Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UNG English requirements by level
From UNG's international undergraduate admission page and the international graduate application page. Overall scores only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Associate degree pathway | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 3.5 (69 before 2026), PTE 53, Cambridge 169, SAT RW 480 or ACT English/Reading 17 |
| Bachelor's degree | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 4.0 (79 before 2026), PTE 58, Cambridge 177, SAT RW 480 or ACT English/Reading 17 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79 |
Other routes and waivers
Undergraduates can also use EIKEN Pre-1, Accuplacer (Reading 243 and WritePlacer 4), IGCSE or O Level English at D or better, GCSE or A-Level English at C or better, or an approved University System of Georgia ESL programme. A waiver applies if you hold a secondary or college degree taught in English, or passed the equivalent of English 1101 or 1102 with a C or better at an accredited US institution.
Graduate applicants can use a NACES evaluation showing a degree where English was the official language of instruction; if the evaluation does not say so, a letter from the institution confirming it can be sent instead. TOEFL MyBest scores are accepted.
Free test: are you at UNG's score yet?
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Validity and campus notes
Undergraduate test scores are valid for two years from the test date, and graduate TOEFL and IELTS scores for two calendar years. Scores must come directly from the testing agency. Associate pathways are not offered on the Dahlonega campus, and international graduate students cannot start in the summer term.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UNG programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of North Georgia (UNG) 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 North Georgia require?+
IELTS 6.5 for bachelor's degrees and graduate programmes, and 6.0 for the associate pathway.
Does UNG accept PTE?+
Yes for undergraduates: PTE 58 for a bachelor's degree and 53 for the associate pathway.
Does UNG accept IELTS Online?+
The undergraduate page lists IELTS Academic including IELTS Online.
Can an English-medium degree waive IELTS at UNG?+
Yes. A degree where English was the language of instruction can waive the requirement, with proof.
How long is IELTS valid for UNG?+
Two years from the test date.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Georgia State University IELTS requirement
- Kennesaw State University IELTS requirement
- Georgia Southern University 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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