Admission Standards & English Proficiency
If English is not your native language, you must submit an acceptable score on either the IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), DET (Duolingo English Test) or CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced) or qualify for an exemption.
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Testing Requirements
To be competitive for regular, non-conditional admission, students should submit one of the following scores:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): A TOEFL score of 80 or higher with no subscore below 18. The DU TOEFL code is 4842.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): An IELTS score of 6.5 or higher with no band score below 5.5.
- Duolingo English Test: A DET score of 105 or higher.
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English): A grade of C or higher on the CAE.
Please note: all score and subscore requirements must be met in a single test. We do not super score or accept test superscores (such as TOEFLT MyBest Score).
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Exemptions
We will consider you for an exemption from our testing requirements if you:
- Complete the final two years and graduate from a high school/secondary school where English is the language of instruction
- Earn one of the following scores/grades:
- ACT English subscore of 22 or higher
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) of 600 or higher
- GCSE/IGCSE grade of A, B or C on the English exam
- HKDSE grade of 5 on the English Language Core Subject exam
- Complete the program at DU’s English Language Center, including the LAUNCH Curriculum
Transfer students applying from another college or university where English is the universal language of instruction may be waived from proof of English proficiency if they have completed at least 30 transferable semester credits OR have taken both English Composition I and English Composition II.
Please note that exemptions are not guaranteed - we consider you for exemption at the time of admission and consider many factors when making decisions on English proficiency.
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Optional Interview
An interview is not required to apply to DU, but we encourage you to complete an interview to help our staff evaluate your English proficiency, as well as get to know you as an individual. Our staff will evaluate each interview individually. Click here to schedule an information interview with your admission counselor.
Alternatively, we recommend using one of the following services:
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Required English Courses & Placement
If you are a non-native English speaker, you will take English Language courses within the LAUNCH curriculum as part of your degree at DU. These classes count for your degree and will also help you acclimate to learning and studying in the United States. Placement in these courses is be based on your submitted English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or CAE) or the results of the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA).
If you submit a TOEFL or IELTS, you will be placed in an English Language course based on your subscores:
Skill Area TOEFL Subscore IELTS Subscore Course Requirement Writing 23 or below 6.5 or below ENGG 1090 - Writing that Matters Reading 23 or below 6.5 or below ENGG 1090 - Writing that Matters Speaking 24 or below 6.5 or below ENGG 1080 - Speaking Strategically Listening 21 or below 6.5 or below ENGG 1080 - Speaking Strategically To learn more about the LAUNCH curriculum, placement, and exemptions, click here.
Transfer students applying from another college or university where English is the universal language of instruction may be waived from this requirement if they have completed at least 30 transferable semester credits OR have taken both English Composition I and English Composition II and earned at least a C-.