English Language Proficiency Requirements

Undergraduate Admission Requirements:

The following methods for satisfying the English Language Proficiency Requirements for incoming students to the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) program include:

  • TOEFL iBT: minimum of 90, with no less than 21 on each band or equivalent. We are now also accepting the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): a score of at least 6.5, with no band less than 6.0
  • Duolingo English Test: a score of at least 120 for English Language Proficiency, with no subscore below 100
  • CAEL (the Canadian Academic English Language assessment exam): a score of at least 70, with no band less than 60
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency (Certificate of Proficiency in English): a score of at least 180, with no less than 170 in each skill
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced (Certificate in Advanced English): a score of at least 180, with no less than 170 in each skill
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): a score of at least 61, with no less than 60 in each communicative skill

NOTE : The TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) and TOEIC are not recognized by the University of Alberta and cannot be accepted as proof of English language proficiency for admission.

As professional program that is part of a quota Faculty, the Alberta School of Business requires that English Language Proficiency be met. Unless specifically agreed upon, no exceptions will be made. Please see the official Language Requirements for undergraduate admission for more information and all acceptable methods for fulfilling University of Alberta ELP standards.

Graduate Admission Requirements:

The following methods for satisfying the English Language Proficiency Requirements for incoming students to the Alberta School of Business MBA program include:

  • TOEFL iBT: minimum of 100, with no less than 21 on each band or equivalent. We are now also accepting the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): a score of at least 7.0, with no band less than 6.0
  • Duolingo English Test: a score of at least 120 for English Language Proficiency, with no subscore below 100
  • CAEL (the Canadian Academic English Language assessment exam): a score of at least 70, with no band less than 60
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): an overall score of at least 68

Furthermore, students from select countries may demonstrate English Language Proficiency through confirmation of sufficient English language coursework at the secondary school level.

For the official English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate students and all ways to satisfy those requirements, please visit the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website. Unless specifically agreed upon in advance, this requirement cannot be waived for incoming exchange applicants.