English proficiency information for international students

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 English language proficiency tests listed below.

What English proficiency test score do I need to earn to be considered for admission?

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All undergraduate programs at the University of Minnesota require a specific minimum score for admission (see the chart below). Some undergraduate programs may admit students with lower scores. Based on English proficiency exam results and/or placement examinations taken on campus, admitted students may be required to take additional English courses when they enroll.

Minimum Required Scores for Admission

Test	Total Score	Writing Subscore
TOEFL iBT	79	21
IELTS Academic	6.5	6.5
MELAB	80	80
Pearson Test of Academic English (PTE Academic)	59	59
Cambridge Assessment English (CAE) C1 Advanced	180	180

An official report of test scores must be sent to the Office of Admissions directly from the testing agency (from one set of exam results).

Other ways to meet English Proficiency requirements

• Freshman applicants may be exempt from the total score requirement if they have:
  • Scored 500 or greater on the SAT test section evidence based reading and writing; or
  • Scored 21 or higher on the ACT exam on the English AND Reading sections.
  
  Additionally, a student may be exempt from the writing subscore requirement if they have:
  • Scored 28 or greater on the new SAT Writing and Language test; or
  • Scored 8 or greater on the ACT writing
  
  
• Transfer applicants may be exempt from the total score requirement if they have:
  • Successfully completed 26 or more transferable semester credits at a two or four year post-secondary institution in the United States AND have completed the equivalent of the U of MN freshman English writing requirement with a grade of C or better; OR
  • Successfully completed 60 or more transferable semester credits at a two or four-year postsecondary institution in the United States
  
  
• Current Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) students
  
  Students who enroll in the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) Intensive English Program (IEP) may use their grades, coursework and End of Term Assessment (ETA) scores or the Minnesota Battery (MNBat) in lieu of other English proficiency test results. This is for students who are applying for degree admission while enrolled in MELP. Student who leave the program and apply for admission for a later term will need to submit other evidence of English proficiency (see above).
  
  
• Exempt countries
  
  Applicants from the following countries whose first language is English are exempt from the English language test requirement:
  
  Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Monserrat, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Palau, Scotland, Seychelles, Shetland Islands, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Wales, U.S. Territories including American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Virgin Islands.

How do I register for an English language test?

Registration information is available at the websites listed below:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT
www.ets.org/toefl/
U of M test code: 6874.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic
www.ielts.org/

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
www.cambridgemichigan.org/

Pearson’s Test of Academic English (PTE Academic)
pearsonpte.com/

Cambridge Assessment English (CAE) C1 Advanced
www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/advanced/

What if my English proficiency score does not meet the minimum requirement?

The University of Minnesota has an intensive English language 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. Find out more about the English as a Second Language program.

Email: esl@umn.edu
Phone: 612-624-1503

Minnesota English Language Program
University of Minnesota
College of Continuing and Professional Studies
20 Nicholson Hall
216 Pillsbury Drive SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Conditional Admission For International Freshmen

What is Conditional Admission?

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 University's 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.

What English language score do I need to be considered for conditional admission?

Test	Minimum Total Score for Conditional Admission
TOEFL iBT	53
IELTS Academic	5.5
MELAB	64
PTE Academic	42
CAE C1 Advanced	160

These scores have been determined by experienced ESL instructors and researchers within the U of M's Minnesota English Language Program (MELP), and they reflect how much progress can be expected in one year of intensive English language study.

How do I apply for Conditional Admission?

1. Application
   • Submit a complete application for undergraduate admission to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities (application, required materials and deadlines.) The Office of Admissions conducts an overall assessment of the application and determines whether an offer of conditional admission will be made to the applicant.
2. Granting Conditional Admission
   • The offer of conditional admission is sent to the applicant. The admission notice instructs the applicant to apply to the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) Intensive English Program.
3. MELP Application
   • Student applies to the full-time intensive English program via a downloadable PDF application.
   • MELP issues the visa document for the student to study in the Intensive English Program.
4. MELP Intensive Study
   • Student takes English classes and completes the End of Term Assessment (ETA) at the end of each term. MELP updates the Office of Admissions for each student at the end of each term on their progress.
   • Student will be recommended to begin their undergraduate degree program when the student reaches the minimum English proficiency level required by the program as measured by the Spring End of Term Assessment (550 ETA) and maintains good standing in the MELP program.
5. Transitioning to a degree-seeking Undergraduate Program
   • Students submit a transfer form to MELP, who then transfers the student's visa documents to the Office of Admissions. This will allow the student to begin a degree program.
   • Student is sent a letter of admission to start the following fall term.

For more information, visit Frequently Asked Questions about Conditional Admission.