Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
PLU English requirements
From PLU's international undergraduate application checklist. It gives overall scores only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.0, PTE 56, Duolingo 115, SAT English 500, ACT English 21 |
| Graduate | Not on this page | Check your PLU graduate programme |
Other ways to meet the requirement
PLU also accepts one college-level English class with a B or better (semester system) or two (quarter system), GCE O-level English B, or a pre-approved non-PLU ESL programme at CEFR B2. A secondary diploma from Nordic countries or the Netherlands with a high school English score of 7 or higher counts.
A secondary diploma from a long list of countries where English is the medium of instruction also counts. The list includes the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia and the Philippines. For other countries, PLU may accept an official letter or attested mark sheets showing English instruction, case by case, after at least two years at the school. India and Pakistan are not on the list.
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Applying
International students apply through the Common Application, and PLU says it is free to apply. If admitted, you send a bank statement, passport copy and a $400 enrolment deposit before PLU issues your I-20 or DS-2019.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your PLU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Pacific Lutheran University 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 Pacific Lutheran University require?+
IELTS 6.5 for international undergraduate admission.
Does PLU accept Duolingo?+
Yes, at 115.
Can Indian students use a medium of instruction letter at PLU?+
Possibly. For countries not on its list, PLU reviews official proof of English instruction case by case, after at least two years at the school.
Does PLU accept PTE?+
Yes, at 56.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Seattle Pacific University IELTS requirement
- Seattle University IELTS requirement
- University of Washington IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- 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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