For admission into a Master’s program, most programs will require the equivalent to a university’s 4-year Honours Bachelor's degree with a minimum Ontario grade of B+ or 77% in the last two years of full-time study. Some programs may require higher or lower averages. 

All international degrees and grades will be converted into the Ontario equivalent to determine admission eligibility. For a list of country equivalences, please review our international credential equivalencies chart. 

Proficiency in English usage, both written and oral, is essential to pursue graduate studies at Trent University. It is required for applicants to demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency, regardless of their citizenship status or country of origin. 

The following tests are acceptable forms of proof of English language proficiency:

• TOEFL iBT, iBT Home Edition, iBT Paper Edition (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The minimum acceptance score is 4.5 (with a minimum score of 4.5 in writing and 4.0 in speaking). For tests taken prior to January 1, 2026 the minimum acceptance score is 93 (with a minimum score of 22 in both speaking and writing). Trent University's Institution Number for official TOEFL test result submission is 0896.
• CAEL or CAEL online (Canadian Academic English Language Test). The minimum acceptable score is 60, with at least 60 in Writing Proficiency.
• IELTS (International English language Testing Services) - Academic testing. The minimum acceptance score is 6.5, with no band below 6.0.
• PTE Academic In-person or Online. The minimum acceptable overall score is 60, with no sub-score below 60
• Cambridge English Qualifications. C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Advanced English). The minimum overall score of 176 with no sub-score below 169.

Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of application submission to be considered.  Trent University reserves the right to request English language proficiency results from any applicant.  

• Please note: Duolingo is not accepted by the School of Graduate Studies at Trent.

Applicants must make their own arrangements for taking language tests and having the results sent to the School of Graduate Studies in time to meet application deadlines.

English Proficiency Exemptions:

Applicants who completed two or more years of post-secondary education at a university in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the USA are exempt from this requirement. 

If you have completed two or more years of post-secondary education in a non-exempt country at a university where the primary language of instruction is English, the School of Graduate Studies is prepared to consider alternate proof of English language proficiency. 

• Examples: letter or document from the post-secondary institution confirming the language of instruction is English or a copy of your transcript that specifically states on it that the language of instruction is English

Exemption documents should be uploaded through the myTrent portal > Academics > Admissions > Graduate Applications Documents Upload (cloud icon) > under the English proficiency test result option. 

Post-secondary transcripts gained outside of Canada may be subject to a request to be authenticated by World Education Services (WES) or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report from Comparative Education Service (University of Toronto).

Some international applicants may find it difficult to get transcripts from their previous institutions. In these cases we encourage applicants to use the verification services of an organization such as WES or ECA. Trent University will accept documents verified by WES or ECA. Once received from WES or ECA, authenticated transcripts will be assessed by the Trent University School of Graduate Studies for eligibility. Eligible applications will be evaluated by the appropriate graduate program.  All admission decisions are final; there is no appeal of admission decisions.

As an international student there are obligations that must be met in regard to allow for entry and study in Canada. International applicants requiring a study permit to study in Canada should apply to their program at least four to six months prior to the start date.

For detailed information on study permits and documentation required by individuals to enter Canada to study, prospective students should consult the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website. Processing times vary for study permit applications at visa offices outside Canada. 

Recent changes to study permit processing now include a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) for graduate students. Please review our policy on obtaining a PAL. 

Students who may be younger than 19 years old when entering Canada to study should consult their local consulate regarding the documentation necessary to establish legal guardianship while in Canada until such time as they reach the age of 19 years old. The university cannot act as a legal guardian for a student.

Trent International is the central support office for all international, English as a Second Language, and Exchange students at Trent. International students are encouraged to contact them for information regarding entering Canada if an offer of admission has been granted. They provide pre-arrival and arrival advising and support, immigration advice, administer the University Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), offer international student-specific workshops, advise on the post-graduate work program and host social and cultural events. Information about study permits can be found on Trent International's Immigration Basics: Study Permits website. 

As per the IRCC website, PALs are not required for applications to Master's or Ph.D. programs beginning January 1st 2026. As such, the School of Graduate Studies will not be issuing these documents for these programs moving forward unless otherwise noted by IRCC. 

PALs are required for those who have accepted an offer to the Pre-Master's or Graduate Diploma programs. If you have received an offer of admission to one of these programs and are applying for a study permit, following the acceptance of your offer, you will be issued a PAL. When your PAL is ready you will be notified by email to download it from your MyTrent portal. We do not send these documents by email. 

If you have any questions pertaining to PALs, please email graduateadmissions@trentu.ca. If you require further assistance regarding the immigration process for visa or study permit processes, please reach out to our international team at internationaladvising@trentu.ca. You can also visit our immigration basics webpage for more information.

Additional information in regard to international student enrollment is provided as a regular part of the admissions and registration processes.

Non-Canadian students should note that the university is required to charge a differential tuition fee for all international students.

Should international students encounter problems with immigration once they are in Canada, they should contact the Trent International Program office immediately.

Q: Can I submit a World Education Services (WES) Evaluation?

• Yes. Trent University will accept documents verified by WES (World Education Services). Once received from WES, authenticated transcripts will be assessed by the Trent University School of Graduate Studies for eligibility. We must receive the official document directly from WES. Please ensure that you have selected the ICAP Package (International Credential Advantage Package) and that WES provides a course by course evaluation.

Q: Do you accept an ECA (Education Credential Assessment) report and duplicate copies of my official transcripts from CES (Comparative Education Service)?

• Yes, we will accept a copy of your ECA report and official transcripts sent directly to the School of Graduate Studies by Comparative Education Services.

Q: I am working with an agency to submit my application. How do I inform Trent University School of Graduate Studies?

• Applicants can authorize an agent/agency to communicate on their behalf about their application. The applicant must fill out an Agent Authorization Form. This form can be found through myTrent portal > Academic > Forms > Agent Authorization Form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that this form is filled out. We are unable to communicate with your chosen agent until this form is received.

Q: I am a Permanent Resident; do I need to complete the English proficiency test?  

• The requirement to complete the English proficiency test will be decided on a case-by-case basis for applicants who are Permanent Residents.
• *Please note that Trent University reserves the right to request English language proficiency results from any applicant. If this is required, The School of Graduate Studies will notify the applicant accordingly. 

Q: Can I get a hard copy of my offer letter to obtain my study permit or for other purposes?

• Please be advised that The School of Graduate Studies no longer provide hard copies of offer letters by means of postal service. Your letter of offer is sent to you by email; you are able to print this document and use it for obtaining your study permit or other purposes.

Q: Do you provide unconditional offer letters or travel letters for entry into Canada?

• Our office does not issue travel documents. If an offer of admission is made, a letter of admission is provided to international students which may include conditions. This letter serves as your official offer letter for entry purposes, and a conditions met email will be provided at a later time once your official documents are submitted and reviewed, which together can be used for study permit applications. If a co-op placement is required as part of your program, this will also be listed in your original offer of admission.
•  Please contact Trent International at international@trentu.ca for further advice on immigration matters and to confirm which documents you may require. 

Q: As an International student, can I get a scholarship to cover all my tuition and living costs while attending Trent University?

• At Trent, eligible graduate students may be offered competitive funding for support in their studies. However, funding offered is not intended to cover living costs and all fees.
• Finances are an important part of an international student's journey in Canada. This often includes learning how to budget, and navigating systems for transferring money outside of your home country. Students are expected to be aware of tuition fees, and have sufficient funds to cover their living costs while attending Trent University. Students are encouraged to review the expected costs associated with living abroad.
• Non-Canadian students should note that the university is required to charge a differential tuition fee for all International students. Please visit our international page for more information.