Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
IUP English minimums by level
From IUP's undergraduate student requirements and graduate student requirements pages for international students.
| Level or programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL Essentials 4, TOEFL ITP 500, Duolingo 90, PTE 46, Cambridge 160, GTEC 1100 |
| Graduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 76, TOEFL Essentials 4.5, Duolingo 110, PTE 53, Cambridge 179, GTEC 1280 |
| Graduate Bridge Program (with department approval) | 5.5 | TOEFL ITP 500, TOEFL iBT 61/4, Duolingo 90 |
Waivers
Undergraduates from countries on IUP's exempt list do not submit scores. A C or higher in an equivalent English composition course at another US college plus 12 college-level credits waives TOEFL or IELTS, and US high school attendees may submit SAT, ACT or AP English scores.
At graduate level the requirement may be waived for residents of English-dominant countries, graduates of an accredited US institution or an institution in an approved country, applicants whose transcript shows the degree was taught and examined in English, and students who completed the ALI Bridge pathway.
Free test: are you at IUP's score yet?
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Provisional admission and the American Language Institute
Undergraduates who meet every requirement except English can be admitted provisionally and study at the American Language Institute (ALI). Completing nine credits in the Bridge program waives TOEFL or IELTS.
Graduate provisional admission is limited to listed programmes, including the MBA, the MS in Information Systems and Management, the MS in Health Services Administration, the MA in Human Resources and Employment Relations, the MS in Biology and the MS in Sport Management. Provisional admits have one year to meet the English requirement.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your IUP programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) 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 IUP need for a master's?+
IELTS 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 76, Duolingo 110 or PTE 53.
What IELTS does IUP need for a bachelor's degree?+
IELTS 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 61, Duolingo 90 or PTE 46.
Can I join IUP without the required IELTS?+
Yes, through provisional admission and study at the American Language Institute, for undergraduate degrees and listed graduate programmes such as the MBA.
Is IELTS waived if my degree was taught in English?+
For graduate study, IUP may waive it if your official transcript shows the degree was taught and examined in English.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- University of Pittsburgh IELTS requirement
- Penn State IELTS requirement
- Robert Morris University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- 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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