English language proficiency (ELP) is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency.

[Note: Each prospective graduate student indicates on the graduate application whether or not the student is a native speaker of English, defined as: English was first the language the applicant learned at home, and the applicant received most of their schooling before 8th grade in English, and does not need extra support understanding or using academic English].

3.2.1 Demonstration of Proficiency

Proficiency at the level required for admission to the Graduate School by applicants that are not native speakers of English can be demonstrated in one of the following ways.

An earned and bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree (or an internationally recognized academic degree at the same level) from an accredited institution for which English was the medium of instruction.
- Residency: For applicants using an English‑medium‑of‑instruction (MOI) degree to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement, the following residency conditions apply [Note: students that are non-native English speakers will be asked if they meet these residency requirements in the Graduate School application]:
  - For institutions located in an English-speaking country: The student must have been in residence in that country for the full duration of enrollment in the degree program [i.e., the majority of each academic term in which the student earned credits toward the degree].
  - For institutions located in countries where English is not the official or dominant language: The student must have been in residence on, or in close proximity to, the degree granting campus for the full duration of enrollment [i.e., the majority of each academic term in which the student earned credits toward the degree]. Remote, distance, online, or primarily offsite enrollment does not satisfy the residency requirement.
- Documentation: Official documentation from the applicant’s degree-granting institutions verifying that all instruction is in English (as described in the Graduate Admissions page) is required, except for degrees from accredited institutions in the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, the United States, or the Virgin Islands.
Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center). An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores. Test scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date the application is submitted or on the date the program requests a deferral petition

These specific English Language Test scores are the only versions accepted for admission to the Graduate School. Other tests or versions do not qualify.	TOEFL iBT	Duolingo	Academic IELTS
Minimum Required Score (ELP Not Satisfied; additional English language requirements as described in 3.2.2)	4.0 (80 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	115	6.5
Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied without conditions)	4.5 (92 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	130 or higher	7.0 or higher
Test Format Allowed	Test Center or Home	At Home	Test Center or Home

[Note: TOEFL MyBest and IELTS One Skill Retake tests scores are not admissible]

3. Previous UW graduate degree completion or previous admittance and current enrollment in a UW graduate program.

A graduate program may set additional standards or qualifications in either of the above categories. Students must confirm specific requirements with the admitting program.

[Note: As programs determine whether they will accept DET scores for admission, please note that the Duolingo English Test (DET) emphasizes short, real‑time, general‑use tasks, whereas TOEFL and IELTS assess deeper academic literacy in English through extended reading/listening and integrated source‑based writing. Accordingly, students admitted with DET scores may manage everyday classroom communication effectively but could face greater difficulty completing high‑cognitive‑load, technology‑restricted work in English—such as in‑class writing, complex (non-translated) readings, and real‑time discussions—without the assistance of technology.]

3.2.2 Meeting English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements

An applicant who has attained a qualifying degree or a Recommended Score on an official English language test per 3.2.1 has satisfied the Graduate School’s ELP requirement without conditions.

3.2.2.1 Requirements for students not meeting recommended scores.

An admitted applicant who scores below the Recommended level will be required to satisfactorily complete one or two UW Academic English Program (AEP) courses to meet the ELP requirement. Enrollment in any required AEP courses must begin in the student’s first quarter [Note: additional fees apply].
An admitted applicant who is required to take AEP courses ENGL 103 and ENGL 104 may fulfill this requirement during the summer before the start of their graduate program by successfully completing the Graduate School Preparation Program through the International & English Language Programs [Note: additional fees apply].

Policy 3.2 revised: November 2021; March 2022; April 2022; November 2022; December 2022; August 2023 (removal of temporary policy statement), September 2026

Policy 3.2.2 revised: February 2023, January 2026

Policy 3.2.1 revised March 2024