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English Proficiency

English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Student Admission

Applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English for admission consideration. A student may receive a waiver to the requirement for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based Test (iBT) or a paper-based test (PBT) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if they completed all the requirements for their high school diploma, bachelor’s degree, or an advanced degree in a country where the primary and/or dominant language is English and English was the language of instruction of the school where the requirements were completed. The list of countries where English is considered the primary or dominant language, as approved by the UC Irvine Graduate Council, is below:

Table 1:  Countries* Having English as the PRIMARY Language

Anguilla

Guyana

Antigua and Barbuda

Isle of Man

Ascension

Jamaica

Australia

Montserrat

Bahamas

New Zealand (see also Table 2)

Barbados

Northern Ireland

Belize

St. Kitts and Nevis

Bermuda

Scotland (see also Table 2)

Canada - Except for Quebec

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Dominica

Trinidad and Tobago

England

United States

Falklands

Wales (see also Table 2)

Grenada

Virgin Islands
Table 2: Countries* Having English as the DOMINANT Language

Canada - Except for Quebec

New Zealand (see also Table 1)

Channel Islands

St. Lucia

Eire

Scotland (see also Table 1)

Gibraltar

South Africa

Liberia

Wales (see also Table 1)

* Includes varying political entities
  • The TOEFL iBT or IELTS requirement may be waived for admissions purposes only. This is not related in any way to the oral English Language proficiency requirements for students to be appointed as TAs. Departments that wish to appoint international students or permanent residents as TAs should communicate the appropriate oral English language proficiency test requirements to their applicants/students.
  • This revision pertains to the minimum UCI campus admission policy for English language proficiency. Individual departments may have stricter requirements than the minimum campus standard.
  • US citizens are not required to take the TOEFL exam.

TOEFL

Important:

The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

  • Please select institution code 4859 to have your official score sent to UCI.
  • Test results that are two years old or older are not acceptable.
  • Results of institutional (non-ETS) administrations of the TOEFL are not acceptable.

TOEFL Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:

  • On the TOEFL iBT minimum score of 80
  • For the paper-based test, a minimum score of 550

IELTS

As an alternative to the TOEFL, you may submit scores from the Academic Modules of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). You must submit a Test Report Form (TRF) to: Graduate Division | Admissions | 120 Aldrich Hall, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3180.

IELTS Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:

  • An overall minimum score of 7 for admission, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual module.
  • Applicants who qualify for admission by the above criteria, and also achieve a score of 8 or higher on the Speaking module may be eligible to serve as a Teaching Assistant.

Important:

  • Be sure to order the TRF when you register to take the IELTS.
  • IELTS test scores that are two years old or older are not acceptable.