Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
IU South Bend English requirements by level
From IUSB's English proficiency page for international admissions.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 71 (4.0 from 21 Jan 2026), PTE 48, Duolingo 100, Cambridge B2, EIKEN Pre-1, SAT EBRW 530 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79 (4.5 from 21 Jan 2026), PTE 53, Duolingo 105, Cambridge B2, EIKEN 1 |
Other ways to meet the requirement
WAEC Senior Secondary Certificate English, O-level English and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education English at grade A or B are accepted at both levels, as are Cambridge IGCSE or GCE O level English at C or higher.
Study routes include ELS Level 109 (undergraduate) or 112 (graduate), and three years of US high school, 24 transferable credits or a degree from a US institution or a listed country.
Free test: are you at Indiana University South Bend's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Placement tests and how to check
First-time international undergraduates and most non-native English-speaking graduate students take English placement tests on arrival unless exempt. Some graduate programmes require a higher level of English than the minimums above.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your IU South Bend programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Indiana University South Bend 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 IU South Bend require?+
IELTS 6.0 for undergraduates and 6.5 for graduate applicants.
Does IU South Bend accept WAEC English?+
Yes. WAEC SSCE English at grade A or B is listed for both levels.
Does IU South Bend accept Duolingo?+
Yes. 100 for undergraduates and 105 for graduate applicants.
Does IU South Bend offer conditional admission?+
Yes, for applicants who meet academic requirements but not the English requirement.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Indiana University IELTS requirement
- Indiana University Northwest IELTS requirement
- Purdue Fort Wayne 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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