Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
CUW English requirements by level
From CUW's international admission requirements page. The page states that CUW has no minimum subscore requirements.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6 | TOEFL 61 (4.0 after 21 Jan 2026), PTE/PTE Express 55, Duolingo 95, Oxford ELLT 6.0, KTE 445, MET 53, B2 First 160 |
| Undergraduate nursing | Above 6.5 | TOEFL above 79 (4.5), PTE 61, Duolingo 100 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 79 (4.5 after 21 Jan 2026), PTE/PTE Express 61, Duolingo 105, Oxford ELLT 7, KTE 480, MET 58, C1 Advanced 180 |
| DPT, MOT and OTD (no exceptions) | 6.5 | TOEFL 89, Duolingo 120 |
Exemptions
Undergraduates are exempt with an ACT or SAT score, an IB curriculum or British O or A levels, a home country that is test exempt, at least one year of study in an exempt country, or completed ESL coursework with CUW partners (MLC, WESLI, ELS). Graduate applicants are exempt with a bachelor's or master's from an exempt country, among the same routes.
The exempt list includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia. CUW states plainly that India is not English test exempt.
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Partner language schools
If you miss the score, you can first attend a partner school (ELS Level 112, Kaplan Advanced, MLC Advanced or WESLI 700 level) and then be considered as a transfer student, or take CUW's ESL programme run with Oxford ELLT. Undergraduates need a 2.5 GPA equivalent and graduates a 3.0; the GRE and GMAT are not required for graduate admission.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your CUW programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Concordia University Wisconsin 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 Concordia University Wisconsin require?+
IELTS 6 for undergraduates and 6.5 for graduate programmes, with no subscore minimums.
Are Indian students exempt from IELTS at CUW?+
No. CUW states that India is not English test exempt.
Does CUW accept PTE Express?+
Yes. PTE or PTE Express 55 for undergraduates and 61 for graduates.
What IELTS do CUW physical therapy and occupational therapy need?+
IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 89 or Duolingo 120, with no exceptions.
Keep reading
Related
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- 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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