Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Widener English minimums by level
From Widener's international admissions apply page, which has undergraduate and graduate tabs.
| Level or programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79 (speaking 19, or 26 for nursing; other sections 17), PTE 58, Duolingo 110, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, GTEC CBT 1200, MELAB 77, Oxford ELLT 7 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79, PTE 58, Duolingo 110, TOEFL Essentials 8.5, GTEC CBT 1200, MELAB 77, Oxford ELLT 7 |
Exemptions
Applicants with an advanced-level certificate from an English proficiency programme are exempt, except School of Nursing applicants. Applicants from listed countries, such as Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland and the United Kingdom, are also exempt.
First-year applicants with two or more years of US high school or an English-based curriculum such as IB or A-Levels are exempt, as are transfer applicants with two years of US university-level English coursework.
Free test: are you at Widener University's score yet?
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Graduate nursing
Graduate nursing applicants must send test results from within two years, unless they are from a country exempt from TOEFL. The page does not describe conditional admission for English.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Widener programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Widener University 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 does Widener University need?+
IELTS 6.5 for both undergraduate and graduate applicants.
Does Widener accept Duolingo?+
Yes, with a minimum of 110 at both levels.
What TOEFL does Widener need for nursing?+
TOEFL iBT 79 with a speaking score of 26 for undergraduate nursing, against 19 for other undergraduate programmes.
Does Widener accept PTE?+
Yes, PTE Academic with a minimum of 58.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Saint Joseph's University IELTS requirement
- Drexel University IELTS requirement
- Temple University 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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