
Canada · Ottawa
PTE score for University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 60 overall for undergraduate and 60 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums too (see below).
Last verified 2026-10-14. Source: Language Requirements: University of Ottawa
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
60
overall minimum
Direct entry: 60 overall with 60 in writing. Conditional admission with the English Intensive Program is possible below this.
Postgraduate
60
overall minimum
Graduate studies example minimum: 60 overall, no partial score below 59. Some programs require higher.
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 | 60 | W60 (no L/R/S minimum stated) | Direct-entry English programs |
| Teacher Education | 65 | 65+ | Teacher Education (professional program) |
| Standard graduate | 60 | 59+ | Graduate English programs |
| Telfer MBA / EMBA | 68 | Not stated | Telfer MBA and EMBANote: No per-skill minimum stated on the Telfer pages. |
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 60 overall with a minimum of Writing 60, and for postgraduate programs 60 overall with no skill below 59.
For undergraduate entry at University of Ottawa, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 60 with a minimum of Writing 60. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 60 overall with no skill below 59. Graduate studies example minimum: 60 overall, no partial score below 59. Some programs require higher. 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 60 with no skill below 59. Graduate studies example minimum: 60 overall, no partial score below 59. Some programs require higher.
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.
It depends on the course, because University of Ottawa sets its PTE bar by program. Its lowest listed band is 60 overall (Direct-entry English programs) and its highest is 68 overall (Telfer MBA and EMBA). So a score below one course's bar can still meet another's. If you are below the band for the course you want, 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 University of Ottawa whether it offers an English pathway program. Check the band for your exact course on University of Ottawa's English language requirements page.
Neither is easier in general: University of Ottawa accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS, and what matters is clearing its number for your course, for example 60 overall (a minimum of Writing 60) for most undergraduate programs and 60 overall (no skill below 59) for most postgraduate ones. 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 University of Ottawa's bar.
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