Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
ACT English scores
From ACT's English requirements page, undergraduate admissions, graduate admissions, and the programme listings for the MBA and the MS in Hospitality and Tourism.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (B2) | 5.5–6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 100, Cambridge 160–179, TOEIC 505–780 |
| Graduate, general (B2) | 5.5–6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 100, TOEIC 505–780 |
| MBA | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 (85 elsewhere on the page) |
| MS Hospitality and Tourism | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 90 |
Exemptions and interviews
Undergraduates taught mainly in English through secondary school are exempt. For graduate study, native speakers and holders of a bachelor's from an English-speaking institution are exempt. For the MBA and the MS in Hospitality and Tourism, an interview with the programme director can replace the test.
B2 certificates must be from the last three years; certificates above B2 can be older. ACT's admissions portal now brands its programmes as Anatolia American University.
Free test: are you at ACT's score yet?
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Deadlines and fee
Non-EU applicants for the autumn intake apply on a rolling basis by 30 April, with an extended deadline of 30 May; for spring, by 30 October. The application fee is €70.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your ACT programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT) 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 ACT Thessaloniki need?+
IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 (B2) for undergraduate and general graduate entry; 6.5 for the MBA and the MS in Hospitality and Tourism.
Does ACT accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 100 is the minimum.
How old can my IELTS be for ACT?+
B2 certificates must be from the last three years.
Is ACT the same as the American College of Greece?+
No. ACT is in Thessaloniki; the American College of Greece (Deree) is in Athens.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Greece
- American College of Greece IELTS requirement
- AUEB IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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