Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Elmhurst English requirements by level
From Elmhurst's international first-year requirements and international graduate requirements. Both pages list the same preferred tests.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| First-year | 6.5 composite | TOEFL iBT 4 (79 pre-21 Jan 2026), Duolingo 110, SAT EBRW 520, ACT English and Reading 22, PTE 55 (2027 on), Cambridge 160 |
| Graduate | 6.5 composite | TOEFL iBT 4 (79 pre-21 Jan 2026), Duolingo 110, SAT EBRW 520, ACT 22, PTE 55 (2027 on), Cambridge 160 |
Other ways to qualify
First-year applicants can also use two semesters of US college writing at B or better, completion of an American international school or IB programme in English, IGCSE or O-level English as a First Language at C or 4, AS or A-level English at C, or a CSAT English score of 1. Being a citizen of, and attending high school in, a listed country such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, the UK or Australia also qualifies; India and Pakistan are not listed.
Graduate applicants can also qualify with a master's degree in English, sent directly by the university, plus a Zoom interview with the programme director.
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Deadlines and scholarships
First-year international applications run from 1 September to 1 May, or until spaces are filled. Graduate applicants admitted on an F-1 visa receive a total programme scholarship of up to $5,000, and must send a Declaration of Finances and tuition deposit before the I-20 is issued.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Elmhurst programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst University require?+
An IELTS composite of 6.5 for first-year and graduate international applicants.
Does Elmhurst accept PTE?+
PTE Academic and PTE Express are listed at 55 for 2027 and beyond.
Does Elmhurst accept Duolingo?+
Yes, at a minimum of 110.
Is there a scholarship for international graduate students at Elmhurst?+
Yes. F-1 graduate students receive a total programme scholarship of up to $5,000.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Benedictine University IELTS requirement
- DePaul University IELTS requirement
- Loyola University Chicago 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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