Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
UH Hilo English requirements by level
From the international undergraduate admissions page and the graduate admission policies.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (direct entry) | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 61, TOEFL paper-delivered 46, Duolingo 90, EIKEN 2A, SAT EBRW 525 |
| Graduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 67, Duolingo 100, Cambridge (C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency) 161 |
Exemptions and other routes
Undergraduates who will have completed three years of full-time English-medium schooling in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States do not need a test score. ACT English and Reading of 40 combined, with neither below 18, also qualifies.
Graduate applicants with a bachelor's degree from an English-speaking institution are exempt.
Free test: are you at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo'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.
English Language Institute and how to check
Undergraduates who meet the academic requirements but have no test, or a score below the minimum, may be admitted first into the English Language Institute. Unless exempt, non-native speakers take English and writing placement assessments on arrival. Graduate regular admission usually needs a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credits.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UH Hilo programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 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 UH Hilo require?+
IELTS 5.5 for direct undergraduate entry and IELTS 6.0 for graduate programmes.
Can I apply to UH Hilo without an IELTS score?+
Undergraduates who meet academic requirements may be admitted first into the English Language Institute.
Does UH Hilo accept Duolingo?+
Yes. 90 for undergraduates and 100 for graduate applicants.
What TOEFL score does UH Hilo need for a master's?+
TOEFL iBT 67.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- University of Hawaii at Manoa IELTS requirement
- Hawaii Pacific University IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy