Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
NABA Bachelor of Arts English scores
From NABA's entry requirements page, which covers the Bachelor of Arts only and says NABA programmes are taught in Italian or English. No band minimums are given.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts taught in English | 5.0 overall (Academic or General) | PTE Academic 36 to 42; TOEFL iBT 45; Cambridge 160; Linguaskill 160; Oxford Test of English 97 |
Other tests and exemptions
Also accepted: Aptis ESOL at B1 to B2, TOEIC (Listening and Reading 680 or more, Speaking and Writing 280 or more), Trinity ISE Level I passed with distinction in all four skills, BIEB with 18 out of 20 in each skill, and the Oxford ELLT Digital at level 4. The page lists several school-leaving certificates as well, such as the European Baccalaureate and the German Abitur.
Native speakers are exempt. So are students whose high-school diploma came from a programme taught in English, subject to verification by the Admission Office.
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Timing, visa and how to check
The certificate must be submitted within one month before the programme begins and must not be older than 2 years. Non-European applicants must also complete pre-enrolment on the UniversItaly platform, which the page calls mandatory and says is usually submitted between March and November. The page says the study visa usually takes 90 days.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your NABA programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where NABA (Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti Milano) 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 score does NABA need?+
IELTS 5.0 overall, Academic or General, for the Bachelor of Arts taught in English.
Does NABA accept PTE Academic?+
Yes. The page lists PTE Academic at 36 to 42 for the Bachelor of Arts.
How old can my NABA English certificate be?+
No older than 2 years, and it must be submitted within one month before the programme begins.
Does NABA publish a master's IELTS score?+
Not on the entry requirements page read for this guide, which covers the Bachelor of Arts only. Ask NABA admissions for your master's programme.
Do I need pre-enrolment as a non-European applicant?+
Yes. The page says pre-enrolment on UniversItaly is mandatory for non-European students, and visas are released once it is complete.
Keep reading
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Guide updated on 4 November 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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