Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UAF English requirements
From UAF's international student admission page. It names four accepted tests and gives overall scores only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.5, PTE 55, Duolingo 110 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.5, PTE 55, Duolingo 120 |
Exempt countries
UAF lists countries whose applicants are exempt from proof of English. The list includes Australia, the Bahamas, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada (except Quebec), Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and the United Kingdom. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are not on it.
The page lists no other alternatives, such as English-medium schooling, but says requests for exceptions to the policy can be emailed to the Office of Admissions.
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Transcripts and the I-20
Besides English, you send your secondary and university transcripts to a NACES-approved evaluator for a course-by-course report; Canadian transcripts (except Quebec) are exempt. Once you are admitted to a degree programme, UAF starts preparing your I-20.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UAF programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) 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 the University of Alaska Fairbanks require?+
IELTS 6.5 for international applicants.
What Duolingo score does UAF need?+
110 for undergraduates and 120 for graduate applicants.
Does UAF accept PTE?+
Yes, at 55.
Is India exempt from English tests at UAF?+
No. India is not on UAF's list of exempt countries, though you can email the Office of Admissions to request an exception.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- University of Alaska Anchorage IELTS requirement
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- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- 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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