Demonstration of English Proficiency
Succeeding academically at UNC requires strong academic English skills prior to enrollment. To support student success, UNC requires applicants whose native language is not English, or who were educated in a language other than English, to demonstrate their English proficiency in one of the following ways.
The criteria below are solely for the demonstration of English proficiency. Meeting the demonstration of English proficiency requirements does not guarantee admission to the University. Some academic programs may have program-specific admission requirements regarding English Proficiency. Please visit the program catalog page and website for additional information.
UNC reserves the right to request demonstration of English proficiency for any applicant during the reviewing of an application to support the applicant’s academic success at UNC. Should you encounter challenges with English proficiency after enrolling, UNC may recommend or require supplementary English coursework to support your academic success.
- Verified scores from one of the following tests which meet overall and sub-score requirements in the table below. Tests must be taken within two years of application to UNC, and results must be sent directly from the testing organization to UNC.
| Test Name |
Overall Score |
Minimum Scores by Section |
| TOEFL iBT (exams taken before 01/20/2026) |
80 |
Listening (16), Reading (16), Speaking (20), and Writing (22) |
| TOEFL iBT (exams taken after 01/20/2026) |
4.5 |
Listening (3.5), Reading (3.5), Speaking (4), and Writing (4.5) |
| IELTS |
6.5 |
Listening (6), Reading (6), Writing (6), and Speaking (6) |
| English3 |
67 |
Speaking (16.5), Reading (16.5), Listening (16.5), and Writing (16.5) |
| Cambridge B2 First |
176 |
Use of English (162), Reading (169), Writing (169), Listening (162), and Speaking (169) |
| Michigan |
64 |
Listening (64), Reading (64), Speaking (64), and Writing (64) |
| Gateway |
475 |
Speaking (405), Reading (405), Listening (405), and Writing (405) |
- Earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or will have one conferred prior to initial enrollment term at UNC, from a regionally accredited (or equivalent) United States (or qualifying country*) post-secondary college or university with a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Degree conferral date must be within 5 years of UNC graduate application.
- Earned at least 12 graduate-level semester hours of university credit from a regionally accredited (or equivalent) United States (or qualifying country*) post-secondary college or university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Coursework must be within 5 years of UNC application.
Qualifying Countries (language of instruction must be English):
Australia
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Ireland
Canada (excluding Quebec)