What IELTS score do you need for the University of Michigan?

If English is your second language you must take TOEFL, IELTS, ECPE, Cambridge CAE or CPE, PTE Academic or MET and score in Michigan's acceptable ranges: TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) in the 100 range with Listening and Reading 23+ and Speaking and Writing 21+; the new TOEFL in the 5–6 range with sections of 5+; IELTS or IELTS Indicator in the 7.0 range with sections of 6.5+; PTE Academic 68; CAE or CPE 185; MET 64.

You can be exempted with SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing of 650+ or ACT Reading and English both 27+, if you have also recently completed at least four years of rigorous study in a listed English-speaking country such as Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US. Michigan does not offer intensive English coursework for conditional admission. See Undergraduate Admissions.

Rackham's minimum scores for admission consideration are TOEFL iBT 84 (before 21 January 2026) or 4.5 (from that date), IELTS Academic 6.5 and MET 59; an ECPE Certificate of Proficiency also counts. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS at home are accepted, and IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted. Scores are valid for two years from the test date and must arrive from the testing agency by the program deadline. Duolingo and PTE do not appear on Rackham's list.

You are exempt if you are a native English speaker, an applicant from Puerto Rico, a current U-M student, or completed all of your undergraduate or graduate education and degree at an institution teaching only in English. A one-year graduate degree does not qualify. Some programs require higher scores. See Rackham's tests page.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement the University of Michigan sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture of studying in the US with each test, see IELTS for the USA and PTE for the USA.

Requirements change between admission cycles. Check the Rackham Graduate School page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.