General Aptitude Test for University Graduates (GAT):
- All academic (general) graduate programs at the university require applicants to achieve a minimum score of 65 on the General Aptitude Test for University Graduates (GAT).
- The test score is valid for five years.
English Language Requirement for Academic (General) Graduate Programs
King Abdulaziz University requires applicants to submit scores from internationally recognized English language proficiency tests for admission to graduate studies. The accepted tests are as follows:
IELTS Test: Valid for 2 years.
Important Note: The IELTS Indicator (online version) is not accepted.
TOEFL Test: Only the TOEFL iBT is accepted. Valid for 2 years.
STEP Test (Standardized Test for English Proficiency): Administered by the National Center for Assessment (Qiyas) and available across various regions of the Kingdom. Valid for 3 years.
Equivalent Scores in the Accepted English Proficiency Tests
| STEP | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| 97–83 | 6 | 60–78 |
| 82–69 | 5.5 | 46–59 |
| 68–58 | 5 | 35–45 |
| 57–52 | 4.5 | 32–34 |
| 51–48 | 4 | 28–31 |
| 47–45 | 3.5 | 25–27 |
Notes:
All applicants must meet the required English language score based on the program's conditions. No exceptions are granted to any applicant category.
For some academic (general) master’s programs in theoretical disciplines, if the applicant does not meet the English language requirement, King Abdulaziz University offers an alternative English course upon final acceptance.
Applicable Colleges and Programs Offering the Alternative English Course:
| College | Program | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty of Arts & Humanities | MA in Information Management | English proficiency is not mandatory at the time of application. If the applicant is accepted and fails to meet the English requirement, they must pay for the English language course. |
| MA in Geography | ||
| MA in Sociology | ||
| Faculty of Economics & Administration | MA in Public Administration | |
| MA in Economics | ||
| MA in Accounting | ||
| Faculty of Law | MA in Public Law | |
| MA in Private Law | ||
| Faculty of Education | MA in Educational Technology (Project/Thesis) | |
| MA in Special Education | ||
| MA in Educational Administration | ||
| MA in Guidance and Counseling (Project) |
If a student is accepted into one of the above programs and has not met the English language requirement, they will be required to pay for the English language course for each semester.
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