Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UHD English requirements by level
From UHD's international English language requirement page and the international MBA admission process page. The undergraduate page gives an overall IELTS score only. For graduate applicants it says to check the English Language Proficiency Requirement on your programme's webpage, and the graduate international admissions page also points to programme websites for programme requirements.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 (or 550 paper, 213 computer) |
| MBA (international applicants) | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 81 |
| Other graduate programmes | Set on each programme page | Set on each programme page |
Exemptions for undergraduates
You are exempt if you graduated from a secondary school in Australia, the Bahamas, Belize, the British Islands, Ghana, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Trinidad, the United States, the Virgin Islands, the West Indies or Zimbabwe. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nigeria are not on that list.
Transfer students may be exempt if they have passed 12 or more college-level hours in the United States with a grade of C or better, including Composition I and II.
Free test: are you at UHD's score yet?
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What the page does not cover
The undergraduate page does not list PTE Academic, Duolingo or Cambridge exams, and it says nothing about conditional admission or how old a score may be. If you plan to use any test other than IELTS or TOEFL, ask UHD International Admissions to confirm it in writing before you book.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UHD programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) 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 Houston-Downtown need?+
IELTS 6.5 overall for undergraduate admission. The page sets no band minimums.
What IELTS does the UHD MBA need?+
The international MBA admission page lists IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 81.
Does UHD accept Duolingo or PTE?+
The undergraduate English page lists only TOEFL and IELTS. Check with International Admissions before using another test.
Are Indian students exempt from IELTS at UHD?+
No. India is not on UHD's list of countries whose secondary school graduates are exempt.
Keep reading
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- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- 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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