Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Shenandoah English scores by level
From Shenandoah's international first-year page and its graduate application page. Both set the same overall IELTS score.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| First-year | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79 (83 for nursing, health professions, music therapy) or 4.5 from 21 Jan 2026; PTE 53; Duolingo 105; Cambridge 176; SAT EBRW 480; ACT English 18 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | Same tests; CAS applicants (CASPA, PTCAS, PharmCAS and others) can send only TOEFL or IELTS |
Exemptions
A high school diploma from a listed country, such as the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or several Caribbean countries, meets the requirement. A post-secondary degree with GPA 2.5 or higher from a longer list, which includes Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Singapore and the Philippines, also counts.
You can also complete the equivalent of Shenandoah's ENG 101 with a B or better at a US institution, or an approved English language programme. Some post-professional graduate programmes accept a US licence as proof.
Free test: are you at Shenandoah University's score yet?
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How to check your score
All tests must be within two years of submission, except ACT, which can be up to five years old. Check the programme page if you apply to nursing or health professions, as the TOEFL bar is higher there.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Shenandoah programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Shenandoah 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 Shenandoah University require?+
IELTS 6.5, taken within two years of submission, for first-year and graduate applicants.
Does Shenandoah accept PTE and Duolingo?+
Yes. PTE 53 or Duolingo 105.
Is the TOEFL requirement higher for nursing at Shenandoah?+
Yes. Nursing, health professions and music therapy need TOEFL iBT 83 on tests before 21 January 2026.
Are Nigerian graduates exempt at Shenandoah?+
A post-secondary degree from Nigeria with GPA 2.5 or higher meets the requirement.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- George Mason University IELTS requirement
- James Madison University IELTS requirement
- Bridgewater College IELTS requirement
- How long is an IELTS score 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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