Studying law at the graduate level requires a high level of academic language proficiency to support student success. Therefore, many applicants to courses, degree and diploma programs at OsgoodePD are required to submit language proficiency tests as evidence of their current level of academic English proficiency. Because language proficiency is an important indicator for prospective student success, we do not waive language proficiency requirements for individual applicants. Our language testing requirements are based on your previous university studies:
You must provide a language test if you have not completed at least one year of full-time study (or the equivalent in part-time study) at an accredited university where English is the only official language of instruction for the entire university.
- College programs do not meet this requirement
- Programs taught in English at universities where other languages are also used for instruction do not fulfil the language requirement, even if the program you completed was taught in English or the school or faculty you studied at teaches only in English.
In most cases, our team will be able to advise you whether a language proficiency test is required based on your CV and application documents. However, the final assessment of language requirements is done based on a full review of your academic documents by the graduate admissions team at York University.
Even if a language proficiency test is not required based on your previous academic history, our admissions committee has discretion to request that you provide a test in the following circumstances:
• You submit a test score that does not meet our minimum requirements.
• The committee determines, based on a review of your application, that a test is needed to assess your English proficiency.
We accept a variety of different language tests and, OsgoodePD and York University offer a number of program options to help you enhance your academic English proficiency. Accepted tests and program options are detailed below.
Professional LLM Academic Language Proficiency Tests and Minimum Scores
| Test Type | Test Score | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language *MyBest results is not accepted for this requirement | Internet Based iBT – 102-109 Home Based – 102-109 | TOEFL Website University Code 0894 | toefl@ets.org |
| IELTS – International English Language Testing System *Academic test only – general test will not be accepted | Academic Based – 7.5 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in reading and writing | IELTS website | ed@britcoun.org |
| Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law | Successful completion | OsgoodePD website | recruitment-opd@osgoode.yorku.ca |
| York University English Language Institute | IALE – with distinction GSP – with distinction AP – Level 9 with distinction EE – Level 6 with distinction | YUELI website | yueli@yorku.ca |
| CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment | 70 overall with no component less than 60 | CAEL Website | info@cael.ca |
| Duolingo | 140 overall with minimum of 130 in literacy and production | Duolingo Website | englishtest-support@duolingo.com |
Your official results must be sent electronically. Please allow up to three weeks processing time.
Conditional Offers of Admission for Applicants Who Require a Language Test
All applicants who required to submit proof of english language proficiency should be prepared to submit a language test with their application. In general, we will not review your application if a language test is required until it has been received.
There are three circumstances in which we may make conditional offers to students who require, but have not submitted language tests:
Early Applicants: We may make conditional offers of admission prior to receipt of language proficiency tests to applicants who apply by the early application deadline (January 15 for Fall applications and April 15 for Winter applications).
Applicants given a conditional offer will have a strict final deadline to submit official language test results:
Fall Applicants – April 1
Winter Applicants – June 1
Note: applying early does not offer a guarantee of conditional admission – the Committee may request that you submit a language test before they will consider your application.
Applicants Enrolled in York University English Language Institute (YUELI) Programs: We may make conditional offers of admission to applicants who are currently enrolled in York University English Language Institute (YUELI) Programs. The offer would be conditional pending acceptable grade (see table above). Applicants must provide proof of enrollment and confirmation from YUELI that they will have final grades before the program start date.
Current Students Enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law: We may make conditional offers of admission to applicants who are currently enrolled in Osgoode Professional Development’s Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law. The offer would be conditional pending completion of the diploma program before the beginning of the LLM program. Successful competition of the Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law meets English language proficiency requirement.
Single Course Enrollment Language Proficiency Tests and Minimum Scores
Single course enrollment applicants can demonstrate language proficiency using the same methods (and minimum scores) outlined above or may submit a current NCA Assessment letter which states that the language requirements have been met.
We do not make conditional offers of admission to Single Course Enrollment applicants. Proof of language proficiency is required at the time of application.
Graduate Diploma in Foundations of Canadian Law Language Proficiency Tests and Minimum Scores
| Test Type | Test Score | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – Paper Based *MyBest results is not accepted for this requirement | Internet Based iBT – 88 Home Based – 88 | TOEFL Website University Code 0894 | toefl@ets.org |
| IELTS – International English Language Testing System *Academic test only – general test will not be accepted | Academic Based – 7.0 overall | IELTS website University Code 0894 | ed@britcoun.org |
| York University English Language Institute | IALE – with honours GSP – With honours EE – Level 6 with honours | YUELI website | yueli@yorku.ca |
| CAEL – Canadian Academic English Language Assessment | 70 overall with no component less than 60 | CAEL Website | info@cael.ca |
| Duolingo | 130 overall with minimum of 120 in literacy and production | Duolingo Website | englishtest-support@duolingo.com |
Conditional Offers of Admission for Applicants Who Require a Language Test
All applicants who require a language test should be prepared to submit one with their application. In general, we will not review your application if a language test is required until it has been received.
There are two circumstances in which we may make conditional offers to students who require, but have not submitted language tests:
Early Applicants: We may make conditional offers of admission prior to receipt of language proficiency tests to applicants who apply by the early application deadline (January 15 for Fall applications and April 15 for Winter applications).
Applicants given a conditional offer will have a strict final deadline to submit official language test results:
Fall Applicants – April 1
Winter Applicants – June 1
Note: applying early does not offer a guarantee of conditional admission – the Committee may request that you submit a language test before they will consider your application.
Applicants Enrolled in York University English Language Institute (YUELI) Programs: We may make conditional offers of admission to applicants who are currently enrolled in York University English Language Institute (YUELI) Programs. The offer would be conditional pending acceptable grade (see table above). Applicants must provide proof of enrollment and confirmation from YUELI that they will have final grades before the program start date.
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