Providence, Rhode Island, US
Brown University: English test requirements
Brown highly recommends an English test for undergraduates and states the scores it expects in most cases, which are high. The Graduate School requires TOEFL or IELTS only and does not accept Duolingo. SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG 8.0
PG 7
TOEFL iBT
UG 105 / 5.5
PG 90 / 4.5
PTE Academic
UG 75
PG Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
UG 130
PG Not accepted
Undergraduate
Brown highly recommends a test for applicants whose first language, home language or secondary language of instruction is not English. The figures are minimums 'expected in most cases', not a published cut-off. Brown does not accept MyBest scores and does not admit students provisionally who are deficient in English.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 8.0recommended | Accepted | |
| TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) | 105 (exam taken before January 2026) / 5.5 (exam taken January 2026 and later)recommended | Accepted | |
| Pearson Test of English | 75recommended | Accepted | |
| Duolingo English Test | 130recommended | Accepted | |
| Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 191recommended | Accepted |
“The following minimum scores are expected in most cases:”
Undergraduate: English proficiency
Graduate
Central Graduate School rule for international applicants whose native language is not English; the page says some programmes have more rigorous standards. The IELTS figure is a recommended minimum. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator are accepted. Exemptions apply to degrees from US universities or from listed English-medium countries.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 7 overallrecommended | Accepted | |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 (exams before 21 January 2026) / 4.5 (exams on or after 21 January 2026) | Accepted | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the list | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not accepted |
“For IELTS, the recommended minimum overall band score is 7.”
Graduate School: language proficiency, TOEFL or IELTS
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year applicants
Required
Brown returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores beginning with the 2024-25 admission cycle. There are no minimum scores. The SAT Essay and ACT Writing sections are optional.
“Brown University has returned to a policy requiring standardized test scores (either SAT or ACT scores) for first-year applicants”
The page says these are not accepted
- MyBest scores (undergraduate)
- Duolingo English Test (Graduate School)
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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