American University in Dubai IELTS Requirement: 6.5

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

AUD English scores

From AUD's undergraduate admissions page and graduate admissions page. Only overall scores are given.

Route	IELTS Academic	Other tests
Bachelor's (direct entry)	6.5	TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL ITP 550
Bachelor's with ENGL100 Developmental English	6.0	TOEFL iBT 68, TOEFL ITP 520
Below those scores	English Bridge programme	No degree courses until you progress
Master's	6.5	TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL ITP 550, EmSAT English 1550

Other tests and exemptions

AUD's admissions pages name TOEFL and Academic IELTS for undergraduates, and TOEFL, IELTS and EmSAT for graduate applicants. PTE and Duolingo are not listed. AUD is an authorised ETS TOEFL ITP test centre.

For master's study, an applicant with an English-medium bachelor's may be admitted without a test only if they did all their schooling (K-12) and their bachelor's in English in a reference English-speaking country such as Australia, New Zealand, the UK or the USA.

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When the score is due

Undergraduates must submit their scores before the semester starts. Final acceptance is granted once AUD has all documents, including official English translations.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your AUD programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.

Minimum vs competitive score

Where the American University in Dubai (AUD) 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 the American University in Dubai need?+

IELTS Academic 6.5 for bachelor's and master's admission, or TOEFL iBT 79.

Can I join AUD with IELTS 6.0?+

For a bachelor's, yes: you are accepted as a degree candidate and enrolled in ENGL100 Developmental English.

Does AUD accept EmSAT?+

Yes for master's programmes, at EmSAT English 1550. The undergraduate page lists TOEFL and IELTS.

Does an English-medium degree exempt me from IELTS at AUD?+

Only if you completed K-12 schooling and your bachelor's in English in a reference English-speaking country such as the UK or USA.

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.

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