ENGLISH PROFICIENCY FOR ADMISSION TO THE UW
All international students are required to submit English proficiency scores that meet the University’s minimum requirement for admission consideration (see table below for minimum score requirements). Applicants must submit scores from one of the following exams: TOEFL, IELTS, or UW Michigan Language Test (MLT). Previous ESL or English composition courses, even when taken in the United States, will not satisfy this requirement. Students currently enrolled in U.S. or Canadian high schools or colleges are still required to submit official exam scores to fulfill the English proficiency requirement.
Exception. Non-U.S. citizens 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 will not be considered for admission.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION
| Test Title | Minimum Score for Admission |
|---|---|
| TOEFL Internet-based | 76 |
| TOEFL computer-based | 207 |
| TOEFL paper-based | 540 |
| UW Administered Michigan Language Test (MLT) | 85* |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 6 |
*The institutional version of the MLT is no longer offered at the UW. Official MLT scores are still valid for two years and can be used for admission consideration.
SAT or ACT Scores. Although the SAT and ACT are not required for international student applicants, the University may 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/Writing 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
- Official scores. All exam scores must be sent directly from the testing agency. UW-administered MLT scores will be reported directly to the Office of Admissions. 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.
- Plan ahead to take the English proficiency exam. Test dates and locations are limited, so be sure to register for a test date early. Spaces fill quickly so do not wait to take an exam. Exams taken or scores received after the published application deadline will not be considered.
- December is the last month for international freshman to take an exam before the January 15 application deadline.
- January is the last month for international transfers and postbaccalaureates to take an exam before the February 15 application deadline.
- Use your legal name. Make sure that you use your legal name as it appears on your passport on your test score report and that it matches exactly the name you give on your admission application form. Report any name variations or differences to the UW.
- English proficiency exam scores are only valid for two years from the exam date. If scores are more than two years old, new exam scores will need to be submitted. Institutional TOEFL exams or other institutional exams administered by other colleges/universities will not be accepted.
- UW’s Institution code for the TOEFL is 4854.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY UPON ENROLLING AT THE UW
All new freshmen and transfer students must satisfy an English language proficiency requirement upon enrolling at the University of Washington Seattle campus. This requirement is separate from the admission requirement for international students. English composition, literature, or ESL courses taken at the secondary or college level will not satisfy the English proficiency requirement for UW enrollment.
Applicants who are offered admission to the UW and have qualifying exam scores or a qualifying Washington community college academic associate degree will have satisfied this requirement. All new students entering the UW without a qualifying test score or qualifying associate degree, will be required to take an English language proficiency screening test, called the DELNA, prior to being eligible to register for classes. The screening test must be taken during the new student’s advising and orientation program.
Students who do not enter the UW with qualifying standardized test scores or program completion as described above, and who do NOT achieve the minimum score on the DELNA will be directed to (a) participate in a mandatory advising program, and/or (b) 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.
Useful Links
English Language Proficiency Requirement for UW StudentsAcademic English Program Course Details