Urbana and Champaign, Illinois, US
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: English test requirements
For first-year undergraduates the university names the accepted tests but publishes no score; scores are published only for transfer applicants. Graduate admission has two published levels, a lower 'limited status' minimum and a higher 'full status' minimum, and individual programmes may 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 7.5
PG from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 5.0 / 100
PG from 4.0 / 79
PTE Academic
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
UG from 130
PG from 115
Undergraduate
First-year applicants who did not complete the most recent years of secondary school in an approved English-speaking country must submit a test (SAT or ACT is also listed as an option on the undergraduate page), but the university publishes no minimum score for them (subscores are considered in review). Transfer applicants have published minimums. Scores must be from within two years of entry.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-year applicantsSource for this group | AcceptedThe policies page names IELTS Academic and IELTS Indicator; the FAQ names IELTS Academic and IELTS Online. No score published for first-year entry. | AcceptedNo score published for first-year entry. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition accepted for fall 2027 only on the undergraduate page (the policies page footnote says spring and fall 2027); MyBest not accepted. | Not on the listNot named on the undergraduate pages. | AcceptedNo score published for first-year entry. |
| Transfer applicantsSource for this group | 7.5no subscore below 6.5 | 5.0 (new 1-6 scale, tests from 21 Jan 2026) / 100 (0-120, tests before 21 Jan 2026)no subscore below 4.5 (new scale) / 20 (old scale) | Not on the list | 130each subscore 125 or above |
“Scores must be from tests taken within two years of your intended entry term.”
Undergraduate international requirements
Graduate
Two published admission levels apply to every applicant: limited status (lower minimum) and full status (higher minimum). Students below the full status minimum take a placement test on arrival and are generally required to take non-credit English courses with a reduced academic load. Individual programmes may require more.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limited statusSource for this group | 6.5no subscore minimums givenIELTS One Skill Retake not accepted. | 4.0 (new 1-6 scale, scores dated after 20 Jan 2026) / 79 (0-120, scores dated before 21 Jan 2026)no subscore minimums givenTOEFL Essentials and TOEFL MyBest not accepted. | Not on the listNot named on the page. | 115no subscore minimums givenCannot be used to meet the separate English requirement for teaching assistants. |
| Full statusSource for this group | 7.5no subscore minimums givenIELTS One Skill Retake not accepted. | 5.0 (new 1-6 scale, scores dated after 20 Jan 2026) / 103 (0-120, scores dated before 21 Jan 2026)no subscore minimums givenTOEFL Essentials and TOEFL MyBest not accepted. | Not on the listNot named on the page. | 135no subscore minimums givenCannot be used to meet the separate English requirement for teaching assistants. |
“Individual academic programs may require a higher score, or additional evidence of spoken English language proficiency”
Graduate College: English proficiency requirements for graduate admission
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year applicants (the page gives no cycle dates, so it is not split by 2026-27 and 2027-28)
Optional
SAT or ACT scores are optional for all first-year applicants, including international students, and for every major. The choice cannot be changed after submitting. Scores that are reported are used for all aspects of review.
“ACT/SAT scores are optional for all first-year applicants”
GMAT / GRE · Online MBA (iMBA). No full-time MBA was found on the Gies site.
Optional
The page says GMAT or GRE is not required for admission.
“GMAT/GRE – not required for admission”
Other tests the university lists
- SAT EBRW or ACT English (transfer applicants, assessed individually)
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest
- IELTS One Skill Retake
- IELTS General Training
- TOEFL Essentials (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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