Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UTC English requirements by level
From the International Student and Scholar Services prospective students page, which lists requirements for new and transfer international students at both levels. It gives overall IELTS scores only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (new and transfer) | 5.5 | TOEFL 61, Duolingo 85 |
| Graduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 79, Duolingo 100 |
| MS Computer Science | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 83, Duolingo 107 |
Exemptions
Undergraduates from an approved English-speaking country, or who received a degree from a US institution within the past two years, may request exemption on a waiver form. Graduate applicants can also request exemption if they have worked full time in the US or an approved English-speaking country for at least two of the preceding four years.
The page does not list PTE Academic, and it does not publish the approved country list, so check the waiver form before you skip a test.
Free test: are you at UTC's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Applying and how to check
UTC's institution code for test scores is 1831. International undergraduates are strongly encouraged to submit SAT scores; those who do not may need to take the on-campus ACT Residual exam before or during the first semester. UTC also runs an English Second Language Institute.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UTC programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) 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 UT Chattanooga need?+
IELTS 5.5 for undergraduates and 6.0 for graduate applicants. The MS in Computer Science needs 6.5.
Does UTC accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 85 for undergraduates, 100 for graduate study and 107 for the MS in Computer Science.
Does UTC accept PTE?+
PTE is not listed. UTC names TOEFL, IELTS and the Duolingo English Test.
How old can my IELTS score be for UTC?+
No more than two years old.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 5.5
- University of Tennessee IELTS requirement
- MTSU IELTS requirement
- Tennessee Tech 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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