What IELTS score does Saint Mary's University in Halifax require?

Graduate scores older than two years are not acceptable, and all scores must come from one exam date, not combined with other dates; IELTS One Skill Retake is not mentioned by name. Upload the test taker copy so SMU can validate it. University English preparation courses from other institutions do not satisfy the graduate requirement. An undergraduate validity period is not stated by SMU.

Graduate applicants from a country not on SMU's exemption list, which does not include India or Pakistan, are exempt with a recognised degree of at least three full-time years taught solely in English plus a certified letter from the Registrar confirming English as the sole language of instruction. Undergraduates are exempt with graduation from an English-language secondary school.

Undergraduates can also meet the requirement by completing a university preparatory English program at one of SMU's recognised Languages Canada schools, including the Canadian Language Learning College, Halifax Language Institute of Canada and International Language Institute. Completing one earns six credit hours of advanced standing toward an SMU degree.

Saint Mary's'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. IRCC's PGWP eligibility page asks for CLB 7 in all four skills if you graduate with a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree, and CLB 7 too if you graduate from "any other university program", which must also be in an eligible field of study if you applied for your study permit on or after 1 November 2024. The lower CLB 5 applies only to college, polytechnic and other non-university programs. On IELTS General Training, CLB 7 is 6.0 in each skill (IRCC score table). The PGWP takes IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core, not IELTS Academic (see IELTS for the PGWP).