Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
Saint Mary's minimums by level
From the College's international undergraduate admissions page and the international graduate applicant checklist. Neither page lists IELTS section minimums.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 or higher | Duolingo 105 or higher, Cambridge C1 or higher |
| Graduate and professional studies | 6.5 or higher | PTE 58 or higher, Duolingo 110 or higher (at least 90 in each section), TOEFL 79 or higher |
Waivers for undergraduates
The undergraduate page asks applicants from countries where English is not an official language to submit a test. It says the requirement may be waived if the medium of instruction for all years of high school was English, subject to verification by an admissions counsellor after your transcript arrives. The page also links a list of exempt countries.
Transfer applicants can meet the requirement with a B or better in a transferable English Composition course, not ESL, at an accredited US college or university.
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Graduate applicants and checking
The graduate checklist treats GRE and GMAT scores as optional but lists the English test with the other required documents. Saint Mary's is a separate institution from Saint Mary's University in Texas, so make sure you are reading the California pages.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Saint Mary's programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Saint Mary's College of California 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 Saint Mary's College of California need?+
IELTS 6.5 or higher for undergraduates, and 6.5 or higher on the graduate checklist.
Does Saint Mary's College accept PTE?+
The graduate checklist accepts PTE 58 or higher. The undergraduate page does not list PTE.
Can I skip the English test for undergraduate entry?+
Possibly. The page allows a waiver if all years of high school were taught in English, verified by an admissions counsellor.
What Duolingo score does Saint Mary's want?+
105 or higher for undergraduates. Graduate applicants need 110 or higher with at least 90 in each section.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Pepperdine University IELTS requirement
- California Lutheran University IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 5669 guides
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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