Canada · Montreal
PTE score for McGill University
McGill University accepts PTE Academic for undergraduate admissions. The standard requirement is 65 overall with no skill below 60. PTE Academic is not accepted for graduate programs.
Last verified 2026-10-14. Source: English Proficiency: McGill University
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
65
overall minimum
Scores must be sent electronically by Pearson directly to McGill. All four communicative skills must be at least 60.
Postgraduate
Not accepted
PTE Academic is not accepted for graduate admission at McGill University. Use TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic.
PTE Academic is NOT accepted for graduate program admission at McGill University. Graduate applicants must use TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic.
Visa note: Canadian study permits accept PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for admission. For Express Entry and other IRCC immigration programs, Canada requires PTE Core (not PTE Academic). Note: McGill is in Quebec, which has separate immigration rules (CAQ required before study permit).
Requirements are set by McGill University and can change. Always verify at the English Proficiency: McGill University before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
McGill University sets different PTE score thresholds depending on your program. The table below lists the most common bands; always confirm the exact requirement for your intended course.
| Band / Level | Overall | Each skill | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard undergraduate | 65 | 60+ | All undergraduate programs across faculties |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the McGill Undergraduate Admissions and select your intended program.
What if your score is below the requirement?
A PTE score that is 2 to 5 points below the requirement is almost always a single-skill problem. One weak skill, commonly Writing or Speaking, pulls the overall score below the threshold while the other three are already sufficient.
The fastest path to closing that gap is identifying which skill is the bottleneck, then drilling it specifically. A free 10-minute diagnostic on this site identifies your weakest skill from your response patterns: no guessing, no wasted prep time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, for undergraduate admissions. McGill University in Montreal, Canada accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for undergraduate programs. The minimum requirement is 65 overall with no skill below 60. However, PTE Academic is not accepted for graduate (masters/PhD) admissions. Graduate applicants should use TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic.
For undergraduate entry at McGill University, you need a PTE Academic overall score of 65 with no skill below 60. Scores must be sent electronically by Pearson directly to McGill. All four communicative skills must be at least 60. PTE Academic is not accepted for graduate programs at McGill University. Always confirm with McGill University directly, as individual faculties can set higher requirements.
Canadian study permits accept PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for admission. For Express Entry and other IRCC immigration programs, Canada requires PTE Core (not PTE Academic). Note: McGill is in Quebec, which has separate immigration rules (CAQ required before study permit).
If you are below McGill University's requirement of 65 overall with no skill below 60, either resit PTE Academic after work on your weakest skill, since one low skill can pull your overall down (and fail any per-skill minimum), or ask McGill University whether it offers an English pathway program. Check your exact course on McGill University's English language requirements page.
Neither is easier in general: McGill University accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS (PTE for undergraduate programs only), and what matters is clearing its number for your course, 65 overall with no skill below 60 for undergraduate entry. PTE Academic is computer-delivered and scored by AI, and since August 2025 a human expert also reviews the content of seven task types; IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview. If a recorded format suits you better than an interview, PTE may be the easier fit. A free PTE mock shows where you stand against McGill University's bar.
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