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) for purposes of admission to a UCI graduate program if the student 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 as approved by the Graduate Council where English is the primary or dominant language is available on the Graduate Division website.
- The TOEFL iBT or PBT 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 foreign 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:
- 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.
The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
TOEFL Score Requirements for Admission Consideration:
- On the TOEFL iBT minimum score of 80
- For the paper-based test, a minimum score of 550
- The Paul Merage School of Business requires a minimum score of 100 on the iBT and 600 on the paper-based test.
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.
