International Applicants

Outlined below are the minimum admission requirements set forth by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. Please review this information to ensure you are prepared with the knowledge necessary to succeed in your educational pursuits. Be sure to visit program-specific websites you are interested in applying to as each graduate program may have specific admissions requirements, including higher averages than the minimum.

Master’s Programs

Applicants must possess a four-year degree from a university, college or institute. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average across courses taken in the last two full-time years of the undergraduate degree. Equivalent qualifications may be considered based on the standards of the discipline or profession.

Doctoral Programs

Applicants must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent from a university, college or institute, and provide evidence of research potential. The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies requires at least a 70% average in the Master’s degree, as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory* achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score is 86, with no individual score below 20 for the internet based version, or 550 for the paper and pencil version, although some programs require a higher minimum score. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
• The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). The minimum acceptable score is 6 out of 9. The IELTS is offered in 6 test centres in the US and 3 in Canada.
• The Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) of the University of Michigan. Students must have at least 80 on each of the sections and an overall score of at least 85. Arrangements to write MELAB may be made online.
• The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 60. The CAEL Assessment is offered in several countries throughout the world as well as Canada.
• Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
  
• CultureWorks. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
• Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 5, Advanced Academic Preparation, with a minimum 80% in all components.

*Programs at Western may require a higher minimum score than those listed above.

Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB or CAEL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency. Those graduates from CultureWorks or Fanshawe College’s ESL Program must provide official proof of graduation.

Exemptions

Other formal evidence of graduate level proficiency in English may be considered in lieu of these test scores. Students must contact the graduate program(s) to which they have applied in order to determine if test scores will not be required. A decision will then be made at the discretion of the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies for exemption. For the French and Spanish programs only, evidence of proficiency in English is a degree requirement but not a requirement for admission.

International students at Western can take advantage of the International and Exchange Student Centre's (IESC) offerings - a full range of services and programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of international students and enhance their academic, social, and cultural experience at the university, including:

• International Student Pre-Arrival Guide - an online guide to assist students beginning their "Western" journey
• Reception and orientation service to assist and support newly arrived international students with questions about settling in
• Peer Guide Program, providing friendly support and assistance with cultural and transition issues
• Year-round social, cultural and informative events
• Individual assistance with Canadian immigration and employment regulations, financial, cultural, social and personal concerns
• English Conversation Program for students (and spouses) who want to enhance spoken English skills
• International Student Work Opportunities Program (ISWOP) - On-campus work study opportunities
• Volunteer opportunities to gain valuable experience in a cross-cultural setting

For more information, please visit International and Exchange Student Centre (IESC).

Western's English Language Centre allows academically eligible students interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western the opportunity to receive a conditional offer of admission to graduate studies without successful completion of an English language proficiency test. The condition is that the student must, in lieu of such a test, successfully complete Western English Language Centre's program. For more information, please visit http://englishlanguage.uwo.ca/.

The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies has a partnership with CultureWorks, an English Language training program on campus. This partnership allows academically eligible students interested in pursuing a graduate degree at Western the opportunity to receive a conditional offer of admission to graduate studies without successful completion of an English language proficiency test. The condition is that the student must, in lieu of such a test, successfully complete the CultureWorks English language training program.

The Teaching Support Centre offers communication and orientation programs for International Graduate Students at Western. These programs are designed to help international students make the transition to living in Canada, and they also allow students to develop English language skills for the classroom.

International Teaching Assistant Day is a half-day conference held in early September, while the other courses are offered at various times throughout the year.

The TSC also oversees Communication Strategies for International Graduate Students: Surviving and Thriving in Canadian Academia (CSIGS), an e-book primarily for international and newcomer Canadian graduate students to familiarize them with the norms of communication in Canada.

Western's Community Legal Services (CLS) offers legal services to assist you with:

Applications for Permanent Residency:

• Express Entry Profile posting assistance; PR applications through the Express Entry system for:
  • Federal Skilled Worker Program (for temporary residents with work experience)
  • Canadian Experience Class (for foreign workers with 1 year of Canadian work experience)
• Assistance and information for Provincial Nominee Programs including Master’s, PhD and Human Capital Priority streams
• Sponsorship of Spouse or Partner in Canada Class (by a permanent resident)

Also, CLS may assist with:

• Post Graduate Work Permit matters
• drafting and swearing affidavits and preparing notarized copies of documents as may be needed for Immigration application purposes

Immigration Group Information (IGI) sessions are scheduled monthly, and students can register via CLS Scheduler.

*UPDATE*
Individuals may open a file for assistance at CLS in two ways:

• after attendance at an Immigration Group Information (IGI) session; OR
• if, after successfully posting their profile, they have received an invitation to apply (ITA) or a notification of interest (NOI) from the Express Entry system.

For further information, please visit Community Legal Services (CLS) or call 519-661-3352.

Equity and Human Rights Services (EHRS) provides information on the University’s discrimination and harassment policies, employment equity and diversity and other human rights related issues. EHRS are here to help you, whether you are a student, staff or faculty member. EHRS are dedicated to making Western an equitable, safe and supportive environment for all members of the University community. Their service is confidential except in specific circumstances.

Equity and Human Rights Services also oversees Western's Multicultural Calendar.