Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Emerson College English requirements
From Emerson's undergraduate international applicants page. The IELTS minimum is an overall score; the page sets section minimums for TOEFL only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 7.0 | TOEFL 5 (4 each section) from 2026 or 95 (20 each section) before 2026, Duolingo 125, Cambridge English (Advanced or Proficiency) 185, PTE Academic 65 |
Who can skip the test
Applicants from a country where English is not the national or primary language must send a score unless they are completing a fourth consecutive year of secondary study at an English-language institution. A qualifying SAT or ACT score automatically satisfies the requirement. Applicants from a country where English is the national or primary language complete the English Proficiency Waiver in their Admission Portal.
Emerson accepts the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. It does not accept the IELTS Indicator or TOEFL ITP Plus for China.
Free test: are you at Emerson College'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.
Applying
The $65 application fee is waived for all international applicants. Use the exact name on your passport in the application. This guide covers undergraduate admission; graduate programmes set their requirements through graduate admissions.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Emerson programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Emerson College 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 Emerson College require?+
IELTS 7.0 for international undergraduate applicants.
Does Emerson College accept Duolingo?+
Yes. The minimum is Duolingo 125.
Does Emerson accept IELTS Indicator?+
No. Emerson does not accept the IELTS Indicator or TOEFL ITP Plus for China.
Does Emerson accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 65.
Can the SAT replace IELTS at Emerson?+
Yes. A qualifying SAT or ACT score automatically satisfies the English requirement.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 7.0
- Simmons University IELTS requirement
- Suffolk University IELTS requirement
- Lesley 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