English Proficiency

English Proficiency Requirement

All international students must submit English proficiency test scores that meet the University’s minimum requirement for admission. Exams must be taken on or before the application deadline. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores must be sent directly to the UW from the testing agency.

• Previous ESL coursework or English composition courses, even when taken in the United States, will not satisfy the English proficiency admission requirement.
• An associate degree from a community college does not exempt applicants from submitting English proficiency exam scores. All applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores to be eligible for admission consideration.
• Students currently enrolled in US or Canadian schools must also submit official TOEFL or IELTS exam scores.

Exception: International students whose primary and secondary education took place in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or the U.S. are exempt from this requirement. Students who were born in one of these countries but were educated elsewhere, will still be required to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.

Applicants who have not met the minimum English proficiency requirement by the application deadline or have not taken one of the English proficiency exams by the deadline will not be considered for admission. UW Seattle does not offer conditional admission to students who have not yet met the minimum requirement. Exception: Freshman applicants for 2012 may submit scores from any exam taken on or before December 31, 2011.

Minimum Test Score Required Before Admission to UW Seattle

SAT or ACT Scores. Although the SAT and ACT are not required for international student applicants, the University will consider the English proficiency requirement satisfied if you have achieved academic success in English writing or literature courses and have a minimum SAT critical reading score of 550 or an ACT English score of 22. Official SAT or ACT scores must be sent directly from the testing organization. School copies or student copies will not be accepted to satisfy this requirement.

Submitting Test Scores

• December is the last month for international freshmen to take an English proficiency exam. For freshmen applying for autumn or summer quarter 2012, we will allow test scores from any exam taken on or before December 31, 2011. January test scores will not be accepted and will be considered late.
• International transfers and postbaccalaureates must submit exam scores from an exam taken on or before February 15, 2012. Any exams taken after the February 15 deadline will not be considered for admission.
• Plan ahead to take the English proficiency exam. Test dates and locations are limited, so be sure to register early for a test date. Spaces fill quickly, especially during November and December. Do not delay taking the exam.
• Official test scores. All exam scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. Score reports provided to the applicant (i.e. examinees’ copies, student copies, high school copies, etc.) or photocopies of score reports will not be accepted.
• Use your legal name. Make sure to use your legal name as it appears on your passport when you take any exams and use the same name on your UW application. If there are any differences in your name, be sure to list the name discrepancy on your application or notify the Office of Admissions by email or postal mail.
• English proficiency exam scores are only valid for two years from the original exam date. If scores are more than two years old, you will be required to take a new exam. Photocopies of previous exam scores will not be accepted. Institutional exams administered by other colleges/universities will also not be accepted.
• UW’s Institution code for the TOEFL is 4854.

English Language Proficiency After Admission to the UW

All new freshmen and transfer students must satisfy an additional English Language Proficiency Requirement once the offer of admission has been made and the student confirms enrollment with the University. All new students will be required to complete a series of Academic English Program (AEP) courses unless qualifying test scores (see table below) are submitted before UW classes begin. English composition, literature, or ESL courses taken at the secondary or college level will not satisfy this requirement.

The ELPR will be satisfied for students who, at the time of admission, have a qualifying exam score or meet one of the other conditions. New students entering the UW without a qualifying test score will be required to complete courses through the Academic English Program (AEP). At least one AEP course will be required each quarter until all mandatory AEP classes are completed. An extra fee is charged for each AEP course in addition to regular tuition.

Minimum Test Score Required After Admission for Academic English Program Exemption

Useful Links

• English Language Proficiency Requirement for UW Students
• Academic English Program