LMU English requirements at a glance
Sources: LMU Graduate Admission's international students page, Seaver College's international students page, the College of Business Administration's international applicants page, and the University Bulletin's admission section. Section minimums are not stated. LMU's TOEFL code is 4403.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate (most programs, incl. business) | 7.0 | 5 (old scale 100) | 130 | Not listed |
| Seaver College of Science and Engineering (grad) | 6.5 | 79 | 105–110 | Not listed |
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | 4.5 (old scale 90) | 120 | 56 |
Graduate: IELTS 7 for most programs, 6.5 for engineering
All graduate applicants take TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test unless they earned a high school diploma or bachelor's degree in the US. Most programs need IELTS 7, Duolingo 130 and TOEFL 100 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 5 (later tests). Exceptions may be made for students from countries where English is one of several official languages and at the program director's discretion (the dean's, in the School of Education); LMU does not list those countries. See graduate international students.
Seaver College of Science and Engineering, home to LMU's engineering and computer science master's, requires TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105–110; its page does not give a new-scale TOEFL figure. The Bulletin confirms Seaver's 79 for tests before 21 January 2026 and gives 5.0 as the university minimum for later tests. Graduate business programs ask for TOEFL 100 or 5, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 130. If your English proves inadequate after admission, LMU can require more English study. See Seaver College, business and the Bulletin.
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Undergraduate: IELTS 6.5 or PTE 56
The Bulletin sets undergraduate minimums at TOEFL 4.5 for tests after 21 January 2026 (90 on the iBT before), IELTS 6.5, PTE Academic 56 and Duolingo 120. See the University Bulletin.
Student visa and next steps
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement LMU 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 LMU graduate international students page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Loyola Marymount University (LMU) 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 do I need for a master's at LMU?+
IELTS 7 for most graduate programs, including business. Seaver College of Science and Engineering accepts 6.5.
What TOEFL score does LMU need on the new scale?+
5 for graduate programs and 4.5 for undergraduates, for tests after 21 January 2026. On the old scale it was 100 (79 for Seaver) and 90.
Does LMU accept PTE Academic?+
For undergraduates, yes, at 56. LMU's graduate pages list only TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo.
Does LMU accept Duolingo for graduate admission?+
Yes. Most programs need 130; Seaver College lists 105–110.
Are Indian students exempt from IELTS at LMU?+
Not automatically. LMU may make exceptions for countries where English is one of several official languages, at the program director's discretion, but it does not name countries.
Keep reading
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Verified against the linked official sources on 15 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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