Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Redlands English requirements by level
From Redlands' international application guide, which has separate checklists for first-year, transfer and graduate applicants and a section for the Conservatory of Music. It gives an overall IELTS score only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| First-year and transfer | 6.5 | TOEFL band 4 (or 80 iBT before 21 Jan 2026), Duolingo 105, iTEP 3.9, SAT EBRW 550, ACT 21 |
| Graduate programmes | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 (550 paper) |
| Conservatory of Music, graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80, iTEP 3.9, Duolingo 105 |
Waivers
First-year applicants can meet the requirement by graduating from a secondary school where English was the main language of instruction. Transfer applicants can also use one college-level English composition course from a regionally accredited US institution with a C or better.
For graduate applicants, the page says TOEFL or IELTS may be waived for degrees completed in English and suggests discussing other options with your admissions counsellor. The page also notes that students whose native language is not English cannot apply test optional.
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How to check your score
The page does not mention conditional admission or a pre-sessional English course, so plan on meeting the score before you apply. Graduate applicants should also check their programme page, as the requirements differ between programmes.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Redlands programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Redlands 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 Redlands require?+
IELTS 6.5 for first-year, transfer and graduate applicants.
Does Redlands accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 105 for undergraduates and for Conservatory of Music graduate applicants.
Can I skip IELTS at Redlands if my school taught in English?+
First-year applicants can meet the requirement by graduating from a secondary school where English was the main language of instruction.
Does Redlands accept the new TOEFL scale?+
Yes. Undergraduates need band 4, or 80 iBT on the old scale for tests taken before 21 January 2026.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Cal State San Bernardino IELTS requirement
- UC Riverside IELTS requirement
- Loyola Marymount University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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