University of Alberta English test minimums
Undergraduate scores are from the U of A language requirements page; graduate scores are from section 5.8 of the Graduate Program Manual. TOEFL iBT is 90 with no section below 21 for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 with 4.5 in each section afterwards, at both levels.
Undergraduate Duolingo needs 120 with no integrated subscore below 100. CAEL needs 70 with no band below 60 at both levels. Cambridge C1/C2 needs 180 with 170 per skill for undergraduates, and 176 with 169 per subscore for graduates.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | 90 (21 each) or 4.5 (4.5 each) | 61, 60 each skill | 120, subscores 100+ |
| Graduate (FGSR minimum) | 6.5, 6.0 each band | 90 (21 each) or 4.5 (4.5 each) | 61, 60 each band | Not stated by U of A |
Spoken English, One Skill Retake and validity
Some undergraduate programs, such as Education and Nursing, also require spoken English proficiency: IELTS Speaking 7.5, TOEFL Speaking 26 (or 5.0), or Duolingo 140 with no integrated subscore below 120.
Undergraduate: IELTS can be taken in person or as IELTS Online, but One Skill Retake results are not accepted, and neither are TOEFL Essentials or the TOEFL Home Edition. Results more than two years old are not accepted. Graduate: departments "may require higher minimum scores", and scores older than two years cannot be verified. One Skill Retake is not stated by the graduate manual.
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The graduate manual lists completion of EAP 500, an intensive English course, as an alternative route for qualified applicants who have not met a test score.
Study permit and PGWP: separate rules
The University of Alberta'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: university graduates need CLB 7 in all four skills, proved with IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core, not IELTS Academic (see IELTS for the PGWP).
Frequently asked questions
Does the University of Alberta accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 61 with at least 60 in each skill, for undergraduate and graduate admission.
Does the University of Alberta accept Duolingo?+
For undergraduates, yes: 120 with no integrated subscore below 100. The graduate manual does not list Duolingo.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at U of A?+
The graduate minimum is 6.5 with 6.0 in each band; some departments set higher scores.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted at the University of Alberta?+
Not for undergraduate admission. The graduate manual does not state a position.
Is the University of Alberta IELTS score the same as the study permit requirement?+
No. IRCC sets no minimum language score for a study permit; the university's score is an admission rule. The PGWP later needs CLB 7 for university graduates, on a General Training-type test.
Keep reading
Related
- UBC IELTS requirement
- Duolingo to IELTS converter
- IELTS for Canada
- IELTS for the Canada PGWP
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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