All applicants to the University of Arizona whose primary language is not English, or who attended school in a non-English speaking country, regardless of citizenship, must prove English Proficiency. We accept many forms of English Proficiency and have organized them below by academic curriculum and examination.
Undergraduate Requirements
Academic Coursework
One way to demonstrate English Proficiency is through high school or university curriculum and/or coursework. If you meet the below requirements, your English Proficiency will be marked as complete during the application review process. There is no action needed at the time of application, but you may be asked for additional documentation at a later time.
| Admissions Minimum | |
| IB (English A - Higher Level) | 5 or Higher |
| Cambridge IGCSE, O Level or Higher | C or higher in English Subject |
| Cambridge English Qualification and CEFR | 180 or C1 |
| Completion of 4 years of regular English at an accredited American or IB High School | C or higher in English Subject |
| Completion of 3 years of schooling at a High School where medium of instruction is English | C or higher in English Subject |
| Completion of ENGL 101 or 102 or 107 AND 108 (or equivalent course) | C or higher |
Proficiency by Examination
Many students demonstrate proof of English Proficiency through an exam score. The University of Arizona has established the below list of acceptable exams and scores for undergraduate admission. Students who take an exam must have the testing center send the official score report directly to the University of Arizona. All test scores must be dated within 2 years from your submitted application date to be considered valid.
| Admissions Minimum | |
| ACT English | 21 |
| CEPT Full Academic Test | 110 |
| Duolingo | 110 |
| IELTS Academic / IELTS Online / IELTS Indicator / IELTS One Skill Retake | 6.5 |
| iTEP Academic | 3.9 |
| Kaplan Test of English | 450 |
| Language Cert | 75 |
| Manchester Exam | 360 |
| Michigan English Test | 64 |
| Oxford ELLT | 7 |
| Pearson English Language Test (PTE - Academic) | 53 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 580 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8.5 |
| TOEFL iBT / iBT Paper Edition / Home Edition / MyBest Scores | 79 |
English Language Endorsement
The Undergraduate University Track Pathway (U-Track Pathway) is the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)’s English proficiency pathway program. It features a content-based curriculum specifically for conditionally admitted students to the University of Arizona.
Students learn content similar to what they will encounter in their first year as undergraduate students and thereby improve their language abilities. They also enroll in a CESL-supported general education course for credit; this course will count toward any major at the University of Arizona.
With CESL's English Language Endorsement, students in the U-Track Pathway can fulfill U of A's minimum English language proficiency requirement without taking an additional exam.
Students are encouraged to enroll in the U-Track Pathway for 2 sessions (1 semester). CESL’s U-Track Pathway is available in-person on our main campus.
Graduate Requirements
Proof of English proficiency is required for international applicants who hold citizenship from a country where English is not the official language. Check country requirements here.
Individual departments may require higher scores than the Graduate College and all tests must be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.
| Graduate College Minimums | |
|---|---|
| U.S. Bachelor’s degree (with regional accreditation) | Graduate |
| 48 upper division, graded undergraduate semester units at a U.S. accredited institution | 3.0+ GPA |
| 30 graded, graduate semester units at a U.S. accredited institution | 3.0+ GPA |
| TOEFL | 79 |
| IELTS Academic / IELTS Online | 7.0 (with no subject test below 6.0) |
English Language Endorsement
CESL's Graduate University Track Pathway Program at the University of Arizona provides graduate-bound students with advanced-level English courses, which are specifically designed to prepare them for the rigors of graduate-level coursework. In addition to their ESL courses, students in the Graduate U-track Pathway sit in on a UA graduate course in their intended field of study (with department approval) and receive support from a CESL instructor.
Full-time students in the Graduate U-Track Pathway are also eligible to apply for CESL's Graduate English Endorsement, which is accepted by most UA graduate departments and UA Graduate College as fulfillment of the English language proficiency requirement in lieu of the TOEFL or IELTS exams. Endorsement is only available from University track. Endorsement is only offered in Fall 2, Spring 2, and Summer sessions. All Graduate U-Track students applying for endorsement must be in Level 9 (or complete 2 full sessions of the Graduate U-Track) and must pay a fee.