.0 (25) in writing and speaking. If you have taken multiple TOEFL tests, you'll need to submit scores from each test.

Programme Level	TOEFL Requirement
B.E. / B.Tech	Overall 4.5 (90) with 5.0 (25) in Writing & Speaking
MS	Overall 4.5 (90) with 5.0 (25) in Writing & Speaking
MBA/PGDM	Overall 4.5 (90) with 5.0 (25) in Writing & Speaking
MIM	Overall 4.5 (90) with 5.0 (25) in Writing & Speaking

From the Desk of Yocket

Many students focus only on meeting the minimum TOEFL score listed by Canadian universities. However, aiming 5–10 points above the stated TOEFL requirement can strengthen your application, especially for competitive programmes and merit-based scholarships.

At Yocket Prep, you get personalised learning plans, expert guidance, and targeted practice tailored to your goals. With the right preparation strategy in place, you can work towards your target score more confidently.