What IELTS score do you need for Georgetown University?

Applicants show proficiency either with a bachelor's or advanced degree from an accredited US institution or a university where English is the primary language of instruction, or with the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score for their program: TOEFL 80 or 100 on the original scale (4 or 5 on the new scale from 21 January 2026), or IELTS 7.0 or 7.5. Scores must come from the testing agency by the application deadline, and applications are not considered without them. Duolingo and PTE are not listed. The TOEFL code is 5244 and IELTS is sent electronically to Georgetown University Graduate Studies. See application information.

The McCourt School of Public Policy asks for TOEFL 100 (5 on the new scale) or IELTS Academic 7.0, accepts the TOEFL Special Home Edition for fall 2027, and waives the test only if English is the language of instruction for the entire institution where you earned your degree. See McCourt international applicants.

Georgetown Law requires TOEFL or IELTS, taken no more than two years before you apply, from anyone whose first law degree was not taught in English or was taught in English in a country where English is not the primary language. The LL.M. and M.S.L. minimums are TOEFL 100 (5 on the new scale) or IELTS 7.5. Rarely, an interview or significant work experience in English can be combined with a score slightly below the minimum, and written waiver requests are considered at the committee's discretion. See Law requirements.

McDonough requires TOEFL, IELTS or PTE from non-US applicants unless their bachelor's or advanced degree is from the US or an English-medium institution. The minimums are TOEFL iBT 100, IELTS 7 (Academic only) or PTE 68, no more than two years old. TOEFL Essentials is not accepted, and the ETS code is 5781. See MBA application components.

Georgetown recommends, but does not require, an English proficiency result for students whose school does not teach in English, and accepts the Duolingo English Test, IELTS or TOEFL for it. Georgetown requires SAT or ACT scores from all candidates, including international students, except where a test centre is physically inaccessible. See international applicants.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement Georgetown sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture of studying in the US with each test, see IELTS for the USA and PTE for the USA.

Requirements change between admission cycles. Check the Georgetown Graduate School application information page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar. To see where you stand now, take a timed IELTS mock test.