English Language Proficiency

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Test Requirements

To study at Miami University, you must be able to understand lectures in English from the first day of classes. Because of this expectation, if your native language is not English, you are required to submit scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo English Test, Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic, or provide alternative evidence of English language proficiency. 

To be considered for direct admission into an undergraduate (bachelor's) degree program at Miami University, international students whose native language is not English should have earned the following minimum scores:

TOEFL

  • Internet-based: 80
  • Paper-based: 550

IELTS (and IELTS Indicator)

  • Overall band: 6.5

Duolingo English Test

  • Overall score: 110

PTE Academic

  • Overall Score: 53

To register for the TOEFL online, visit TOEFL.org. Please note that you must take the international TOEFL. Institutional TOEFL scores are not acceptable. We accept MyBest scores for the TOEFL. This means that the highest scores for each section from different TOEFL exams will determine a combined highest sum score. To register for the IELTS online, visit IELTS.org. To register for the PTE Academic online, visit pearsonpte.com. To register for the Duolingo English Test online, visit englishtest.duolingo.com. 

Students who provide an English proficiency score that is below the requirement (typically, TOEFL 60-79 iBT, IELTS 5.0-6.0, Duolingo 90-109, PTE Academic 44-52, ACT English 18-20, or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500-540) may be considered for conditional admission through Miami University's ACE Program. Students receiving an offer of conditional admission have a strong academic record, with a test score falling below our minimum score requirement. Students receiving an offer of conditional admission will receive an official offer to participate in the ACE Program and a Miami University I-20 visa document.

Students who complete ELS Language Center’s Level 112 are eligible to be considered for direct admission to Miami University. Students who complete ELS Level 109 may be considered for conditional admission to the university and if conditional admission is offered, will receive an offer to participate in Miami University’s ACE Program.

Alternatives to TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE

While a valid TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE score can satisfy Miami University's English language proficiency requirement, this requirement can also be met through the following alternatives:

Your country of origin is also an English-speaking country and English is your native language.

TOEFL scores are not required of applicants from the following 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 & Caico Isle
  • United Kingdom
  • Virgin Islands

You have earned at least one of the following:

  • An associate or bachelor's degree from a U.S. institution of higher education
  • Course equivalency of Miami University's English composition requirement at another U.S. university or community college (not English as a Second Language courses). You must provide an official transcript showing a minimum grade of C or better.
  • Completion of ELS Language Center's Level 112. (Students who complete ELS Level 109 may be considered for conditional admission to the university through the ACE Program.)
  • Enrollment in AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature in a US high school or high school that follows the US curriculum.
  • Enrollment in IB English A at either the Higher or Standard Level as part of a full IB Diploma program.
  • Graduation from a U.S. high school following three years of continuous enrollment will lead to placement in the ACE program unless additional proof of English Proficiency is also submitted. 

You have earned a minimum score from one of the following tests:

Alternative Tests/Programs and Minimum score
Test/Program Minimum score
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
(Send official test scores through CollegeBoard. Miami's SAT code is 1463.) New SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing scores of 500-540 will be considered for ACE Program admission.		 550
ACT English
(Send official test score through ACT. Miami's ACT code is 3294.) ACT English scores of 18-20 will be considered for ACE Program admission.		 21
China GaoKao
(GaoKao English subject scores of 115-124/150 or 95-99/120 will be considered for ACE Program admission)		 125 (out of 150) or 100 (out of 120) in English subject
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) The MELAB, is retired and has been replaced by its successor, the Michigan English Test (MET). 52 on the MET
*General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
—or—
*International General Certificate of Secondary
Education (IGCSE) Examinations		 C in English language (not English as a Second Language)
*Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) B or 4 (8 scale) in English Language
*Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level examinations B in English language
South Korea Suneung
(Suneung English subject scores of 75-79
will be considered for ACE Program admission)
 80 in English subject
*Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, or Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education B or 4 (5 scale) in English language
*West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior School Certificate B or 4 in English language
*Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) B- in English language

*Arrange to send the official examination result directly from the examination council to Miami University in a sealed envelope. Or, the official document may be attested and verified by the high school principal, headmaster, or an administrator at an EducationUSA Center in your country (educationusa.state.gov). Unattested photocopies or documents that have been faxed or scanned are not acceptable.