Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Calvin English requirements by level
From Calvin's English language proficiency page and its graduate admissions details.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 (before 21 Jan 2026) or 4 (on or after), PBT 550, CBT 213; Duolingo 110 |
| Graduate | 7.0 | TOEFL iBT 100, PBT 600, CBT 250; Duolingo 125 |
Other ways to show English (undergraduate)
SAT: reading and writing 510 with a composite of 1100. ACT: English 20 with a total of 23. IB: 5 or higher on English or another reading and writing intensive exam. Cambridge: A-level C, AS-level B or O-level English B or higher.
Two or more years at a US high school or an IB-curriculum school, a semester of credit at a US college, or schooling in a listed English-speaking country (the list includes Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Singapore and the UK) also count.
Free test: are you at Calvin University's score yet?
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How Calvin uses the score
Calvin says English proficiency is considered with the rest of the admission file, and some international scholarships are based on SAT or ACT results. Calvin's TOEFL code is 1095.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Calvin programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Calvin University publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does Calvin University require?+
IELTS 6.5 for undergraduate admission and 7.0 for graduate programmes.
Does Calvin accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 110 for undergraduates and 125 for graduate programmes.
Can SAT replace IELTS at Calvin?+
Yes for undergraduates: SAT reading and writing 510 with a composite of 1100.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS for Calvin?+
Nigeria is on Calvin's list of countries counted as English instruction, which is one of its proficiency options.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Grand Valley State University IELTS requirement
- Northwood University IELTS requirement
- Western Michigan University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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