International Students (Non-US)
International Admission Requirements
If you're looking for a world-class education in an engaging environment, you've come to the right place. TWU's professors are leaders in their fields and our campus is in one of the best locations in Canada.
TWU is recognized under the B.C. Ministry of Advanced Education's Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation for providing quality post-secondary education.
Below you'll find important information about getting into TWU. For more programming details, please visit our International Student Resources or contact our Admissions office.
Also, learn about applying for a Study Permit to study in Canada.
General Certificate of Education
Students must have standing in five subjects of which at least two must be taken at the Advanced level.
Students may be eligible for three semester hours of credit for each Advanced level course completed to a maximum of 12 semester hours provided that a minimum grade of C is achieved in that course. Departments will determine if the credit awarded is general or course-specific.
The following equivalents will be considered:
- School Certificate: same as GCE with at least two passes at the principal level of the Higher School Certificate.
- Certificate of matriculation from recognized universities.
- International Baccalaureate with at least two subjects at the higher level.
- Other countries: write or email the Admissions Office for information.
Documents
Official supporting documentation must be submitted. Documents that cannot be replaced should be sent via registered mail.
Items submitted to TWU Admissions become property of Admissions at Trinity Western University and will not be returned under any circumstances.
English Language Proficiency Requirement for Undergraduate Students
English is the language of instruction at TWU. All applicants must demonstrate English Language Proficiency in both oral and written academic English.
Here are the eight ways to meet TWU’s English Language Proficiency Requirement:
1. Submit official TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English Qualifications, PTE Academic, CAEL, or Duolingo exam results, meeting the admission requirements in the table below. Test results are valid for admission to TWU for up to two years from the examination date. Tests taken more than two years prior will not be valid for admission. These results must be submitted at the time of application.
|
Test/Curriculum |
Minimum score |
|
| TOEFL | Test of English Foreign Language Internet-Based Test. To send TOEFL results directly to Trinity Western University and receive them more quickly, students should use code 0876. | Overall Score 88 or higher with minimum score of 20 in each band |
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System (Academic) | Overall score 6.5 or higher with minimum score of 6.0 in Writing/Reading and 5.5 in Speaking/Listening |
| Cambridge English Qualifications | B2 First, C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency are designed for use by further and higher education institutions for a variety of purposes. Cambridge English certificates do not expire. | 176 or higher (Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency ) |
| CAEL | Canadian Academic English Language Assessment *Testing is offered at TWU’s Langley campus |
Overall score 70 or higher with minimum score of 60 in each band |
| PTE Academic | PTE Academic is a computer-based English language test. It lasts approximately 3 hours. | 58 or higher with minimum score of 50 in each band |
| Duolingo English Test | The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on-demand, in under an hour. The test is taken via a computer with a camera and includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with Trinity Western University when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session. |
Overall score 110 or higher with minimum score of 95 in Literacy/Comprehension and 90 in Conversation/production As of 2024-2025 Academic Year: Both video interview and writing sample should clearly demonstrate strong English language skill. |
2. Trinity Western University has developed multiple pathways for Undergraduate students to study English at the University. Completion of these programs meets the English Proficiency requirement. These programs include U1 (University Transition) at our Langley campus and TLC (Trinity Language Center) both at Langley and Richmond campuses. Students entering via TLC will be assessed for English skills during Orientation and students will be placed in the appropriate level.
3. Complete three consecutive years of full-time high school or post-secondary education in English within Canada or approved countries immediately prior to enrolment at TWU. Approved countries are: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Anguilla, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Trinidad, Tobago, Caicos and Turks, the Bahamas and Bermuda. Or complete three consecutive years of full-time high school or post-secondary education in an internationally recognized English curriculum within the following countries immediately prior to enrolment at TWU: South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Please provide a school issued document confirming English as the medium of instruction. A school profile may also be required.
4. Complete four consecutive years of full-time high school or post-secondary education in a North-American curriculum, where English is the principal language of instruction (outside of approved countries) immediately prior to admission to TWU.
5. Achieve a final grade of 4 or better on the AP (Advanced Placement English Language and Composition or AP Literature & Composition.
6. Achieve a final grade of 3 or better on the IB English 12 A1 or A2 (HL) or a final grade of 4 or better on the IB English 12 A1 or A2 (SL) or IB English 12 B with a grade of 4 or better.
7. Achieve a final grade of C or better on the GCSE O-Level English Language-A.
8. Achieve a final grade of B or higher in six credits of post-secondary studies in English courses in an approved English-speaking country equivalent to TWU ENG103 and TWU ENG 104.
Academic ESL Requirements
Students whose TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL scores do not meet the minimum requirement but who qualify academically to attend TWU may seek entrance to the University through the Trinity Language Centre (TLC) program at Trinity Western Richmond. These students must register with TLC and will be assessed regarding their English skills during Orientation, at which time they will be placed in the appropriate ESL level. Upon completion of level 5, they may enrol in a degree program without a TOEFL, IELTS or CAEL score.
International Transfer Credit Evaluations
Transfer credit from international schools must be assessed by an external international credit evaluation agency. All transcripts sent to an international credit evaluation agency must be official documentation. International evaluation reports that are based on unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for transfer credit.
To avoid delays in receiving transfer credit, students should submit an international credit evaluation report during the admission process. The cost is determined by the agency.
TWU recommends the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES) through BCIT, a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada. This agency conducts evaluations for several B.C. universities. They may be contacted at www.bcit.ca/ices
Students are welcome to use World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS), International Credentials Assessment Services, or any evaluation agency that is a member of the Alliance of Credential Services of Canada.