Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Acadia University: English test requirements
Undergraduate applicants meet one set of minimums with a wide list of tests, including Duolingo. Graduate Studies sets its own, higher minimums for tests taken from 21 January 2026, does not accept Duolingo, and notes some programmes ask for more.
Checked on 2 Nov 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG 6.5
PG 7.0 / 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 90
PG 93
PTE Academic
UG 61
PG 65 / 61
Duolingo English Test
UG 115
PG Not accepted
Undergraduate
Applicants whose first language is not English may be asked for test scores. The requirement may be waived after three years of study in an English medium of instruction. TOEFL minimums differ for tests taken before and from 21 January 2026.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 | no subtest score below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.5 (tests from 21 January 2026) / 90 iBT (tests before 21 January 2026) | from 21 January 2026: no score below 4.5. Before: no subtest score below 20 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 61 | no subtest score below 60 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 | no sub score below 90 | Accepted |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) | Pass A, B or C, 180 or above | no subtest score below 173 | Accepted |
| Cambridge B2 First (FCE) | Pass A, 180 | no subtest score below 173 | Accepted |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70-74 | no skill under 65 | Accepted |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 135 | no section minimum stated | Accepted |
| CAEL / CAEL Online | 70 | no subtest score below 60 | Accepted |
“If you have studied in an English medium of instruction for three years, the language proficiency requirement may be waived.”
Admissions requirements for international students: English requirements
Graduate
Graduate minimums changed for tests taken from 21 January 2026; older tests are judged on the earlier scores. Some programmes require higher scores, so applicants should check with the programme's Graduate Advisor. Conditional admission without the required score is possible only in the MSc programmes in Computer Science, Geology, Environmental Science and Mathematics; for all others the requirement must be met when applying.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.0 (tests from 21 January 2026) / 6.5 (tests before) | from 21 January 2026: no subtest score below 6.5. Before: no subtest score below 6.0 | Accepted |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 5.0 (tests from 21 January 2026) / 93 iBT (tests before) | from 21 January 2026: no subtest score below 5. Before: no subtest score below 20 | Accepted |
| PTE Academic or Online | 65 (tests from 21 January 2026) / 61 (tests before) | no subtest score below 60 | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not acceptedThe graduate page says Duolingo is not accepted. | |
| CAEL | 70 | no subtest score below 60 | Accepted |
“We do not accept the Duolingo English Test (DET).”
Graduate application: English proficiency requirement
Other tests the university lists
- CAEL / CAEL Online 70, no subtest below 60
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or B2 First, 180, no subtest below 173 (undergraduate)
- LanguageCert Academic 70-74, no skill under 65 (undergraduate)
- Oxford Test of English Advanced 135 (undergraduate)
The page says these are not accepted
- Duolingo English Test (graduate)
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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