**Review** Graduate Catalog 2025-2026

English Proficiency

If an applicant’s transcripts come from outside of the United States of America, the applicant would be required to provide proof of English Proficiency following the guidelines outlined below:

To submit proof of English proficiency, please submit one of the following documents:

Your English Proficiency Standard will be marked “met” if you meet one of the following. Please send an email to International@unco.edu if you believe this applies to you:

  • You have taken four years of college Preparatory English and graduated from a high school with a 2.5+ GPA in a qualifying English Exemption region or any US Accredited School.
  • You have earned a B or better in College English Composition 1 and 2 and earned 24 or more credit hours towards a degree at an institution in a qualifying region.
  • You have completed the full IB diploma program with English HL of 5 or higher.
  • You have an Associate’s degree with a 2.5+ GPA from a U.S. accredited post-secondary college.
  • You have a Bachelor’s Degree from a US accredited University.
  • You have a Master’s Degree from an accredited U.S. University.

English Proficiency Tests: You may schedule yourself for a test of English proficiency. You will need to submit those scores to us showing you meet the minimum requirements as listed below. You can email your results page to International@unco.edu as a PDF attachment. If your test scores meet the minimum, no further action is needed on your part if you are admitted to UNC.

  • Michigan English Test

Minimum Scores:

Graduate, Overall score: 64, Listening: 64 Reading: 64 Speaking: 64 Writing: 64

  • Cambridge English: B2 First Test

Minimum Scores:

Graduate, Overall score: 176, Reading: 169 Use of English: 162 Writing: 169 Listening: 169 Speaking: 169

  • TOEFL

Graduate , IBT 80, Reading: 16 Listening: 16 Speaking: 20 Writing: 22

  • IELTS

Graduate, Overall: 6.5, No score lower than 6

  • English3 Proficiency Test

Graduate, ESPT 67, With no scores lower than 16.5

  • NECO or WASSCE (Country specific)

B3 or higher in English Language

You can apply for and attend UNC’s Intensive English Program. Please note that the program has a separate application and fee. See information at: https://www.unco.edu/global/services-programs/intensive-english-program/

Items that are NOT accepted to waive the English Proficiency Requirement:

  • Duolingo certificates

  • Letters of English Instruction from previous institutions

  • Transcripts of English Certificates or Programs from other universities