Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
NEIU English requirements by level
From the international students section of NEIU's catalogue and its English language proficiency page.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 composite | TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL ITP (at SAELL) 500, PTE Academic 44, Duolingo 105, Cambridge B2 First 170 |
| Graduate | 6.5 composite | TOEFL iBT 79, TOEFL ITP (at SAELL) 550, PTE Academic 53, Duolingo 120, Cambridge B2 First 180 |
Exemptions
NEIU's proficiency page exempts students from a list of countries that includes Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom; students with at least three academic years of education exclusively in English at high school or university level; and students with 24 credit hours from a regionally accredited US college (GPA 2.0 for undergraduate or 2.75 for graduate admission).
The catalogue adds that you may be eligible for a waiver if you completed high school or university at an English-medium school, using the English Proficiency Waiver or by contacting international-programs@neiu.edu.
Free test: are you at NEIU'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.
SAELL and conditional admission
Instead of a test score, you can enrol in NEIU's SAELL Intensive English Program and pass Level 4 with at least 80% in all core classes. Applicants who do not meet the minimum may be considered for International Conditional Admission with SAELL.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your NEIU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) 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 Northeastern Illinois University require?+
An IELTS composite of 6.0 for undergraduates and 6.5 for graduate programmes.
Does NEIU accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 105 for undergraduates and 120 for graduate study.
What PTE score does NEIU need?+
PTE Academic 44 for undergraduates and 53 for graduate study.
Do Nigerian students need IELTS for NEIU?+
Nigeria is on NEIU's exempt-country list, so students from there may be exempted from test results.
Does NEIU offer conditional admission?+
Yes. Applicants below the minimum may be considered for International Conditional Admission with the SAELL programme.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- UIC IELTS requirement
- Chicago State University IELTS requirement
- Saint Xavier 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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