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PTE score for University of Alberta

University of Alberta accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 61 overall for undergraduate and 61 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.

Last verified 2026-06-23. Source: Language Requirements — University of Alberta

PTE Academic score requirements

Undergraduate

61

overall minimum

Listening60+
Reading60+
Writing60+
Speaking60+

No communicative skill below 60. Test results must be within the past 2 years.

Postgraduate

61

overall minimum

Listening60+
Reading60+
Writing60+
Speaking60+

Standard graduate minimum. Individual departments may require higher scores (e.g. MBA at Alberta School of Business requires 68). Always check your specific program page.

Visa note: Canadian study permits accept PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for admission. For Express Entry and other IRCC immigration programs, Canada requires PTE Core (not PTE Academic).

Requirements are set by University of Alberta and can change. Always verify at the Language Requirements — University of Alberta before applying.

PTE requirements by program and faculty

University of Alberta sets different PTE score thresholds depending on your program. The table below lists the most common bands — always confirm the exact requirement for your intended course.

Band / LevelOverallEach skillPrograms
Standard undergraduate6160+Most Bachelor programs
Standard graduate6160+Most Master's and PhD programs
MBA / Business6860+Alberta School of Business MBA and select business graduate programs

To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the University of Alberta Admissions and select your intended program.

What if your score is below the requirement?

A PTE score that is 2 to 5 points below the requirement is almost always a single-skill problem. One weak skill — commonly Writing or Speaking — pulls the overall score below the threshold while the other three are already sufficient.

The fastest path to closing that gap is identifying which skill is the bottleneck, then drilling it specifically. A free 10-minute diagnostic on this site identifies your weakest skill from your response patterns — no guessing, no wasted prep time.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 61 overall with no skill below 60, and for postgraduate programs 61 overall with no skill below 60.

For undergraduate entry at University of Alberta, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 61 with no skill below 60. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 61 overall with no skill below 60. Standard graduate minimum. Individual departments may require higher scores (e.g. MBA at Alberta School of Business requires 68). Always check your specific program page. Always confirm with University of Alberta directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.

Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Alberta require a PTE Academic overall score of 61 with per-skill minimums of Listening 60, Reading 60, Writing 60 and Speaking 60. Standard graduate minimum. Individual departments may require higher scores (e.g. MBA at Alberta School of Business requires 68). Always check your specific program page.

Canadian study permits accept PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for admission. For Express Entry and other IRCC immigration programs, Canada requires PTE Core (not PTE Academic).

If your current PTE score is below the University of Alberta requirement, there are two realistic paths. First, resit PTE Academic after targeted preparation focusing on your weakest skill (one low skill can pull your overall score significantly below the threshold). Second, check whether University of Alberta offers a conditional admission pathway through an English language pathway program, which allows entry at a lower score followed by an on-campus English course before your degree starts. The free diagnostic on this site identifies exactly which skill is holding your score back.

University of Alberta accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS. The tests measure the same skills but in different formats. PTE Academic is fully computer-delivered and AI-scored, which removes examiner variability from Speaking and Writing. Many candidates who find the IELTS Speaking interview stressful prefer PTE's recorded format. The best test for you depends on your strengths. Try a free PTE mock to see where you stand.

Ready to reach the University of Alberta requirement?

Take a free full-length PTE mock test. Get your predicted score across all four skills with a personalised study plan.

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