AUArts IELTS Requirement: 6.5 for Bachelor's Degrees

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026

AUArts bachelor's English tests

From AUArts' English requirements for bachelor's degrees. You meet the requirement through one of three categories: an exemption, a pathway program or a test. AUArts' TOEFL institution code is 0595.

Test	Minimum
IELTS	6.5 overall
Duolingo English Test	120
PTE Academic or Online	56
TOEFL iBT (new scale)	B2 or 4.5 overall
TOEFL iBT (old scale)	83, with 20 in each section (or 220 computer-based)
CAEL or CAEL CE	70
Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency	176

Exemptions and pathway programs

High school route: at least two years of full-time instruction at a high school where English is the language of instruction, with at least 60 per cent in Grade 12 English or equivalent. Post-secondary route: one year of full-time study at an English-medium institution, with 60 per cent in Grade 12 English or in the highest English course completed. Neither route is tied to a country.

Pathways: completing the Oxford International Digital Institute's online Pre-Sessional English course or General English Level 5 at Anne's Language House also meets the requirement.

Free test: are you at AUArts's score yet?

Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.

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Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.

Portfolio and how to check

English is one part of the bachelor's application; AUArts also reviews academic results and a portfolio with a statement of intent. The page covers bachelor's degrees only, so MFA applicants should check the graduate admissions pages.

Requirements vary by program and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your AUArts program page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test. Admission scores are separate from immigration rules: see IELTS for a Canada study permit and IELTS for the Canada PGWP.

Minimum vs competitive score

Where Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.

Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.

If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.

Frequently asked questions

What IELTS does AUArts need?+

IELTS 6.5 overall for bachelor's degrees. No band minimums are listed.

Does AUArts accept Duolingo?+

Yes. Duolingo English Test 120 or higher.

Does AUArts accept PTE?+

Yes. PTE Academic or PTE Online 56 or higher. Pearson has discontinued PTE Academic Online for new bookings, so check an existing online result with admissions.

Can I skip the test with an English-medium school?+

Yes, with at least two years of full-time English-medium high school and 60 per cent in Grade 12 English, or one year of English-medium post-secondary study.

Keep reading

Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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