Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Gannon's minimum English scores
From Gannon's Apply to Gannon page for international students. The page gives one list for all applicants and does not split undergraduate from graduate. It says Health Sciences and select graduate programmes may have different standards, and tells you to check with your enrollment advisor.
| Test | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 |
| TOEFL internet-based | 79 |
| PTE | 53 |
| Duolingo | 110 |
| iTEP | 3.8 |
| English3 | 68 |
| EIKEN | Grade Pre-1 |
| MELAB | 80 |
School qualifications Gannon accepts instead
The same page accepts a C in English at A-Level, GCE O-Level, GCSE or IGCSE, WAEC or KCSE; a 5 in English in the International Baccalaureate; an SAT Critical Reading score of 500 or an ACT English score of 21; completion of Level 112 at an ESL language centre; and the Cambridge Advanced or Proficiency certificate with a C.
Gannon says applicants from Australia, Belize, the British West Indies, Canada (excluding Quebec), Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom will probably not need ESL courses. Other countries with an English-language tradition are considered case by case.
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If your score is below the minimum
Applicants without evidence of the minimum can be tested on arrival and, if needed, enrol in Gannon's English as a Second Language programme. Scores below the listed numbers mean ESL courses rather than a refusal, according to the page.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Gannon programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Gannon 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 Gannon University need?+
IELTS 6.0. The page lists no minimum for each band. Health Sciences and some graduate programmes may set different standards.
Does Gannon accept Duolingo?+
Yes. The minimum Duolingo score is 110.
Does Gannon accept PTE?+
Yes, with a minimum of 53. TOEFL iBT needs 79.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS for Gannon?+
Gannon lists Nigeria among countries whose applicants will probably not need ESL courses, and it accepts a C in WAEC English as evidence.
Keep reading
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- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
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- 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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