International Admissions Requirements

There are language requirements (below) for applicants whose first language is not English. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English competence. 

The IELTS test is preferred and strongly recommended.

• Students with an IELTS score of 6.5 and no band below 6.0 will be deemed to have satisfied the English language requirements for admissions to undergraduate programs at St. Francis Xavier University.
• Students with IELTS scores below 6.5 may be considered for admission conditional on the completion of a program designed to improve English language competency to an IELTS 6.5 equivalent.

Other acceptable tests are:

• MELAB (minimum score required is 90)
• TOEFL (minimum score required is 92)
• CAEL (minimum score required is 70)
• CAE - Cambridge English: Advanced (180 overall and no lower than 170 in each band)

Note: 

• All scores must be submitted using official documents (photocopies/scans will not be accepted).
• Students who have completed at minimum two years of study at an institution where English is the language of instruction will be considered for admission without a test score.

Learn more about English language tests.

 

Students who do not meet the minimum English language requirements:

Students who do not meet the minimum English language requirements are encouraged to enroll in StFX's English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program. The program is also suitable for:

• Students planning to enter university but who have not yet been accepted
• Students who have attained the required language test scores but who feel they need more intensive work in academic English and study skills in order to perform as well as possible in their credit courses
• Both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as those in high school and community college

Students in the EAP program experience life at university through organized visits to lectures on campus in different academic disciplines. Students are also encouraged to participate fully in the university experience through social and cultural activities. For more information on this program please contact StFX's Student Success Centre: ssc@stfx.ca.