Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 5 November 2026
Scores by level of study
From the Queens first-year admission process and international graduate admissions pages. These are separate from the university in Canada and the one in Belfast that share the Queen's name.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year | 6.0 or higher | TOEFL iBT 4.5 (79 before 21 January 2026); Duolingo 110; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 480; ACT English 18 |
| Graduate | 6.5 composite | TOEFL iBT 4.5 (79 before 21 January 2026); ELS Level 112 |
Who does not need a score
First-year applicants do not need a test score if they completed a US-based high school diploma in English with at least one full academic year of non-ESL coursework, or if they completed Level 112 at an ELS Language Centre in the United States.
The graduate page offers TOEFL, IELTS or the ELS English for Academic Purposes programme to meet the requirement. It lists neither Duolingo nor the SAT and ACT as graduate options.
Free test: are you at Queens University of Charlotte'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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Graduate limits and how to check
The graduate page warns that US visa rules leave most international students unable to enrol in fully online programmes, so check the delivery mode before you apply. Graduate applicants who studied outside the US also need a course-by-course evaluation from a service such as World Education Services, and financial documentation.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on the Queens University of Charlotte admissions page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Queens University of Charlotte 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 Queens University of Charlotte require?+
6.0 or higher for first-year undergraduates and a minimum composite of 6.5 for graduate applicants.
Is Duolingo accepted?+
The first-year page accepts Duolingo at 110 or higher. The graduate page does not list it.
What TOEFL score is needed?+
TOEFL iBT 4.5 or higher, or 79 or higher for exams taken before 21 January 2026.
Does ELS count?+
Yes. Successful completion of ELS Level 112 meets the standard for first-year and graduate applicants.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Queen's University (Canada) IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores and universities
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 5688 guides
Guide updated on 5 November 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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