English Proficiency Requirements
IELTS, SPEAK and iBT score requirements for international students.
For the full English Proficiency Requirements for International Students policy, please visit:https://documents.ku.edu/policies/Graduate_Studies/EnglishProficiencyIntlStudents.htm
| TOEFL (iBT) | IELTS | SPEAK test (AEC) | In these categories |
Admissions categories and score requirements:
| Reading, Listening and Writing part scores at least 23 | Minimum overall score 6.5, at least 6.0 in Listening, Reading & Writing |
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Student will obtain a waiver from the AEC and be able to begin course work immediately |
| Reading, Listening and Writing part scores at least 20 | Minimum overall score 6.0 with no part score below 5.5 |
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Student will require AEC testing |
| Reading, Listening and Writing part scores 18-19 | Minimum overall score 5.5 with no part score below 5.0 |
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Student will require AEC testing |
| Reading, Listening or Writing score below 18 | Overall score below 5.5 or one or more part scores below 5.0 |
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Encourage student to apply directly to the AEC or retake TOEFL or IELTS |
Employment:
| Reading, Listening and Writing part scores at least 20, Speaking 24 | Minimum overall score 6.0 with no part score below 5.5, Speaking 8 | 50 |
English proficiency sufficient for GTA or GRA offer |
| Reading, Listening and Writing part scores at least 20 | Minimum overall score 6.0 with no part score below 5.5 |
|
English proficiency sufficient for GRA offer |
Download a printable chart with the English proficiency scores and corresponding status.
Excel version
PDF versionAdmission:
The following are acceptable means for verifying English proficiency for purposes of admission for non-native speakers of English and/or international students to graduate programs at KU:
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Graduation with a baccalaureate degree (or higher) earned in residence from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education, or from such an institution whose medium of instruction is English. This does not apply to degrees earned online.
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Receipt of official copy (not student's copy) of applicant's proficiency scores achieved not more than two years prior to the semester of admission.
All international students are required to check-in at the Applied English Center (AEC) upon arrival to campus. At that time, the AEC will confirm the student's level of English proficiency and determine if additional English courses are required.
GTA and GRA eligibility:
Graduate teaching and research assistant eligibility requirements are distinct from admission requirements. Additional information on eligibility for graduate teaching assistants and graduate research assistants may be found in the GTA/GRA Eligibility Guidelines.
The Board of Regents policy on spoken English competency for graduate teaching assistants requires that non-native speakers of English demonstrate English proficiency by obtaining a minimum score of 50 on the SPEAK or TSE, a 24 on the speaking portion of the iBT, or an 8 on the IELTS and that the student must be interviewed by three institutional representatives to determine sufficient English proficiency. More information may be found in the Kansas Board of Regents Policy on Spoken English Language Competency of Faculty and Graduate Teaching Assistants.
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