Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
MCPHS English minimums
From MCPHS's international applicants page.
| Level or programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate admission | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL ITP 550, PTE 58, Duolingo 115, iTEP 4.0 |
| Undergraduate Bridge Admission | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 69, TOEFL ITP 498, PTE 50, Duolingo 105, iTEP 3.7 |
| CAPPS programmes; MS and PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry | Not stated | 90 TOEFL or equivalent |
Waivers
MCPHS says the test may be waived on an individual basis, for example for students who attended all four years of US high school (excluding ESL courses), scored 480 or higher on SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, completed high school under an IB or A2 curriculum or at a US-accredited school abroad, or hold a bachelor's or higher from a US institution.
An ESL school completion certificate at the listed levels can be submitted instead of a test score.
Free test: are you at MCPHS's score yet?
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Graduate applicants
The page gives only TOEFL 90 for the higher-level graduate programmes and no IELTS equivalent, so confirm the IELTS score with admissions before you book.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your MCPHS programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where MCPHS (Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences) 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 MCPHS need?+
IELTS 6.5 for undergraduate admission, or 5.5 for Bridge Admission.
Does MCPHS accept Duolingo?+
Yes. 115 for undergraduate admission and 105 for Bridge Admission.
What English score do MCPHS pharmaceutics master's need?+
90 TOEFL or equivalent for the MS and PhD in Pharmaceutics, Pharmacology and Medicinal Chemistry.
Does MCPHS accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 58, or 50 for Bridge Admission.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- Northeastern University IELTS requirement
- Wentworth Institute of Technology IELTS requirement
- Boston 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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