Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
Marian's accepted tests
From Marian's international first-year student page. The table gives overall scores and no section minimums for general admission.
| Test | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 48 |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 |
| TOEFL iBT, tests before 21 January 2026 | 69 |
| TOEFL iBT, tests on or after 21 January 2026 | 4.0 overall |
| ELS | Level 112 |
Waivers, including Nigeria
Marian may waive the requirement if you completed at least three years of upper secondary school in a qualifying country, at least one year of US high school, or at least 24 credits at an accredited US college or university.
The qualifying list on the page includes Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Singapore, the Philippines, Canada, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, among others. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal do not appear on it, so applicants from those countries should plan on a test.
Free test: are you at Marian 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.
Nursing and checking
Before starting clinical nursing courses, BSN students whose first language is not English must show IELTS Academic 6.5 or higher with a speaking score of at least 7, TOEFL iBT 83 with speaking 26, or Duolingo 120. A conferred US bachelor's degree or four years of US formal education also satisfies it.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Marian programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Marian 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 Marian University need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 for general admission as a first-year international student.
What IELTS does Marian need for nursing?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 or higher with a speaking score of at least 7, before clinical nursing courses.
Does Marian accept PTE Academic?+
Yes. The minimum listed is 48.
Is Nigeria on Marian's waiver list?+
Yes. Three years of upper secondary school in Nigeria is one of the qualifying conditions on the page.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Butler University IELTS requirement
- University of Indianapolis IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 5669 guides
Guide updated on 4 November 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