Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UNC English requirements
From the demonstration of English proficiency section of UNC's current undergraduate catalog. Meeting it does not guarantee admission, and some programmes have their own English requirements.
| Test | Overall | Section minimums |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.0 | 5.5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking |
| TOEFL iBT (after 20 Jan 2026) | 4 | Listening, reading and speaking 3.5; writing 4 |
| TOEFL iBT (before 20 Jan 2026) | 72 | Listening 16, reading 16, speaking 18, writing 18 |
| English3 | 60 | 15 in each section |
| Cambridge B2 First | 169 | Use of English 160; other sections 162 |
| Michigan | 55 | Listening 54, reading 56, speaking 54, writing 56 |
Other ways to qualify
UNC also accepts Gateway 425, SAT 520 in both evidence-based reading and writing, ACT English and Reading 20, AP English 4 or higher, IB English A or B grade 5 or higher, and WASSCE English Language B3 or higher taken within two years. Three years of English-medium secondary school with a 2.5 GPA (completed within three years), an associate degree or higher with a 2.5 GPA from the US or a qualifying country (within five years), or 45 semester hours with a 2.75 GPA including an English course also count.
The catalog table does not list Duolingo or PTE.
Free test: are you at UNC's score yet?
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After you enrol
UNC reserves the right to ask any applicant for proof of English, and may recommend or require extra English coursework if you struggle after enrolling.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UNC programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) 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 Northern Colorado require?+
IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking.
Does UNC accept Duolingo or PTE?+
Neither appears in the catalog's list of accepted tests.
Does UNC accept WAEC English?+
Yes. A verified WASSCE score of B3 or higher in English Language, taken within two years of applying.
What TOEFL score does UNC need on the 2026 scale?+
4 overall, with 3.5 in listening, reading and speaking and 4 in writing.
Keep reading
Related
- Colorado State University IELTS requirement
- CU Boulder IELTS requirement
- MSU Denver IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- 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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