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 viaETSusing institution code 6681 and leave department code blank
TOEFL iBT Home Edition 80 (no part score under 17)
Send viaETSusing institution code 6681 and leave department code blank
TOEFL Essentials 9
Send viaETSusing institution code 6681 and leave department code blank
IELTS 6.5 (no part score under 6.0)
Send through yourIELTS Testing Center
DuoLingo (DET) 110 or higher
Send viaDuoLingo English Test
ACT English section score of 21
Send viaACTusing institution code is 1356
SAT Reading score of 29 or an EBRW score of 540
Send viaCollege Boardusing institution code is 6681
Advanced Placement Exams: English and Composition Mark of 4 or higher
Send viaCollege Boardusing institution code is 6681
Advanced Placement Exams: Literature and Composition Mark of 4 or higher
Send viaCollege Boardusing institution code is 6681
Cambridge International Exams: English Literature A Level Grade C or higher
Upload a copy of your GCE Exam Certificate in yourAdmissions Profile in MyUIafter you apply
Cambridge International Exams: English Literature AS Level Grade C or higher
Upload a copy of your GCE Exam Certificate in yourAdmissions Profile in MyUIafter 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 yourAdmissions Profile in MyUIafter you apply
International Baccalaureate: HL English A: Literature Mark of 5 or higher
Send an IB Certificate or Diploma viaInternational Baccalaureate
International Baccalaureate: HL English A: Language and Literature Mark of 5 or higher
Send an IB Certificate or Diploma viaInternational Baccalaureate

Other Ways to Show English Proficiency

Citizen of a Country in which English is the Official Languagereflected 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 yourAdmission Profile in MyUIafter you apply.

Successful completion ofIowa Intensive English Programin 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 yourAdmissions Profile in MyUIafter 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 campusEnglish 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-campusEnglish Placement Evaluation (EPE)is an exam taken prior to course enrollment. All students will be held to this EPEunless 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 100
IELTS 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 inMyUIafter you apply