Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
MSUM English requirements by level
From MSUM's international first-year admissions page and its graduate international admissions page.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 5.5 overall | TOEFL 3.5 (2026 scale) or 61 iBT legacy, Duolingo 95, iTEP 3.7, PTE Academic 50 |
| Graduate | 6.5 overall | TOEFL iBT 78-80 or 550 PBT, Duolingo 120 |
Exempt countries and transfers
Undergraduates from the listed exempt countries need no test. The list includes Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zambia. Ghana, Nigeria, Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone are on it only with a B3 or better in English on the WASSCE/WAEC certificate.
Transfer students from a US college with a C or better in an approved English composition course also meet the requirement. MSUM does not accept letters from secondary schools outside the US as proof of English.
Free test: are you at MSUM'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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Sending scores
Only scores sent directly by the testing organisation are accepted. IELTS e-delivery goes to Minnesota State Moorhead, the TOEFL code is 6678, and the PTE code is Y7J. Undergraduates also need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your MSUM programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) 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 Minnesota State Moorhead require?+
An overall band of 5.5 for undergraduates and 6.5 for graduate applicants.
Does MSUM accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 95 for undergraduates and 120 for graduate applicants.
Are Nigerian students exempt at MSUM?+
Nigerian undergraduates are exempt if they have B3 or better in English on the WASSCE/WAEC certificate.
Does MSUM accept a school letter as proof of English?+
No. MSUM does not accept letters from secondary schools outside the US.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- Metropolitan State University (Minnesota) IELTS requirement
- North Dakota State University IELTS requirement
- St. Cloud State University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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