Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Franklin English minimums
From Franklin's undergraduate application page and graduate application page.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 90, Duolingo 110 |
| MA Sustainability and Transformation (MAST) | 6.5 overall band | TOEFL 90, Cambridge 160 to 179 (CEFR B2 or higher) |
Who needs a test
For undergraduates, the test applies if your primary language of instruction was not English. For MAST, it applies if your previous degree was not taught in English, so an English-medium bachelor's can meet the requirement.
Franklin also offers Academic English, German, French and Italian courses that MAST students may take optionally.
Free test: are you at Franklin University Switzerland's score yet?
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Application fee and deadlines
The undergraduate application fee is CHF 50 or USD 65, waived if you apply by 15 November (extended deadline) for spring or 1 December for fall, should you enrol. A fall application by 1 December may also qualify for a USD 1,000 reduction depending on residency and enrolment type.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Franklin programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Franklin University Switzerland 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 Franklin University Switzerland need?+
IELTS 6.5 for undergraduates and for the MAST master's.
Does Franklin University Switzerland accept Duolingo?+
Yes, for undergraduates, with a minimum of 110.
Do I need IELTS for MAST if my bachelor's was in English?+
No. The test applies only if your previous degree was not taught in English.
Is Franklin University Switzerland the same as Franklin University in Ohio?+
No. Franklin University Switzerland is a separate institution in Lugano with its own requirements.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in Switzerland accepting IELTS 6.5
- IELTS for Switzerland
- Franklin University (Ohio) IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- 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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