What IELTS score do you need for the University of Notre Dame?

Graduate applicants whose native language is not English need TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test. The minimums are TOEFL 80 overall with 23 in Speaking on the pre-February 2026 scale, a 4.5 average with no section below 4.0 on the updated scale, IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo 120. Some programs require more. PTE Academic is not among the tests the Graduate School names. See international students.

The test is waived for native English speakers and for applicants who earned a bachelor's or higher degree, or completed at least two years of post-secondary study, at an institution where the medium of instruction is English. If that is not obvious from your transcript, a letter from your registrar confirming English instruction may be needed. Self-reported scores are accepted for review, but an offer depends on official scores; TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo results are valid for two years, and Duolingo must be the 160-point version with subscores. A speaking score below the minimum does not stop your application from being reviewed. See the Graduate School FAQ.

First-year applicants must test if their first language is not English or their secondary education was not mainly in English. Notre Dame accepts TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic and Duolingo, and strongly recommends TOEFL 100 with 25 in Speaking (5.5 average, no section below 5.0, on the updated scale), IELTS 7.5 or Duolingo 125. It does not accept the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. See application information.

The test is waived with 650 or above in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, or 26 or above in ACT English or Reading. Students at a school where English is the only language of instruction can ask admissions@nd.edu about a waiver. The international transfer page adds a recommended PTE Academic score of 70. Notre Dame will require SAT or ACT scores again for applicants enrolling in fall 2028. See the international FAQ and transfer page.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement Notre Dame 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 Notre Dame Graduate School page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.