Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Kentucky State English requirements by level
From the international admission requirements page and the graduate admission page.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate freshmen | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 70, Duolingo 95, or SAT 960 / ACT 18 |
| Transfer (24+ credits) | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 70, Duolingo 95, or ESL programme completion |
| Graduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 70, TOEFL paper 525, TOEFL computer 194, Duolingo 100 |
When scores are not needed
The international page says scores are not required if English is your primary language, your degree courses were taught in English, you hold a degree from a US institution or an English-speaking country, or you completed an English training programme such as ESL.
Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable credits are asked for TOEFL 70 or IELTS 6.0, or ESL completion; Duolingo is not listed for that group.
Free test: are you at Kentucky State University'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.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Conditional admission and how to check
Conditional admission through the KSU International Bridge Pathway places students in the KSU ESL Program. On completion they move into a degree programme without needing TOEFL or IELTS. The graduate page says the GRE is not required for international applicants.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Kentucky State programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Kentucky State 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 Kentucky State University require?+
IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate and graduate applicants.
Does Kentucky State accept Duolingo?+
Yes. 95 for freshmen and transfers with 24 or more credits, and 100 for graduate applicants.
Does Kentucky State offer conditional admission?+
Yes, through the KSU International Bridge Pathway and the KSU ESL Program.
Is the GRE required at Kentucky State?+
The graduate admission page says the GRE is not required.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Eastern Kentucky University IELTS requirement
- University of Kentucky IELTS requirement
- Murray State 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.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy