Canada · Calgary
PTE score for University of Calgary
University of Calgary accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 60 overall for undergraduate and 59 overall for postgraduate programs, with no per-skill minimum stated.
Last verified 2026-10-14. Source: English Language Proficiency: University of Calgary Academic Calendar
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
60
overall minimum
All other undergraduate programs: PTE 60 (no per-skill minimum stated). Nursing 65 with no skill below 65; Werklund School of Education 80 with no skill below 75.
Postgraduate
59
overall minimum
Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum 59; some programs require higher scores (see program listings).
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 Calgary and can change. Always verify at the English Language Proficiency: University of Calgary Academic Calendar before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
University of Calgary 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 / Level | Overall | Each skill | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard undergraduate | 60 | Not stated | All other undergraduate programs |
| Nursing (UG) | 65 | 65+ | Faculty of Nursing |
| Education (UG) | 80 | 75+ | Werklund School of Education |
| Standard graduate | 59 | Not stated | Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the University of Calgary Future Students 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 Calgary in Calgary, Canada accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 60 overall with no per-skill minimum stated, and for postgraduate programs 59 overall with no per-skill minimum stated.
For undergraduate entry at University of Calgary, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 60 with no per-skill minimum stated. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 59 overall with no per-skill minimum stated. Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum 59; some programs require higher scores (see program listings). Always confirm with University of Calgary directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Calgary require a PTE Academic overall score of 59 with no per-skill minimum stated. Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum 59; some programs require higher scores (see program listings).
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).
It depends on the course, because University of Calgary sets its PTE bar by program. Its lowest listed band is 59 overall (Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum) and its highest is 80 overall (Werklund School of Education). So a score below one course's bar can still meet another's. If you are below the band for the course you want, either resit PTE Academic after work on your weakest skill, since one low skill can pull your overall down (and fail any per-skill minimum), or ask University of Calgary whether it offers an English pathway program. Check the band for your exact course on University of Calgary's English language requirements page.
Neither is easier in general: University of Calgary accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS, and what matters is clearing its number for your course, for example 60 overall (no per-skill minimum stated) for most undergraduate programs and 59 overall (no per-skill minimum stated) for most postgraduate ones. PTE Academic is computer-delivered and scored by AI, and since August 2025 a human expert also reviews the content of seven task types; IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview. If a recorded format suits you better than an interview, PTE may be the easier fit. A free PTE mock shows where you stand against University of Calgary's bar.
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