Dalhousie English test minimums
Undergraduate scores are from Dalhousie's undergraduate English language requirements page; graduate scores are from the Faculty of Graduate Studies English requirements page. Undergraduate TOEFL is 90 with bands of 20 on the 1–120 scale, or 4.5 with Listening 4.5 and Reading, Speaking and Writing 4.0. Graduate TOEFL is 92 for tests before 21 January 2026, and 4.5 overall on the 1–6 scale after that.
Undergraduates can also use CAEL 70, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 180, the Michigan English Test 55, or Oxford ELLT 7 with no component below 6. Graduate alternatives are CAEL 70 with no band below 60 and MET 64 with no skill below 53.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, bands 6.0 | 90 (bands 20) or 4.5 (L 4.5, R/S/W 4.0) | 61, communicative skills 50 | 120 |
| Graduate (FGS minimum) | 7.0 (in person or online) | 92 or 4.5 | 65, nothing below 54 | Not listed by Dalhousie |
Validity, higher program scores and IELTS Online
Graduate: tests are accepted "up to two years after completion", and the faculty says some programs require higher scores than its minimums, so check your program page. IELTS Academic taken online is accepted for graduate admission. A graduate waiver is possible if your degree was taught in English in a country where English is an official language.
Undergraduate: IELTS results are emailed to international admissions for verification after you apply. A validity period, and a position on IELTS One Skill Retake, are not stated by Dalhousie on either page.
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Take a free scored IELTS mock →If your score is short: Dalhousie's English pathway
Undergraduates below the minimums may be offered conditional admission if they complete another test or an approved English pathway, such as Dalhousie's English for Academic Purposes program. Graduate applicants can meet the requirement with an A- in Dalhousie's English for Academic Purposes Level 2 course.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
Dalhousie's scores decide admission only. IRCC sets no minimum English score for a study permit; any language condition is written into your letter of acceptance (see IELTS for a Canada study permit). The Post-Graduation Work Permit is a separate test again: university graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills, proved with IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core, not IELTS Academic (see IELTS for the PGWP).
Frequently asked questions
Does Dalhousie accept PTE?+
Yes. Undergraduates need PTE Academic 61 with communicative skills of 50; graduate applicants need 65 with nothing below 54.
Does Dalhousie accept Duolingo?+
For undergraduate admission, yes: 120 overall. Duolingo is not on the Faculty of Graduate Studies test list.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at Dalhousie?+
At least IELTS Academic 7 overall, the Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum. Some programs require higher scores.
Does Dalhousie accept IELTS Online?+
For graduate admission, yes: the faculty lists IELTS Academic in person and online. The undergraduate page does not say.
Is the Dalhousie IELTS score the same as the study permit requirement?+
No. IRCC sets no minimum language score for a study permit; the university's score is an admission rule. The PGWP later needs CLB 7 for university graduates, on a General Training-type test.
Keep reading
Related
- McGill IELTS requirement
- Queen's University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Canada
- IELTS for a Canada study permit
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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