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How to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency (ELP)

All international applicants must show proof of English language proficiency in one of the following ways:

1. Citizenship in one of these approved English-speaking countries: 

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua/Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • British Guyana
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Cayman Islands
  • Dominica
  • Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica/other West Indies
  • Liberia
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
  • St. Helena
  • St. Kitts & Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turks & Caicos Islands
  • United Kingdom
  • Virgin Islands

2. Complete a high school education or degree in an approved country

Submit official transcripts showing courses, graduation, and/or degree earned from:

  • High school/secondary school
    • Graduation and 3 years attendance (includes U.S. Department of Defense school)
  • College/university
    • Completion of associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree
    • Completion of two university-level, academic English courses (excludes English as a Second Language courses) for a total of 6 credit hours with a grade of C or higher in both courses
    • Completion of 30+ hours of university-level, academic coursework with an overall GPA of 2.25 or equivalent. Students must be enrolled at the time of application and must have maintained continuous enrollment prior to their transfer to UNT

3. Submit an English Language/English Proficiency Exam

High school/secondary school exams

EXAM MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED
AP
Advanced Placement		 Score of 5 in English Language & Composition Submit official score report
IB
International Baccalaureate		 Grade 5 on the Higher-Level English A1 subject Submit official score report
Cambridge International Education (CIE) Exams
 
GCE/GCSE/IGCSE
(International) General Certificate of (Secondary) Education
C of higher in English Language or English First Language
 Submit official score report
WAEC/WASSCE
West Africa Examination Council/West African Senior School Certificate Examination
B (2,3) or higher in English Language
 Submit official score report through the WAEC digital platform at WAEC
NECO
National Examinations Council
B (2,3) or higher in English Language
Submit token with official score report
KCSE
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
B (8,9,10) or higher in English Language
Submit official score report
SAT 1
560 or higher on both Critical Reading and Writing
Submit official score report from College Board, reporting code 6481
ACT
21 or higher in English
Submit official score report through ACT, reporting code 4136

English Proficiency Exams

  • Please allow up to 10 business days for your myUNT to-do list to be updated after score submission
  • When submitting scores, please ensure that the name and birthdate on your score report match the information on your application
  • Tests must be taken within two years prior to applying. Test scores expire after 2 years
  • Expired scores are accepted for students who have been continuously enrolled at a college or university in the U.S. since before the scores expired. Students must submit official score reports
EXAM MINIMUM SCORE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION NEEDED
TOEFL iBT
(excludes MyBest score)
 79
Submit scores electronically through ETS; school code 6481
IELTS
(Academic)
6.0 overall band
Submit scores electronically through the testing service
PTE
Pearson Test of English
 53
Submit scores electronically through Pearson
DET
Duolingo English Test
 100
Submit scores electronically through
Duolingo
MET (4-skill exam)
Michigan English Test
Section scores of 54
Submit scores electronically through the testing service
Cambridge
C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency
C1
Submit scores through the Cambridge Assessment Platform

4. Complete Level 6 at UNT’s Intensive English Language Institute (IELI)