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Please note: You are considered an international student if you are not a U.S citizen, permanent resident, or refugee, and you are on a temporary visa; or if you will require any type of visa to study in the United States. The test information included below is specific to international students. If you do not meet this definition, please see our English proficiency information for domestic students.
The University of Minnesota requires all non-native English speakers to demonstrate a command of the English language that is necessary for success in college level classes taught in English. Applicants are required to submit results from the TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB English language proficiency tests.
Most undergraduate programs at the University of Minnesota require a specific minimum score (see the chart below). Some undergraduate programs may admit students with lower scores, but will require an additional English language proficiency test prior to registration. Based on all of your examination results and placement examination on campus, admitted students may be required to take additional English courses when they enroll. Some programs in the health sciences require higher scores. School of Nursing requirements can be found at http://www.nursing.umn.edu/BSN/admission-requirements/index.htm (click on BSN Admissions Criteria).
| Test | Minimum required score |
|---|---|
| Paper-based TOEFL | 550 |
| Internet-based TOEFL | 79 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| MELAB | 80 |
An official report of TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency (from one set of exam results):
Freshman applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they have:
Transfer applicants may be exempt from this requirement if they have:
For the most up-to-date information on the Internet-based TOEFL, or for test registration information, go to http://www.ets.org/toefl/. Our TOEFL institutional code is 6874.
For more information about the TOEFL, please contact:
Email: TOEFL® Service Team
Phone: 1-609-771-7100 or 1-877-863-3546 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-7:45 p.m. Eastern Time, except for U.S. holidays)
Fax: 1-610-290-8972; 1-609-771-7714 - TTY (24 hours a day, 7 days a week for test takers who are deaf or hearing impaired)
TOEFL Services
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA
For registration information on the IELTS, contact your nearest testing center which can be found at http://www.ielts.org/test_centre_search/search_results.aspx or contact them by email at: ielts@ieltsintl.org or ielts@CambridgeESOL.org
For registration information on the MELAB, visit their website at http://www.cambridgemichigan.org/, contact your nearest test center at http://www.cambridgemichigan.org/exams/general/find-centerlease or contact:
Email: info@cambridgemichigan.org
Phone: +001 734.615.9629
Fax: +001 734.763.0369
Cambridge Michigan Language Assessments
Argus 1 Building
535 West William St., Suite 310
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103-4978 USA
The University of Minnesota has an intensive English program for international students wishing to improve their English skills before applying for admission to the University. Students who take English as a second language courses at the University of Minnesota have access to the University's many resources and facilities. Classes are small, instructors are highly qualified, and students will receive advising and support services designed specifically for them. To find out more about the English as a Second Language program, visit: http://www.cce.umn.edu/Minnesota-English-Language-Program.
Email: esl@umn.edu
Phone: 612-624-4000
Minnesota ESL Program
University of Minnesota
College of Continuing Education
160 McNamara Alumni Center
200 Oak Street S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers conditional admission to a limited number of academically qualified fall term freshman applicants who require additional English language instruction in order to be successful degree-seeking students at the University of Minnesota.
Freshman applicants whose English proficiency test scores do not meet the University's minimum requirements noted above are automatically considered for conditional admission to the University of Minnesota based on a review of their completed international application for admission.
Students accepted to this program complete one year of intensive English language study at the Minnesota English Language Program. After one year, program participants who have demonstrated high enough English proficiency are admitted for the following fall semester as a degree-seeking student.
