English proficiency requirements
Primary English Proficiency Pathways
Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency for admission to KU Graduate Studies. Explore the three primary pathways below.
Standardized Test Scores
Submit official scores from TOEFL, IELTS-Academic, or PTE. Self-reported scores are not accepted.
TOEFL Institution Code: 6871
Applied English Center Pathway
Complete prerequisite English coursework through KU’s on-campus Applied English Center (AEC) curriculum.
English-Medium University Waiver
Receive a waiver if you graduated from a U.S. university or accredited international institution where English is the medium of instruction.
Proficiency Bands & Requirements
| Documentation Type | Full Proficiency | Admission Proficiency |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL (iBT) Center or Home | Tests after Jan 21, 2026: Total 4.5+ (No part below 4.5) Legacy Scale: Total 80+ (No part below 20) | Tests after Jan 21, 2026: Total 3.5+ (No part below 3.5) Legacy Scale: Total 55+ (No part below 13) |
| IELTS-Academic | Total 6.5 (No part below 6.0) | Total 5.5 (No part below 5.0) |
| PTE Academic | Total 60 (No part below 55) | Total 42 (No part below 35) |
| AEC Coursework | "Proficiency Obtained" Status | Eligibility for Level 3 or higher |
| AEC Testing Required? | No | Yes |
Employment & Assistantships
GTA spoken English competency requirements are separate from general admission. For eligibility policy and procedures, visit the Graduate Studies GTA Policy.
Contact Admissions
Have specific questions about your transcripts or MOI letter? Email graduateadm@ku.edu. Self-reported scores are not accepted.
Applied English Center Testing
The Applied English Center (AEC) maintains a testing process for non-native speakers of English. This process serves to confirm each student's level of English proficiency and determines whether English courses will be included as a requirement of the student’s graduate studies. In order to graduate, students who are required to complete AEC courses must meet KU’s Full Proficiency standard, as demonstrated by their performance in AEC coursework and/or testing.
- Students who are admitted in the Full Proficiency band are not required to complete AEC testing.
- All other non-native speakers of English who gain admission to campus-based programs are required to complete AEC testing prior to enrollment.
Employment
GTA eligibility
English proficiency requirements for GTAs are governed by the Kansas Board of Regents and are separate from the English proficiency requirement for admission to a KU graduate program. Detailed information on English proficiency requirements for GTAs may be found on Graduate Studies’ website.
For additional information about eligibility for employment in Graduate Assistantships, contact your program or see the GRA, GTA, and GA Appointments: General Guidelines and Eligibility policy.
Options for Demonstrating English Proficiency
Non-native and non-native-like English speakers must demonstrate English proficiency to gain admission to a graduate program. They may do so in one of the following ways:
Satisfactory scores on standardized tests like the TOEFL, IELTS-Academic, or PTE may demonstrate varying levels of English proficiency. Depending on your level, Applied English Center (AEC) coursework may be required as part of your admission to KU. Applicants to online degree and certificate programs must achieve Full Proficiency to be eligible for admission. See the following table for further details.
Official scores must be sent to KU Graduate Admissions by the testing agency and must be less than two years old at the time that Graduate Admissions processes the application. Test scores require several days to be processed by the testing organizations, and scores are loaded to application records multiple times a week once received by KU. Applications are automatically updated with official test scores once complete. Please allow several days for official test score orders to be processed by testing organizations and for KU to load those to applications once received by the institution. Self-reported or unofficial English proficiency test scores are not accepted and there is no place in the application for them to be uploaded.
TOEFL scores should be sent by ETS to KU institution code 6871. IELTS should be sent to KU Graduate Admissions via the e-delivery service. PTE score sheets containing the Score Report Code and Registration ID should be emailed to graduateadm@ku.edu for verification.
Students who haven't taken one of the listed tests may complete coursework through the Applied English Center (AEC) to demonstrate English proficiency. See the following table for further details.
You will be considered fully proficient and will not be required to complete AEC testing or coursework if you have earned:
- A baccalaureate degree (or higher) from an accredited US university.
- A baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a foreign university that conducts all instruction in English and maintains substantially equivalent bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree requirements.
Whether an institution’s medium of instruction was in English will be confirmed by your transcripts. A Medium-of-Instruction letter may be required if English instruction cannot be confirmed.
English language programs at institutions other than KU may not be used to verify English proficiency.
If you are employed as an officer in the U.S. military with documentation of selection or promotion to the rank of Major or higher (or the equivalent U.S. Navy or Coast Guard rank), then you will be considered fully proficient and will not be required to complete AEC testing.
In exceptional cases, a department, with written support from the appropriate school or college, may petition the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies to consider alternative documentation of English proficiency. In consultation with the Executive Council of Graduate Faculty and the Director of the AEC, the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies will determine whether the alternative documentation demonstrates English proficiency at the level expected for regular admission to graduate study at KU. See the following table for more details about proficiency levels and their requirements.