Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
HCU English requirements
From HCU's English proficiency page. The page lists one set of minimum test scores.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Testing option (one test needed) | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 (4.0 after 21 Jan 2026), PTE 53, Duolingo 105, SAT 480 EBRW and 1010, ACT 20 English and 21 composite, CLT 68 |
Waivers and exemptions
Two semesters of non-remedial freshman English with a C or better count, as does graduating from an accredited US high school or an international school taught fully in English.
Graduate and post-baccalaureate applicants with a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution taught in English meet the requirement. Completing Level 8 at Language Consultants International, The Learning Institute of Texas or BEI also counts, and applicants from listed English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and Jamaica may be exempt.
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Sending scores and how to check
There is no institution code for IELTS, so ask for your score to be sent to HCU directly. Only original score reports sent by the testing service are considered.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your HCU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Houston Christian 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 Houston Christian University require?+
IELTS 6.5.
Does HCU accept Duolingo?+
Yes. The minimum Duolingo score is 105.
What PTE score does HCU need?+
PTE Academic 53.
Do graduate applicants need IELTS at HCU?+
Not if they hold a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution where teaching is in English.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- University of Houston IELTS requirement
- Rice University IELTS requirement
- Texas Wesleyan University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 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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