Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
UMES English requirements by level
From the undergraduate international students page and the graduate English proficiency page.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Not listed | TOEFL iBT 62, or ACT or SAT |
| Graduate | 6.5 (Academic) | TOEFL 90; Duolingo accepted as alternative proof (no score listed) |
Exemptions and waivers
UMES treats as native speakers those educated entirely in the United States, United Kingdom, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and the Commonwealth Caribbean.
Exceptions may be made for non-native speakers who completed a full-time degree or diploma in an English-speaking country taught in English. The requirement is waived for international students with a UMES bachelor's degree or seniors who will have completed four years of US undergraduate study.
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Scores and how to check
TOEFL is UMES's preferred graduate test, and the TOEFL institution code is 5400. Courses taken to improve English do not count for degree credit, and applicants found deficient in English improve it at their own expense.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UMES programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where University of Maryland Eastern Shore 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 UMES require?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 for graduate applicants.
What TOEFL score does UMES need?+
90 for graduate applicants and iBT 62 for undergraduates.
Does UMES accept Duolingo?+
The graduate page lists Duolingo as alternative proof of English proficiency but gives no minimum score.
How long are test scores valid for UMES?+
24 months from the exam.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Bowie State University IELTS requirement
- Salisbury University IELTS requirement
- UMGC IELTS requirement
- 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.
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