Current Policy (Until Autumn 2026)

[Revisions to Policy 3.2 have been approved and will be enacted for Autumn 2026 for admissions decisions for student enrolling Winter 2027 or later. The revised version of this policy can be reviewed at the bottom of this page.]

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. Each prospective graduate student indicates on the graduate application whether or not the student is a native speaker of English.

Students who will receive a Teaching Assistantship will also be required to satisfy additional requirements described in Policy 5.2: Conditions of Appointment for TAs who are not Native Speakers of English.

3.2.1 Demonstration of Proficiency

Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of the following ways. A graduate program may set additional standards or qualifications in any of these categories. Students must confirm specific requirements with the admitting program.

A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution located in the United States and where English is the medium of instruction.
A bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from an institution in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom and where English is the medium of instruction. While enrolled at the degree-granting school, the student must be in residence on campus.
Official documentation from the applicant’s undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree-granting institution (if the institution is in a country other than those listed in #2 above) verifying that all instruction is in English. A minimum of three years of enrollment at the institution is required. Documentation must be presented to the Graduate School; credential service reports are not acceptable. Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- Official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office.
- Official transcripts, attested mark sheets or degree statements, are also accepted if English is stated as the medium of instruction.
Official English Language Test Score (sent electronically to the University of Washington via testing center). Note: Graduate programs may require a higher minimum scores for admission than the scores listed below.

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	TOEFL MyBest	Duolingo	Academic IELTS
Minimum Required Score (ELP Not Satisfied)	4.0 (80 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	4.0 (80 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	110	6.5
Recommended Score (ELP Satisfied)	4.5 (92 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	4.5 (92 for tests taken before Jan 21, 2026)	125 or higher	7.0 or higher
Test Format Allowed	Test Center or Home	Test Center or Home	At Home	Test Center or Home

3.2.2 Submission of Test Scores

The Graduate School also accepts the TOEFL paper-delivered test, which is available only to students in areas without internet testing access. Contact Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) for special instructions if you have taken this test.
Applicants using TOEFL test scores must submit official scores electronically via ETS, using the University of Washington’s institution code 4854. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
Applicants using Academic IELTS test scores must submit official scores electronically via the IELTS system (E-TRF), using the University of Washington’s organization ID 365. An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
Applicants using Duolingo test scores must submit official scores via Duolingo to the University of Washington Graduate Admissions (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma). An offer of admission cannot be extended prior to the receipt of official scores.
An applicant who does not meet the minimum required score will not be considered admissible by the Graduate School. The Graduate School does not offer conditional admissions to students who have not yet met the minimum English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement.

3.2.3 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.
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.
An admitted applicant who is required to take 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.]
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.

Revised Policy – Effective Autumn 2027

[For students enrolling Winter 2027 or later]

[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 Graduate School Minimum and Recommended English Language 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.
- For applicants using an English‑medium‑of‑instruction (MOI) degree to meet the English Language Proficiency requirement, the following residency conditions apply:
  - 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.
  - 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. Remote, distance, online, or primarily offsite enrollment does not satisfy the residency requirement
    - [Note: students that are non-native English speakers will be asked if they meet these residency requirements in the Graduate School application].
  - 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 (at test center or home)

Duolingo*

Academic IELTS (at test center or home)

Minimum Required Score
(ELP Not Satisfied; additional English language requirements as described in 3.2.2)

(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

3. Previous admittance and current enrollment, or previous degree completion 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)

Policy 3.2.3 revised: February 2023, January 2026

Policy 3.2.1 revised March 2024