Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UCA English requirements by level
From UCA's English proficiency standards page. It says these are general requirements for most programmes and some may require different levels.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 (Academic) | TOEFL 4.0 (61 before Jan 2026), PTE Academic 50, Cambridge CAE 162 |
| Undergraduate, School of Nursing | Not stated separately | TOEFL 83 (before Jan 2026) |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.5 (79 before Jan 2026) |
Other ways to qualify
Undergraduates can also use SAT 520 in Reading/Writing, ACT 19 in Reading and English, IB English (Language A) grade 5, 6 or 7, English Comp I or II at an accredited US university with a C or higher, UCA's Intensive English Program with a B or higher, or citizenship of an exempt country. SAT and ACT scores must be less than five years old.
Graduate applicants can use a degree from a US university. Applicants from listed countries whose first language is English and who graduated from a university taught in English do not need proof. The page does not list Duolingo.
Free test: are you at UCA'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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Sending scores
UCA accepts only official scores sent by the testing agency; test scores or English certificates from a previous institution cannot be accepted. UCA's school code is 6012 for TOEFL and SAT and 0118 for the ACT. Allow three to four weeks for scores to arrive.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UCA programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) 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 the University of Central Arkansas require?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 for undergraduates and 6.5 for graduate applicants.
Does UCA accept PTE?+
Yes for undergraduates, at PTE Academic 50. The graduate table does not list PTE.
Does UCA accept Duolingo?+
The English proficiency standards page does not list Duolingo.
How old can my IELTS be for UCA?+
Test scores must be less than two years old at the time of application.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- University of Arkansas IELTS requirement
- Arkansas State University IELTS requirement
- UA Little Rock IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- 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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