In order to be admissible, applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by meeting one of the following criteria:

Test Score
TOEFL iBT 80 (no part score under 17)
Send via ETS using institution code 6681 and leave department code blank
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
*accepted through Fall 2024
80 (no part score under 17)
Send via ETS using institution code 6681 and leave department code blank
TOEFL Essentials 9
Send via 
ETS using institution code 6681 and leave department code blank
IELTS 6.5 (no part score under 6.0) 
Send through your IELTS Testing Center
IELTS Indicator
*accepted through Fall 2024
6.5 (no part score under 6.0) 
Send through your IELTS Testing Center
DuoLingo (DET) 110 or higher
Send via DuoLingo English Test
ACT English section score of 21
Send via ACT using institution code is 1356 
SAT Reading score of 29 or an EBRW score of 540
Send via College Board using institution code is 6681 
Advanced Placement Exams: English and Composition Mark of 4 or higher 
Send via College Board using institution code is 6681
Advanced Placement Exams: Literature and Composition Mark of 4 or higher 
Send via College Board using institution code is 6681
Cambridge International Exams: English Literature A Level Grade C or higher
Upload a copy of your GCE Exam Certificate in your Admissions Profile in MyUI after you apply
Cambridge International Exams: English Literature AS Level Grade C or higher
Upload a copy of your GCE Exam Certificate in your Admissions Profile in MyUI after you apply
Cambridge GCSE and IGCSE Exams: English or English First Language Grade C or higher
Upload a copy of your GCSE/IGCSE Exam Certificate in your Admissions Profile in MyUI after you apply
International Baccalaureate: HL English A: Literature  Mark of 5 or higher
Send an IB Certificate or Diploma via International Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate: HL English A: Language and Literature Mark of 5 or higher 
Send an IB Certificate or Diploma via International Baccalaureate

Other Ways to Show English Proficiency

Citizen of a Country in which English is the Official Language reflected on your application.
(Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Cameroon, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, St. Christopher & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe)

Attend a U.S. high school (located within the U.S.) for a minimum of 3 years and will graduate from a U.S. high school.
Upload a copy of your transcript from your U.S. high school in your Admission Profile in MyUI after you apply.

Successful completion of Iowa Intensive English Program in either the high intermediate (Level E2) or advanced (Level P).
The University of Iowa Intensive English Program (IIEP) provides intensive English instruction and a cultural, social, and academic orientation to the United States.

Transfer students who complete 30 s.h. of transferable credit with a minimum 2.50 GPA from a U.S. institution.
Have official transcripts sent from every U.S. college and university you have attended.

American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) transfer students who complete 30 s.h. of transferable credit with a minimum 2.50 GPA.
Upload a copy of your transcript for every college and university you have attended outside of the U.S. in your Admissions Profile in MyUI after you apply.

Transfer students who complete the equivalent of the University of Iowa's Composition I and Composition II at a U.S. institution.
Have official transcripts sent from every U.S. college and university you have attended.

 

Please be advised, an applicant may still be held to the on campus English Placement Exam (EPE) depending on which criteria is used to meet the English Proficiency Requirement. More information regarding criteria to waive the EPE is listed in the following section.

English Placement Evaluation (EPE)

The on-campus English Placement Evaluation (EPE) is an exam taken prior to course enrollment. All students will be held to this EPE unless an applicant meets one of the following criteria: 

  • Citizenship in a Country in which English is the Official Language and your first language is English.
  • Attend a U.S. high school (located within the U.S.) for a minimum of 3 years and will graduate from a U.S. high school.
  • Transfer students who complete 30 s.h. of transferable credit with a minimum 2.50 GPA from a U.S. institution.
  • American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP) transfer students who complete 30 s.h. of transferable credit with a minimum 2.50 GPA.
  • Transfer students who complete the equivalent of the University of Iowa’s Composition I and Composition II at a U.S. institution.
Test Score
TOEFL iBT 100
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
*accepted through Fall 2024
100
IELTS 8.0
IELTS Indicator
*accepted through Fall 2024
8.0
ACT English section score of 24
SAT EBRW score of 600
Cambridge GCSE and IGCSE Exams: English First Language Grade C or higher
Upload a copy of your GCSE/IGCSE Exam Certificate in your Admissions Profile in MyUI after you apply