Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
MSU Denver English requirements
From MSU Denver's undergraduate international English proficiency requirements. Graduate applicants should check the Graduate Studies admission requirements for their programme.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 overall band | TOEFL iBT 4.0 new or 72 old, PTE Academic 51, Duolingo 105, LanguageCert 65, MET 59 |
| Graduate | Not on this page | Check MSU Denver Graduate Studies |
Other tests and exemptions
MSU Denver accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition but not TOEFL Essentials or MyBest scores. ACT (18 in English and 17 overall), SAT (470 in Reading and Writing), Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (169) and AP English (3 or higher) also count, and these are valid for five years.
Citizens of listed majority English-speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand and the UK, may have the test waived. So may applicants who completed an accredited Intensive English Language Program within the past five years. MSU Denver does not accept medium of instruction as proof, and reviews other evidence case by case.
Free test: are you at MSU Denver'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
Official documents must come directly from the testing service, school or exam board. The Office of Admissions can ask for more proof of English even if you meet a listed condition.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your MSU Denver programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) 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 MSU Denver require?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall band for international undergraduate admission.
Does MSU Denver accept an English medium of instruction letter?+
No. The page says it does not accept medium of instruction as measurable proof of English proficiency.
Does MSU Denver accept PTE and Duolingo?+
Yes. PTE Academic 51 and Duolingo 105, both valid for two years.
Does MSU Denver accept TOEFL MyBest?+
No. It accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition but not TOEFL Essentials or MyBest scores.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- CU Denver IELTS requirement
- University of Denver IELTS requirement
- UCCS IELTS requirement
- University of Northern Colorado IELTS requirement
- 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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