What IELTS score do you need for Northeastern University?

All first-year and transfer applicants must demonstrate English proficiency regardless of citizenship. Non-native English speakers submit an approved test or request a waiver through the Application Status Check. Approved tests are Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, Duolingo, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT (in-person or iBT Home Edition). Northeastern does not accept IELTS Indicator, PTE Academic Online, TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL iBT Paper Test or TOEFL ITP. Results must be no more than two years old, MyBest is not considered, and the most recent result counts.

Northeastern waives the requirement if you will complete four consecutive full-time academic years where English was the primary instructional language immediately before enrolling, and request the waiver in the portal. Applicants whose scores show a need for support may be considered for NU Immerse, a one-year transition program. See Northeastern Admissions.

Northeastern's graduate site says most programs require TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo scores, and that "preferred minimum scores and exams accepted vary by college". A bachelor's or master's taught only in English can exempt you; contact the college admissions office about waivers. See graduate international applicants.

Example: the College of Engineering requires TOEFL 79 (or 4.0 on the 2026 scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105, accepts TOEFL Home Edition, and does not list PTE. The Computer Science concentration of Robotics follows Khoury College's higher thresholds and does not accept Duolingo. See College of Engineering admissions.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement Northeastern sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture of studying in the US with each test, see IELTS for the USA and PTE for the USA.

Requirements change between admission cycles. Check the Northeastern Undergraduate Admissions page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.