Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
DBU English requirements by level
From DBU's undergraduate admissions catalog and graduate admissions catalog, under international student admission.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0, no band below 5 | TOEFL iBT 71, PTE 48, Duolingo 100 (no sub-section below 90), Cambridge CAE 163, iTEP 3.7, MELAB 80 |
| Graduate (master's) | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 79, PTE 53, Duolingo 110 (no sub-section below 90), Cambridge CAE 169, iTEP 3.9, MELAB 80 |
Other ways to meet the requirement
Undergraduates can also use SAT reading and writing 500, IB Higher Level English A1 at 5, AP English Language and Composition at 3, a KCSE English grade of B, or graduation after two years at an international high school accredited in the US or teaching in English.
Graduate applicants can use passing scores at the highest level of an accredited US university ESL programme, or of a US ESL programme accredited by CEA or ACCET.
Free test: are you at Dallas Baptist University's score yet?
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Intensive English Program
DBU's Intensive English Program says no TOEFL or IELTS is needed to join it. It runs eight-week courses in spring, summer and fall, and the undergraduate application notes that English test scores are not required for students going into the IEP.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your DBU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Dallas Baptist 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 Dallas Baptist University require?+
IELTS 6.0 overall for both levels, with no band below 5 for undergraduates and no band below 5.5 for graduate applicants.
Does DBU accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 100 for undergraduates and 110 for graduate applicants, with no sub-section below 90.
What PTE score does DBU need?+
PTE 48 for undergraduates and 53 for graduate applicants.
Can I study at DBU without IELTS?+
You can start in DBU's Intensive English Program, which does not need TOEFL or IELTS.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- UT Arlington IELTS requirement
- University of North Texas IELTS requirement
- Midwestern State University IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- 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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