Canada remains one of the most trusted study destinations for international students in 2026. Strong academic standards, clear post-study pathways, and safe campuses continue to attract students from all over the world. One important change over the past few years is the wider acceptance of PTE Academic. Many universities and public colleges now allow students to use PTE instead of IELTS or TOEFL. If you are also planning to pursue this, here is a list of PTE-accepted colleges in Canada.
Pearson delivers PTE. It is fully computer-based and designed for academic admission. Before you start preparing with PTE Academic mock test, check this guide. Here you will see Canadian universities and colleges for the 2026 intake that accept PTE Academic. The list includes both research universities and public colleges.
Top 20 PTE Accepted Colleges in Canada (2026 intake)
The following institutions are widely recognized in Canada and remain popular choices for international students in the 2026 admission cycle.
| Name of College | Minimum PTE Score Requirement |
| University of Toronto | 65 |
| McGill University | 65 |
| University of British Columbia | 65 |
| McMaster University | 60 |
| University of Alberta | 61 |
| Université de Montréal | 50 |
| University of Waterloo | 63 |
| University of Ottawa | 60 |
| University of Calgary | 59 |
| Western University | 58 |
| Queen’s University | 60 |
| Simon Fraser University | 65 |
| University of Victoria | 65 |
| Dalhousie University | 65 |
| University of Saskatchewan | 63 |
| Université Laval | 60 |
| University of Guelph | 60 |
| York University | 60 |
| Carleton University | 60 |
| Memorial University of Newfoundland | 60 |
Source: visit here
Please note that you should always check your specific college page, as it is subject to change. These institutions remain among the most applied-to schools in Canada for international students preparing for the 2026 intake.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Selecting PTE Accepted Colleges in Canada
PTE acceptance is not decided by the Canadian government. It is set by each institution. More importantly, it is often set by each program. For example, a college may accept PTE for business programs. The same college may require higher scores for nursing or health sciences. Always check:
- Overall score
- Minimum score for speaking
- Minimum score for writing
- This avoids last-minute rejection.
Take a free mock test and check your scores for Canadian colleges
Universities and colleges do not use PTE in the same way:
Universities focus heavily on academic writing, research and presentations. Because of this, they usually expect stronger English control. Most top universities remain comfortable with applicants scoring above 60. Competitive programs often expect 65 or more.
Colleges follow a different learning model. They focus more on applied skills and workplace communication. Many public colleges still accept students around the 50 to 58 range. This depends strongly on the course.
High Scoring Preparation Strategy for PTE Accepted Universities in Canada For 2026 Applicants
- Begin with a real diagnostic test: Always start your preparation with a full mock test to identify scoring weaknesses, not just language gaps, so you can focus on tasks that actually influence your final score.
- Fix accuracy before speed: High scores come from clear pronunciation, stable sentence stress, and correct word endings, not from speaking fast or rushing through answers.
- Train integrated skills every day: Combine speaking, listening, and reading practice in the same session because one task directly contributes to more than one skill score in PTE.
- Avoid overusing memorized templates: Heavy templates can damage content relevance and coherence, especially when aiming for 65+, 79+ or competitive program cut-offs.
- Follow official test design closely: Your preparation must align with the scoring and task structure defined by Pearson, the official test owner of PTE.
- Simulate real exam pressure: Complete at least two full-length mock tests per week during your final month, strictly following real timing, task order and microphone setup.
- Track performance, not practice hours: Review your weakest question types after every mock and immediately adjust your study plan instead of repeating the same routines.
- Use realistic preparation platforms: Practicing on exam-style platforms helps build familiarity with scoring behavior, task flow and time pressure required for Canadian universities.
What To Choose for Canada- PTE Core or PTE Academic?
Alongside PTE Academic, many students now hear about PTE Core. PTE Core is a different English test created for immigration and workplace language assessment in Canada.
It is not designed for academic admission. In most cases, Canadian universities and colleges do not accept PTE Core for study programs.
Who should opt for PTE Core?
PTE Core is suitable for:
- People applying for Canadian permanent residence.
- Applicants entering immigration streams that accept PTE Core.
- Candidates who need proof of general English for settlement purposes.
Who should not choose PTE Core?
Students planning to apply to:
- Diploma programs.
- Undergraduate degrees.
- Postgraduate programs.
Start with 79Score for PTE accepted colleges in Canada and take your first step towards your study goals. Practice with full-length mock tests and focused section-wise tests that follow the real PTE format. Get accurate AI-based scoring to understand your performance and improve with confidence. Access 30,000+ practice questions to master the exam pattern and reach your target score faster. and take a free mock test now.
Also Read:
- Collocations For PTE: A Guide to Boost Your Score
- Top 10 PTE Practice Test Websites to Boost Your Exam Score
- 5 Best Alternatives to AlfaPTE For PTE Preparation
|
79Score
|
