Are you curious about the English language proficiency requirements for applicants to universities in Saudi Arabia? International students often need to demonstrate English proficiency when applying to programs taught in English. The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is one of the world’s most widely used English proficiency tests for higher education and global migration. However, Saudi universities do not share a single national IELTS cutoff; requirements vary by institution, degree level, and program.
If you are looking for universities that accept IELTS in Saudi Arabia, continue reading to learn about the current published requirements.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirements for Universities in Saudi Arabia
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University | 5.0 for General English 1 exemption | 5.5 for the MBA |
| Alfaisal University | Program-specific | 5.5 for many master’s programs; 6.0 for the MBA; 6.5 for the Biomedical Sciences Ph.D. |
| King Abdullah University of Science and Technology | n/a — graduate-only university | 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each section |
| Saudi Electronic University | No general IELTS admission minimum stated | 5.0 for specified master’s programs |
| Almaarefa University | 3.5 for Medicine; no specific IELTS score for other listed programs | 4.5 for the Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Nursing |
| University of Business and Technology | 5.0, with an English placement route available | 5.5 |
| King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals | No IELTS minimum stated for the international SAT admission track | 6.0 for M.Sc. programs; 6.5 for Ph.D. programs |
1. Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University
Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University publishes an IELTS Academic threshold of 5.0 overall, with no individual band below 5.0, for exemption from General English 1. A score of 6.0 overall, with no band below 6.0, is required for exemption from General English 2. These are English-course exemption thresholds rather than a general undergraduate admission requirement. The university’s MBA page lists a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 and offers specializations in Corporate Finance, Risk Management, and Project Management.
2. Alfaisal University
Alfaisal University was founded in 2002, and its first students began their studies in 2008. IELTS requirements vary by graduate program. Many master’s programs, including the Master of Public Health, list an IELTS Academic minimum of 5.5. The MBA requires an overall score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 in reading and writing, when an English proficiency test is required. Applicants to the Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Sciences must have an IELTS Academic score of 6.5.
3. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
- IELTS Requirement
- IELTS Band Requirement: 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each section
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, located in Thuwal, is a graduate research university and does not offer undergraduate degrees. Applicants must submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 overall, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each individual section. KAUST also accepts specified TOEFL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English Advanced, and Cambridge Linguaskill scores. Meeting the minimum English requirement does not guarantee admission.
4. Saudi Electronic University
Saudi Electronic University was established in 2011 as a government educational institution offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Its current admissions page lists a minimum IELTS Academic score of 5.0 for several master’s programs, including Digital Marketing, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Healthcare Management, and Healthcare Quality and Patient Safety. Certain applicants may qualify for an exemption, including eligible Saudi Electronic University graduates and graduates of recognized universities in specified English-speaking countries. Non-Saudi applicants to the listed graduate programs must be residents of Saudi Arabia.
5. Almaarefa University
Almaarefa University’s published undergraduate requirements list an IELTS Academic score of 3.5 for admission to the Medicine and Surgery program. No specific IELTS score is listed for the other undergraduate specializations on that admissions page. For applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree and are seeking admission to Medicine and Surgery, the listed IELTS requirement is 5.5. The Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Nursing requires an IELTS Academic score of 4.5.
6. University of Business and Technology
- IELTS Requirement
- IELTS Band Requirement: 5.0 for undergraduate study; 5.5 for master’s programs
The University of Business and Technology is a private university in Jeddah offering undergraduate and graduate programs in fields including business, engineering, advertising, and law. Its admissions page lists an IELTS Academic score of 5.0 for undergraduate students before they enroll in college-level subjects. Students who do not meet the IELTS or TOEFL threshold may take the university’s English Placement Test and may be assigned academic English courses. Master’s applicants must have an IELTS score of 5.5 or a TOEFL iBT score of 61.
7. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is a university based in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, with programs concentrated in science, engineering, technology, and business. Its international undergraduate SAT admission track currently lists a minimum SAT score of 1350 but does not specify an IELTS admission minimum. For graduate applicants, KFUPM requires an IELTS score of 6.0 for thesis-based and project-based M.Sc. programs and 6.5 for Ph.D. programs, including direct-entry Ph.D. study. English-test waivers are available to KFUPM graduates and graduates from specified English-speaking countries. Separately, the university’s 2026 undergraduate guide lists IELTS 6.0, with no skill below 5.5, as one route for skipping preparatory English; this is not the same as an undergraduate admission minimum.
IELTS Scores of Students Who’ve Received Offers in Saudi Arabia (Did Not Enroll)
FAQs: IELTS Acceptance in Saudi Arabia
Do Universities in Saudi Arabia Consider Students Who Have Not Passed the IELTS Exam?
Yes, depending on the university and program. Saudi Arabia does not have a single nationwide IELTS minimum for university admission. Some programs accept other English proficiency tests, offer an institutional placement test, or waive the test for applicants whose previous education meets specified English-language conditions. For example, some universities accept TOEFL or STEP scores, while certain applicants with degrees from recognized institutions in English-speaking countries may qualify for an exemption. Applicants should review the official requirements for their chosen program. Requirements may be higher at highly regarded universities or for research-intensive graduate programs. You can also learn about another commonly accepted examination in our TOEFL guide.
IELTS can support your application when your chosen university or program requires proof of English proficiency. However, minimum scores, accepted alternatives, and exemption policies vary. If you are interested, check out the KSA Study Guide and explore the Available Programs for International Students!
