In order to be admissible, applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by meeting one of the following criteria:
| Test | Score for Admission |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (taken before Jan. 2026) | 80 (no subscore under 17) NOTE: Students with a score below 100 must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). A TOEFL iBt score of 100 waives all EPE courses. |
| TOEFL iBT (taken after Jan. 2026) | 4.0 (no subscore of 3.0 or under) Subscores below 5.0 will require enrollment in additional coursework:
NOTE: Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). A TOEFL iBt score of 100 waives all EPE courses. |
| TOEFL iBT Home Edition | 80 (no subscore under 17) NOTE: Students with a score below 100 must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). A TOEFL iBt score of 100 waives all EPE courses. |
| TOEFL Essentials | 9 NOTE: Students who meet the TOEFL Essentials score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| IELTS | 6.5 (no subscore of 5.5 or under) Subscores below 7.5 will require enrollment in additional coursework
NOTE: Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| ACT | English subscore of 21 or greater Students who are admitted holistically below the 21 English subscore requirement will be required to enroll in the following courses:
NOTE: Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| SAT | Reading + Writing score of 540 or greater Students who are admitted holistically below the 540 Reading + Writing section score requirement will be required to enroll in the following courses:
NOTE: Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). An SAT score of 540 EBRW waives all EPE courses. |
| Advanced Placement Exams: English and Composition | Mark of 4 or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| Advanced Placement Exams: Literature and Composition | Mark of 4 or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| Cambridge International Exams: English Literature A Level | Grade C or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| Cambridge International Exams: English Literature AS Level | Grade C or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| Cambridge GCSE and IGCSE Exams: English or English First Language | Grade C or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). A GCSE/IGCSE English First Language Exam Certificate waives all EPE courses. |
| International Baccalaureate: HL English A: Literature | Mark of 5 or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
| International Baccalaureate: HL English A: Language and Literature | Mark of 5 or higher NOTE: Students who meet this score for admissions must enroll in all four ESL courses. Upon arrival on campus, students may test out of these courses by performing well on the English Language Placement Exam (EPE). |
Other Ways to Show English Proficiency
Students who meet the criteria below will fulfill the English proficiency requirement and waive all ESL courses. Students applying based on citizenship in an English-speaking country must list English as their first language.
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.
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 while physically attending a U.S. institution.
Have official transcripts sent from every U.S. college and university you have attended. Online courses are not accepted.
English Language Placement Exam (EPE)
Placement in English Language Coursework is based upon subscores of standardized exams. If a student believes they were incorrectly placed into English language coursework that is not needed to be successful at Iowa, they can elect to take the English Language Placement Exam (EPE) upon arrival to campus, during the first week of classes. If a student demonstrates English proficiency beyond what was provided through standardized examination scores, the required English Language coursework can be waived.
English as a Second Language Courses
Unless noted above, students will need to complete the following ESL courses to meet the English proficiency requirements.
ESL4200: ESL Academic Reading Skills
ESL4130: ESL Academic Listening Skills
ESL4100: ESL Academic Oral Skills
ESL4180: ESL Academic Writing & Grammar UG