What IELTS score do you need for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?

Graduate applicants whose native language is not English need TOEFL 79 internet-based (550 paper, 213 computer), TOEFL Essentials 8.5, IELTS 6.5, PTE Academic 45, Pearson English Express Test 45 or Duolingo 105. Applicants with a Duolingo score of 105 or higher may be asked for a Zoom or Skype interview before a final decision. The institution code is 6570, and scores can take 8–10 weeks to arrive, so test early. See the English proficiency exam page.

Exemptions cover at least 30 credit hours of university coursework in an exempt country, lifetime residents of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, the UK or the US (except Puerto Rico), and completion of the Advanced Level of the Intensive Program at UTRGV's English Language Programs.

UTRGV's requirements by country table lists whether a test is needed and what degree counts as a bachelor's. India: test required; a 4-year bachelor's, or a 3-year bachelor's plus a master's or postgraduate diploma. Pakistan and Nepal: test required; a 4-year bachelor's or a 3-year bachelor's plus a master's. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka: test required; a 4-year bachelor's. Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya: no test required.

Undergraduates need TOEFL iBT 61 (including the Home and Paper editions and MyBest scores), TOEFL Essentials 6.5, Duolingo 95, IELTS 6 or PTE Academic 45. Applicants from listed countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (except Quebec), are exempt, as are those with two semesters of US freshman English composition at C or better, three years of US high school, a US bachelor's degree or 30 recent credit hours from an accredited US or listed-country university. See the UTRGV catalog.

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