Chicago, Illinois, US
University of Chicago: English test requirements
For undergraduates, an English test is optional: the College invites scores from any English proficiency exam and sets no minimum, and SAT or ACT is optional under a 'No Harm' policy. The graduate schools and divisions each set their own TOEFL and IELTS minimums, and only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof.
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 Not on the list
PG from 7
TOEFL iBT
UG Not on the list
PG from 90
PTE Academic
UG Not on the list
PG Not accepted
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not accepted
Undergraduate (the College)
The College asks for a superior level of English but names no particular test and prints no minimum score. Applicants may send scores from any English proficiency exam they feel reflects their ability, or none at all if their command of English is clear from the rest of the application. Self-reported scores are allowed; official reports are needed only after admission and enrolment. There is no ESL programme for admitted students.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | – | Not on the listNot named; the page invites scores from any English proficiency exam and gives no minimum. | |
| TOEFL | – | Not on the listNot named; the page invites scores from any English proficiency exam and gives no minimum. | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listNot named; the page invites scores from any English proficiency exam and gives no minimum. | |
| Duolingo English Test | – | Not on the listNot named; the page invites scores from any English proficiency exam and gives no minimum. |
“Students are invited to submit scores from any English proficiency examination they believe represents their English language ability.”
College Admissions: international applicants (proof of English language proficiency)
Graduate
Minimums vary by division or school, and in some cases by programme. Only the TOEFL iBT (including at-home) and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof, with UKVI Academic and One Skill Retake Academic also accepted for IELTS. Scores are valid for two years. A waiver applies to applicants for whom English has been a primary language of communication and schooling since childhood, or who completed at least one full academic year of full-time degree study in the last ten years at an English-medium institution in a listed country or territory. The Booth School and Pritzker School of Medicine rows on the minimums page carry links only, with no scores, so they are not shown here. The Law School row prints no new-scale TOEFL figure.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities DivisionSource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 5.0 on each subsection (on or after 21 January 2026) / no less than 25 on each subsection (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Arts & Humanities: Visual Arts (MFA)e.g. Visual Arts (MFA)Source for this group | 7.0 overall | 4.5 overall (on or after 21 January 2026) / 90 total (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Biological Sciences DivisionSource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 5.0 on Reading and Writing, 5.5 on Listening and 4.5 on Speaking (on or after 21 January 2026) / 100 total, no less than 26 on Reading, Writing and Listening and 22 on Speaking (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and PracticeSource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 5.0 on Reading, Writing and Speaking and 5.5 on Listening (on or after 21 January 2026) / 104 total, no less than 26 on each subsection (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Divinity SchoolSource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 5.0 on Reading, Writing and Speaking and 5.5 on Listening (on or after 21 January 2026) / 104 total, no less than 26 on each subsection (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional StudiesSource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 5.0 on Reading, Writing and Speaking and 5.5 on Listening (on or after 21 January 2026) / 104 total, no less than 26 on each subsection (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Harris School of Public PolicySource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | 5.0 overall (on or after 21 January 2026) / 95 total (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Law SchoolSource for this group | 7.5 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | 104 total (before 21 January 2026); no figure printed for tests on or after 21 January 2026 | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Physical Sciences: Applied Data Science (MS)e.g. Applied Data Science (MS)Source for this group | 7.0 overall | 5.0 overall (on or after 21 January 2026) / 102 total (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Physical Sciences: Computer Science (MS)e.g. Computer Science (MS)Source for this group | 7.0 overall | 5.0 overall (on or after 21 January 2026) / 100 total (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Physical Sciences: all other programmesSource for this group | 7.0 overall | 4.5 overall (on or after 21 January 2026) / 90 total (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Pritzker School of Molecular EngineeringSource for this group | 7.0 overall | 4.5 overall (on or after 21 January 2026) / 90 total (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Social Sciences: Economics (PhD)e.g. Economics (PhD)Source for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 4.5 on each subsection (on or after 21 January 2026) / no less than 22 on Reading, 20 on Listening, 21 on Writing and 23 on Speaking (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Social Sciences: Psychology (PhD)e.g. Psychology (PhD)Source for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | total average 5.0, no less than 4.0 on Reading, Listening and Writing and 3.5 on Speaking (on or after 21 January 2026) / 90 total, no less than 18 on each subsection (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
| Social Sciences: all other programmesSource for this group | 7.0 overallno less than 7.0 on each section | no less than 5.0 on each subsection (on or after 21 January 2026) / no less than 24 on Reading and Writing, 22 on Listening and 25 on Speaking (before 21 January 2026) | Not acceptedThe page says only TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are accepted as proof of proficiency; PTE is not named. | Not accepted |
“Minimum scores for admission to degree programs vary by division, or even department in some cases.”
UChicagoGRAD: required minimum scores by division and school
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year and transfer applicants
Optional
SAT or ACT is optional. Under the 'No Harm' policy a submitted score is used only if it helps the applicant; scores that could count against an applicant are not considered. The policy covers domestic, international and transfer applicants, and self-reported scores are accepted.
“Submitting an SAT or ACT is optional and not required for admission.”
GMAT / GRE · Booth full-time MBA
Required
GMAT or GRE scores must be submitted. There is no minimum score and no superscoring. Applicants may also be asked for an English proficiency test (TOEFL, IELTS or PTE).
“Our MBA requirements do not require a minimum GMAT or GRE score for any applicant to be considered for admission.”
The page says these are not accepted
- Duolingo English Test (graduate)
- IELTS Indicator
- TOEFL ITP Plus
- IELTS General Training (graduate)
- Any proficiency test other than TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic (graduate)
“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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