Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
NYU Shanghai English tests by level
From the NYU Shanghai undergraduate testing guidance and the NYU Shanghai–NYU Stern MS standardized tests page.
| Level | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| MS Quantitative Finance, Data Analytics and Business Computing, Marketing and Retail Science, Organization Management and Strategy | 6.5 | TOEFL 90 or new TOEFL 4.5 |
| Undergraduate | Accepted, no minimum published | TOEFL iBT (incl. Home Edition), Duolingo, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
Who needs a test
For undergraduates, testing is required if English is not your native language and you have not had at least three years of schooling where English was the only language of instruction. IELTS Indicator, TOEFL ITP Plus for China and TOEFL Essentials are not accepted. The test must be taken no earlier than two years before the application deadline.
For the MS programmes, the test is required if your native language is not English or your degree was not taught in English. A non-native speaker finishing an English-taught bachelor's that will be conferred before enrolment can request a waiver.
Free test: are you at NYU Shanghai'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.
MS deadlines and score dates
The MS FAQ ties score age to the deadline you apply under: for 31 October 2026 the test must be from 31 October 2024 or later, for 15 January 2027 from 15 January 2025, and for 5 April 2027 from 5 April 2025. Review can start on an unofficial score, but an official score is needed for the final decision. GMAT and GRE are not required.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your NYU Shanghai programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where NYU Shanghai 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 NYU Shanghai need?+
IELTS 6.5 for its MS programmes with NYU Stern. For undergraduates, IELTS Academic is accepted but no minimum score is published.
Does NYU Shanghai accept Duolingo?+
Yes, for undergraduate applicants. The MS programmes ask for IELTS or TOEFL.
Does NYU Shanghai accept IELTS Indicator?+
No. IELTS Indicator is not accepted for undergraduate admission.
How old can my IELTS be?+
No more than two years before the application deadline you apply under.
Keep reading
Related
- NYU IELTS requirement
- IELTS for China
- Duke Kunshan University IELTS requirement
- How long is IELTS valid?
- 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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