Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Chapman English requirements by programme
From the undergraduate international FAQ and the graduate international how-to-apply page.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, balanced subscores | TOEFL 4.5 (80 before 21 Jan 2026), Duolingo 120 |
| Graduate, most programmes | 7.0 | TOEFL 5.0 (94 before 21 Jan 2026), PTE 76, Duolingo 130, C1 Advanced level C1 |
| Graduate, Dodge College | 7.5 | TOEFL 5.5 (102), PTE 76, Duolingo 135, C1 Advanced level C1 |
| Graduate, School of Pharmacy | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.5 (80), PTE 53, Duolingo 130, C1 Advanced level B2 |
Test rules and waivers
Undergraduates can also use SAT English 600 or ACT English 24. Applicants in Cambridge, IB or American-patterned curriculums are eligible for an English proficiency waiver. Transfer students need a transferable English course taken in a traditional classroom; online English courses do not count.
Graduate applicants must take IELTS Academic: Chapman does not accept IELTS UKVI or the IELTS One Skill Retake. It also rejects TOEFL Essentials and TOEFL MyBest, and all subscores must come from one sitting. There is no waiver based on nationality, residency or citizenship. The graduate FAQ says applicants whose degree is from a non-US institution where English was the language of instruction do not need to submit scores, so ask gradadmit@chapman.edu to confirm your case.
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No conditional admission
Chapman's undergraduate FAQ states that it does not offer English conditional admission, so you need the score or a waiver before you are admitted. For TOEFL, send scores to institution code 4047.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Chapman programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Chapman 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 Chapman University require?+
IELTS 6.5 with balanced subscores for undergraduates. Graduate programmes need 7.0, except Dodge College (7.5) and the School of Pharmacy (6.5).
Does Chapman accept the IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Not for graduate admission. Chapman accepts only IELTS Academic and names the One Skill Retake and IELTS UKVI as not accepted.
Does Chapman offer conditional admission for English?+
No. The undergraduate FAQ says Chapman does not offer English conditional admission.
What PTE score does Chapman need?+
PTE 76 for most graduate programmes and Dodge College, and 53 for the School of Pharmacy. The undergraduate FAQ does not list PTE.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Pepperdine University IELTS requirement
- USC IELTS requirement
- Loyola Marymount University IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 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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