English Proficiency Requirements

International applicants must meet the English proficiency standards set by the University of Colorado Boulder, the Graduate School and specific Graduate Departments to which they are applying. Proof of English proficiency is required for an international application to be reviewed for an admission decision.

Proof of English proficiency is NOT required if:

  1. You are a citizen of a qualifying country
  2. You have studied at a university-level institution that meets ALL the following criteria:
    • The institution is in the U.S. or a qualifying country
    • You have completed at least one year of full-time academic study at the institution.
    • Your studies at the institution ended within two years of your intended admission term.
      1. Examples:
        1. Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Studies ending Spring 2024 =ÌýÌý
        2. Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Studies ending Fall 2023 =ÌýÌý
    • You provide Official transcripts verifying all criteria.
  3. You have completed OPT (Optional Practical Training) that meets ALL the following criteria:
    • Your Employment ended within two years of your intended admission term.
      • Examples:
        • Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Completed OPT August 2024 =ÌýÌý
        • Admission Term: Fall 2026 → Completed OPT December 2023 =ÌýÌý
    • You provide a report of your OPT employment history from your SEVP portal. This can be uploaded as part of your transcript or emailed intlgrad@colorado.edu.

IMPORTANT

  • Economics PhD and MusicDO NOT ACCEPT condition #2 or #3 above and require English proficiency test scores for international applicants. (Please review the College of Music English proficiency waiver policy and application).
  • Enrollment in an English language program (even if the program is in the U.S.) DOES NOT meet the English proficiency requirement.
  • Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters are NOT accepted and DO NOT meet the English proficiency requirement.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria for requirements 1, 2 or 3 can fulfill the English proficiency requirements through the exams posted below.

English proficiency can be demonstrated by completing any of the exams below and obtaining a score that is equal to, or higher than, Your Department’s posted score on the Minimum Score table below.Ìý

Note that all scores must be Official and the exam date must be within 2 years of your intended admission term.

Examples:

  • Admission Term: August 2026 → Exam Date September 2024 =ÌýÌý
  • Admission Term: August 2026 → Exam Date April 2023 =ÌýÌý

Minimum Scores

Graduate ProgramsTOEFL IBTIELTSDUOLINGOPEARSONCAMBRIDGE
All Programs EXCEPT those listed below.806.511558180
Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design1007.513575190
Applied Mathematics1007.513575190
Architectural Engineering917.012566185
Asian Languages & Civilizations917.012566185
Biochemistry1007.513575190
Chemical and Biological Engineering1007.513575190
Chemistry1007.513575190
Civil Engineering917.012566185
Creative Technology and Design (ATLAS)1007.513575190
Education917.012566185
Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering1007.513575190
Engineering Management1007.513575190
English1007.513575190
Environmental Studies1007.513575190
Environmental Engineering917.012566185
Integrative Physiology1007.513575190
Journalism1007.513575190
Law (JD & LLM)1007.513575190
Linguistics917.012566185
Media Studies1007.513575190
Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology (MCDB)1007.513575190
Music (DMA, PhD)917.012566185
Political Science917.012566185
Psychology & Neuroscience917.012566185

How to provide proof of English proficiency

Applicants may upload a Verifiable EP Score Report with their application materials when applying. Alternatively, applicants may email Verifiable EP Score Reports to intlgrad@colorado.edu. The University of Colorado Boulder accepts the following exams and corresponding Verifiable EP Score Reports listed below.

  • TOEFL: Must show Applicant Name, Appointment Number, Date of Birth and MyBest Scores Date.
  • IELTS: Must show Applicant Name, Test Report Form Number (TRF), Date of Birth and Test Date.
  • Duolingo: Must show Applicant Name, Secure Certificate Link and Test Date, must be Shared.
  • PTE (Pearson): Must show Applicant Name, Score Report Code, Date of Birth and Test Date.
  • Cambridge: Verification Number is required, Date of Birth must match applicant, and Candidate Name must match applicant.

If we are not able to verify your English Proficiency Test Scores, you may be required to send Official Test Scores directly from your testing agency listed below.

  • TOEFL: Valid for 2 years. Send via your to University of Colorado Boulder. Our school code is 4841 (use department code 99 if needed).
  • IELTS: Valid for 2 years. Request your test center to send scores to:
    University of Colorado Boulder Masters & PhD
    3100 Marine Street, Suite A122, UCB 65, Boulder, CO 80303
  • Duolingo: Valid for 2 years. Use the to send results to:
    University of Colorado Boulder – Graduate
  • PTE (Pearson): Valid for 2 years. Send your scores from your online to the University of Colorado Boulder, Department = Graduate School.Ìý
    Leeds MBA/MS applicants must send scores to the University of Colorado Boulder, Department = Leeds MBA/MS.
  • Cambridge: Valid for 2 years. Instructions for how to send your exam result is available on .

Qualifying Countries

  • Antigua
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Dominica
  • Eswatini
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Fiji
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • India**
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom & Territories
  • United States & Territories
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

** Applicants from India to the Engineering Management program must submit English Proficiency Scores.