Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
EKU IELTS levels
From EKU's international admissions page.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate and transfer | 6.0, 5.0 in every skill | TOEFL iBT 71 (PBT 530, CBT 195), no band below 16; Duolingo 95 |
| Graduate | 6.0, 5.0 in every skill | TOEFL iBT 71, no band below 16; Duolingo 95; PTE 51 |
Other tests
The page lists PTE only for graduate applicants. It also lists Duolingo 95 for online programmes. It does not list English test waivers.
Free test: are you at Eastern Kentucky 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.
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How to check
The page does not state how long scores remain valid. EKU's International Student and Scholar Services office and admissions counsellors can confirm details for your programme.
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement EKU sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture, see IELTS for the USA.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your EKU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Eastern Kentucky 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 does EKU need?+
6.0 overall with 5.0 or above in every skill, for undergraduate and graduate applicants.
Does EKU accept Duolingo?+
Yes, with a score of 95 or higher.
Does EKU accept PTE?+
The page lists PTE 51 for graduate applicants only.
What TOEFL score does EKU need?+
71 internet-based with no band score below 16.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Northern Kentucky University IELTS requirement
- Western Kentucky University IELTS requirement
- Murray State University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- 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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