Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Capital English requirements by level
From Capital's English proficiency page. Only IELTS Academic is accepted, not General Training.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0, reading 6.0, listening 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 71 or PBT 530 (reading and listening 50), PTE 48, Duolingo 110, ACT English 18, SAT Reading and Writing 440 |
| Graduate (most programmes) | 6.5 | TOEFL 80, PTE 53 |
| ABSN and Law | 7.0 | TOEFL 100, PTE 68 |
Exemptions
Undergraduates may be exempt with two or more years of US high school and a C or better in standard English, a C or higher in IGCSE or O-Level English (first language), a full year of IB English, a C or higher in college-level English composition, AP English Language 3 or higher, or schooling in a listed first-language English country. Applicants from Ghana, Nigeria and The Gambia are waived with an A or B in English on WAEC within the last two years.
Graduate applicants with a US bachelor's, master's or PhD do not need to show English proficiency, and those primarily educated in a listed first-language English country may be eligible for a waiver.
Free test: are you at Capital University's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Score age, ESL and how to check
English test scores must be from the last two years. ESL Intensive English Program students do not need a test score for admission, but elementary proficiency is required.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Capital programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Capital 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 Capital University require?+
IELTS 6.0 overall with reading 6.0 and listening 5.5 for undergraduates; 6.5 for most graduate programmes; 7.0 for ABSN and Law.
Does Capital University accept Duolingo?+
Yes, for undergraduates, with a minimum score of 110.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS for Capital?+
Not if they have an A or B in English on WAEC within the last two years.
Does Capital accept IELTS General Training?+
No. Only IELTS Academic is accepted.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Otterbein University IELTS requirement
- Ohio Wesleyan University IELTS requirement
- Ohio Dominican University IELTS requirement
- How long is an IELTS score valid?
- 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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