Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
CGU English requirements by route
From CGU's international applicants page. CGU is a graduate-only university.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Direct entry | 7.0, no sub-score below 6.5 | TOEFL 5 (new scale) / 95 (old scale), PTE 66, Duolingo 125 |
| International Scholars Program | 6.0 | TOEFL 4 (new scale) / 75 (old scale), PTE 50, Duolingo 105 |
Who does not need a test
No score is required from citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (examples on the page include Australia, Canada except Quebec, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Uganda and the UK), or from applicants with a degree from a US institution or one in those countries.
CGU also allows a waiver for a degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for most courses, with documentation, and for completion of an academic English pre-master's or bridge programme at a US four-year university in the last two years.
Free test: are you at Claremont Graduate 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.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
How to check
Scores must be sent to CGU directly by the testing agency; self-reported scores are not official. CGU's TOEFL code is 4053.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your CGU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Claremont Graduate 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 Claremont Graduate University require?+
IELTS 7.0 with no sub-score below 6.5 for direct entry, or 6.0 for admission through the International Scholars Program.
Does CGU accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 125 for direct entry and 105 for the International Scholars Program.
What PTE score does CGU need?+
PTE 66 for direct entry and 50 for the International Scholars Program.
Can I get an IELTS waiver at CGU?+
Yes, if you hold a degree from an institution where English is a primary language of instruction and provide documentation, or meet another exemption on the page.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- USC IELTS requirement
- Pepperdine University IELTS requirement
- Chapman 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.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy