East Lansing, Michigan, US
Michigan State University: English test requirements
MSU sets 'regular' and lower 'provisional' English scores at both levels. Provisional admission needs an English test on arrival and English classes. Undergraduate scores are on the admissions site; graduate scores are on the Graduate School site, and many programmes ask for more.
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 from 6.0
PG from 6
TOEFL iBT
UG from 3.5 / 60-78
PG from 3.5 / 70
PTE Academic
UG from 46
PG from 48
Duolingo English Test
UG from 95-105
PG from 95 to 105
Undergraduate
Two bands: regular admission and a lower provisional range. Provisional admission requires the MSU English Language Test on arrival. Scores can be self-reported but official scores are needed before enrolment. TOEFL MyBest superscores are not accepted. SAT, ACT and several other tests can also prove proficiency (regular admission only).
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular admissionSource for this group | 6.5 or higher | 4 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 Jan 2026) / 79 (0-120, tests before 21 Jan 2026)new scale: no section score below 4, except 3.5 for speaking; old scale: no subscore below 17 | 53 (undergraduate)minimum subscore 48 | 110 or higher |
| Provisional admissionSource for this group | 6.0 | 3.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 Jan 2026) / 60-78 (0-120, tests before 21 Jan 2026) | average overall score of at least 46 (undergraduate) | 95-105 |
Regular admission, other tests: SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 510 or higher, on an exam with a composite of 1110 or higher; ACT English subscore of 18 or higher, on an exam with a composite of 23 or higher; MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) average of at least 80 with no subscore below 80, or average of at least 85 with no subscore below 78; MSU Certificate of English Language Proficiency (CELP) 65
Provisional admission, other tests: MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) average score of 65-79
“MSU accepts the following tests as proof of English language proficiency.”
International applicants: English language proficiency (undergraduate)
Graduate
Two bands: university minimums for regular admission and a lower provisional range. Many programmes set higher scores and some departments require more than the university standard. Provisional students must take the MSU English Language Test on arrival and fix the shortfall within a calendar year. Bachelor's degrees from the US or other English-speaking countries earn an automatic waiver.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular admissionSource for this group | 6.5no subscore below 6.0 | 4.5 (new scale, tests taken after 21 Jan 2026) / 80 average (tests taken before 21 Jan 2026)new scale: minimum 4 in reading and speaking, 4.5 in listening and writing. Old scale: no subscore below 19 for reading, listening and speaking, and none below 22 for writing | 53no subscore below 51 for reading, listening and speaking; none below 59 for writing | 110 or higher |
| Provisional admissionSource for this group | average of 6 | 3.5 (new scale, tests taken after 21 Jan 2026) / 70 (tests taken before 21 Jan 2026) | average overall score of at least 48 | 95 to 105 |
Regular admission, other tests: MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) average of 80 to 85 with no subscore below 80, or average of 85 with no subscore below 78; MSU Certificate of English Language Proficiency (CELP) 65; MELAB minimum average of 83
Provisional admission, other tests: MSU English Language Test (MSUELT) average score of at least 72; MSU Certificate of English Language Proficiency (CELP) 60; MELAB average score between 72 and 83
“Many programs establish score minimums higher than the MSU standard.”
Graduate School: English language competency
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · International first-year applicants
Optional
Applicants choose on the application whether their ACT or SAT scores are considered. The page says the fall 2027 first-year application is open. Without an SAT or ACT score, an international applicant must show another English proficiency score.
“MSU is test optional, which means that prospective international students have the opportunity to apply for admission without submitting an ACT or SAT score.”
GMAT / GRE · Full-time MBA and STEM MBA (Broad College of Business)
Optional
Taking the GMAT, GRE or Executive Assessment is listed as an optional step, and the page links to waiver information. Dual-degree applicants may use the LSAT or MCAT. At-home GRE scores are not accepted from 1 May 2025; only GRE tests taken at an ETS centre count. Applicants with under two years of work experience are strongly encouraged to submit a score; the page gives an average GMAT of 604 and GRE of 316.
“Optional: Take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE), or Executive Assessment (EA).”
Other tests the university lists
- Michigan State University English Language Test (MSUELT)
- MSU Certificate of English Language Proficiency (CELP)
- Advanced Placement English Language (4 or higher)
- IGCSE, GCSE, O-level and A-level English results
- Singapore O-level and A-level English
- International Baccalaureate English A (5 or higher)
- MELAB (graduate)
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest superscores
“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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