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INRS language requirements  

At INRS, French is the language of study, teaching, research and work. Consequently, members of the INRS community are encouraged to use quality French both orally and in writing.  

In order to comply with the requirements of the Charter of the French Language and to promote and enhance the use of French within its establishment, INRS is governed by a language policy which stipulates in particular that student candidates must have a functional knowledge of French.  

Certificate recognising the achievement of level B2 in French  

In order to meet INRS’s language requirements, student candidates who have not previously studied in French must provide an attestation recognizing that they have attained level B2 in French of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (subject to language requirements specific to certain programs of study requiring a level of attainment higher than B2).  

Exemptions

Special provisions

Exemptions  

Student candidates who meet one of the following criteria are exempt from this requirement:  

  • They have already passed the standard French test set by the ministry responsible for higher education.  
  • They have already met the French language proficiency requirement of another French-language university.  
  • They hold a university degree from a French-speaking university.  
  • They hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree earned mainly in French.  
  • They hold a French general education bachelor’s degree issued by a French Academy whether located inside or outside France.  

 

Special provisions

The INRS Language Policy provides that student candidates who do not have a working knowledge of French may be admitted by demonstrating a working knowledge of English, either through:  

  • an English-language university degree;  

or  

  • attainment of level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in the English language.  

Language tests accepted  

French language tests accepted

The tests accepted to demonstrate achievement of French language skills (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)) are:  

  • Test de connaissance du français – TCF* (French knowledge test)  
  • Test d’évaluation du français – TEF* (French assessment test) 
    • Test d’évaluation du français adapté au Québec – TEFAQ (French Assessment test adapted for Québec) 
    • Test d’évaluation du français – Canada  (French assessment test – Canada) 

 *Only oral and written comprehension skills are taken into account.  

  •  Diplôme d’études en langue française – DELF  
  •  Diplôme approfondi de langue français – DALF  

 

Test results are valid for two years.  

Accepted English language tests

The tests accepted to demonstrate achievement of English language skills (level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages CEFR) are:  

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language – TOEFL iBT  
    • a minimum score of 72 in this test is required to achieve level B2  
  • International English Language Testing System – IELTS Academic  
    • a minimum score of 5.5 on this test is required to reach level B2  
  • Pearson Test of English – PTE Academic  
    • a minimum score of 59 in this test is required to reach level B2  
  • Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test  
    • a minimum score of 60 in this test is required to reach level B2 

 

Test results are valid for two years  

Additional information