English proficiency refers to an applicant's ability to speak, read, write and understand English as a part of their application for admission to York University. An applicant who does not have English as their first language is required to demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in English. This indicates that a student is prepared for the demands of university-level studies in English.

Applicants can demonstrate proficiency by proving they have completed a required number of years of studies in an English-medium education institution or through submitting English proficiency test results.

Applicants who decide to submit an English proficiency test score can choose from the list of York University-approved English language tests such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).