Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
Champlain IELTS and other test levels
From Champlain's international applicants page. It lists the same proof-of-English options for first-year and transfer F-1 students.
| Test | Level for direct undergraduate admission |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5, no sub-score lower than 5.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 or higher, no sub-score lower than 14 |
| TOEFL paper-based | 550, no sub-score lower than 50 |
| PTE | 58 |
| Duolingo | 105 or higher |
| SAT Verbal | 500 or higher |
| Cambridge Assessment English | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
| British O Level English | Pass at grades A to C |
What the page says about waivers and extra tests
The page asks you to have an official score report sent to Champlain to be considered for direct admission to the undergraduate programme. It adds that the College reserves the right to ask an international student to take a test to determine their level of English, even if the student has submitted documents that waive the requirement.
If you hold a test not on the list, the page asks you to email the international admissions office to discuss it.
Free test: are you at Champlain College'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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Portfolios, letters and how to check
Applicants to the Creative Media, Filmmaking, Game Art, Game Design, or Graphic Design and Visual Communication majors are asked to send a portfolio. The page also asks for two letters of recommendation, one from your school counsellor and one from someone who can best highlight your academic potential.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Champlain programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Champlain College 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 Champlain College need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 with no sub-score lower than 5.5 for direct undergraduate admission.
Does Champlain accept PTE Academic?+
The page lists PTE 58. It does not say which PTE version, so use PTE Academic at a test centre.
Does Champlain accept Duolingo?+
Yes. The page asks for a Duolingo score of 105 or higher.
Do transfer students need the same IELTS score?+
The page lists the same options for transfer international students as for first-year students.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- University of Vermont IELTS requirement
- Plymouth State University IELTS requirement
- Bentley University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university and visa
- All 5669 guides
Guide updated on 4 November 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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