Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Prairie College accepted tests
From Prairie College's international admissions page.
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5, no score below 6.0 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90, at least 21 in each section |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 180 |
Prior study in English
Instead of a test you can show three years of full-time secondary education where English was the language of instruction, or three years of post-secondary education at an approved institution taught in English. The page names no country limit, so English-medium schooling in India, Pakistan or Nigeria can count with the right documents.
PTE Academic and CAEL are not listed.
Free test: are you at Prairie College'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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Deadlines, deposit and how to check
Files must be in by 1 June for a September start and 1 October for a January start. The application fee is CAD 100, the tuition deposit after acceptance is CAD 500 and triggers your acceptance letter and Provincial Attestation Letter, and your account must hold a CAD 12,000 balance before classes. Practical Nurse, Music and Digital Media applicants submit extra items.
Requirements vary by program and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Prairie College 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 Prairie College 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 Prairie College need?+
IELTS 6.5 overall with no score lower than 6.0.
Does Prairie College accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo English Test 120.
Does Prairie College accept PTE?+
PTE is not listed. The accepted tests are Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 or C2.
When is the Prairie College deadline?+
1 June for September entry and 1 October for January entry.
Keep reading
Related
- Vanguard College IELTS requirement
- Ambrose University IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- IELTS for Canada: scores by university
- All 2279 guides
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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