English Language Requirements

Proof of English proficiency is required if English is not your first language and your university education was in a language other than English. You must furnish evidence of your proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score for the Faculty of Law is 109 for the internet-based version, with a minimum score of 25 for writing and speaking skills, 267 (computer-based) or 630 (paper-based). [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984. Please choose “Undergraduate Education,” not “Graduate Education” when submitting your request.] The TOEFL Test Center will send your scores to us electronically, but please also upload an unofficial copy of your TOEFL report to your OLSAS application using the Secure Applicant Messaging (SAM) tool in the OLSAS portal, so we have notice that the score has been finalized. We will then manually add your official TOEFL report received from the Undergraduate Education Office in our Registrar’s Office to your Law application. Application forms and additional information may be obtained from the TOEFL website.

  • The International English Language Testing Service Academic (IELTS Academic). The minimum acceptable score for the Faculty of Law is 8.0 out of 9. The IELTS is offered at multiple test centres worldwide. Information on IELTS may be obtained from the IELTS website. IELTS scores will be sent directly to Western University electronically. 

  • If you are unable to sit for the TOEFL or IELTS due to restrictions in your region, the Faculty of Law will accept the Duolingo English Test in lieu of IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum score acceptable for the Faculty of Law is 130. The Duolingo testing website is https://englishtest.duolingo.com/home. Please select “Western University” from the Institution list, and your score will be sent to us electronically.

Applicants will self-report test scores as part of the online application; however, official test scores must, without exception, be received before admission will be given.