Canada — Ottawa
PTE score for University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 58 overall for undergraduate and 58 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.
Last verified 2026-06-23. Source: Language Requirements — University of Ottawa
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
58
overall minimum
Standard undergraduate entry. Teacher Education programs require 65 in each of the four skills. Ottawa is a bilingual university (English and French programs available).
Postgraduate
58
overall minimum
PTE Academic is accepted. Specific requirements vary by program. Telfer School of Management programs (MHA, MSc Management) require 68. Always check your specific program page.
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: Ottawa is in Ontario, but the university offers programs in both English and French.
Requirements are set by University of Ottawa and can change. Always verify at the Language Requirements — University of Ottawa before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
University of Ottawa 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 | 58 | 58+ | Most Bachelor programs (English-language stream) |
| Teacher Education (UG) | 65 | 65+ | Bachelor of Education and Teacher Education programs |
| Standard graduate | 58 | 58+ | Most Master's and PhD programs |
| Telfer Business (PG) | 68 | 60+ | Telfer School of Management graduate programs (MHA, MSc Management) |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the University of Ottawa Study 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. University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Canada accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 58 overall with no skill below 58, and for postgraduate programs 58 overall with no skill below 58.
For undergraduate entry at University of Ottawa, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no skill below 58. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 58 overall with no skill below 58. PTE Academic is accepted. Specific requirements vary by program. Telfer School of Management programs (MHA, MSc Management) require 68. Always check your specific program page. Always confirm with University of Ottawa directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Ottawa require a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with per-skill minimums of Listening 58, Reading 58, Writing 58 and Speaking 58. PTE Academic is accepted. Specific requirements vary by program. Telfer School of Management programs (MHA, MSc Management) require 68. Always check your specific program page.
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: Ottawa is in Ontario, but the university offers programs in both English and French.
If your current PTE score is below the University of Ottawa requirement, there are two realistic paths. First, resit PTE Academic after targeted preparation focusing on your weakest skill (one low skill can pull your overall score significantly below the threshold). Second, check whether University of Ottawa offers a conditional admission pathway through an English language pathway program, which allows entry at a lower score followed by an on-campus English course before your degree starts. The free diagnostic on this site identifies exactly which skill is holding your score back.
University of Ottawa accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS. The tests measure the same skills but in different formats. PTE Academic is fully computer-delivered and AI-scored, which removes examiner variability from Speaking and Writing. Many candidates who find the IELTS Speaking interview stressful prefer PTE's recorded format. The best test for you depends on your strengths. Try a free PTE mock to see where you stand.
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