Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Franklin English requirements by level
From Franklin's international students admissions page. The graduate figures apply to graduate and doctoral programmes in the US.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 5.5 overall, 5.5 in each band | TOEFL iBT 75 (R19, W19, L19, S18), PTE Academic 53, Duolingo 100, Accuplacer ESL 285 |
| Graduate and doctoral (US) | 6.0 overall, 6.0 in each band | TOEFL iBT 79 (R20, W20, L20, S19), PTE Academic 57, Duolingo 105, Accuplacer ESL 295 |
Exemptions and the Accuplacer ESL route
You are exempt if you are a citizen of a country where English is the primary language of education. Franklin's list includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius, the UK, Ireland, Australia and Canada (except Quebec). India and Pakistan are not on it. Official documents from an English-medium institution can also count.
Franklin administers the Accuplacer ESL exams itself. You may retake them at most twice in two weeks, after which a three-month wait applies, and passing scores stay valid at Franklin for two years. Cambridge English Qualifications are also listed for undergraduates.
Free test: are you at Franklin 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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ESL Pathway for graduate applicants
If your scores meet the undergraduate minimum but not the graduate one, you can meet the graduate requirement by completing an ESL Pathway Program in your first semester of a Franklin graduate programme.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Franklin programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Franklin 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 Franklin University require?+
IELTS Academic 5.5 in every band for undergraduates, and 6.0 in every band for graduate and doctoral programmes.
Is Franklin University's IELTS requirement band-by-band?+
Yes. Franklin lists the overall score and the same minimum for reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Are Nigerian applicants exempt at Franklin?+
Yes. Nigeria is on Franklin's list of countries where English is the primary language of education.
What if I meet the undergraduate score but not the graduate one?+
You can complete an ESL Pathway Program in your first graduate semester.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- Ohio State University IELTS requirement
- University of Cincinnati IELTS requirement
- Bellevue University IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- 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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