Seattle, Washington, US
University of Washington: English test requirements
The UW sets one English minimum for first-year applicants, and for graduate applicants a minimum plus a higher recommended score at which the requirement counts as fully met. The Foster full-time MBA publishes its own higher table. SAT and ACT are not required.
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 6.0
PG from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.0 / 76
PG from 4.0 / 80
PTE Academic
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
UG 110
PG from 115
Undergraduate (first-year)
Exams must be taken by 31 December of the application year and scores sent by the testing agency. TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator are accepted for first-year applicants; TOEFL MyBest is not. Applicants educated entirely in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), the UK, Ireland, New Zealand or the US are exempt. An SAT or ACT score plus a B average in English can also be used instead of a test.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (including IELTS Indicator) | 6.0 | Accepted | |
| TOEFL iBT (including Special Home Edition) | 4.0 (effective 21 January 2026) / 76 (before 21 January 2026) | Accepted | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listNot named on the page. | |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 | Accepted |
“The UW does not offer conditional admissions.”
UW Office of Admissions: English proficiency for international first-year applicants
Graduate
The Graduate School publishes a minimum score below which an applicant is not considered, and a higher recommended score at which the English requirement is satisfied without extra conditions. Programmes can require more. Only the listed versions of each test qualify, and the UW does not offer conditional admission.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum required scoreSource for this group | 6.5 | 4.0 (new 0-6 scale) / 80 (tests before 21 January 2026) | Not on the listNot named on the page. | 115The separate Graduate School requirements page lists 110 for Duolingo. |
| Recommended score (requirement satisfied without conditions)Source for this group | 7.0 or higher | 4.5 (new 0-6 scale) / 92 (tests before 21 January 2026) | Not on the listNot named on the page. | 130 or higherThe separate Graduate School requirements page lists 125 or higher for Duolingo. |
| Foster full-time MBAe.g. Full-time MBASource for this group | 7.0 or higher | 5 / 100 iBT (tests taken before 21 January 2026) | Not on the listNot named in the MBA table. | 130 or higher |
“Applicants who do not meet the minimum required score will not be considered for admission.”
UW Graduate School: international applicants (English language proficiency test options)
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year applicants (no cycle dates given)
Optional
The UW permanently removed the SAT and ACT requirement. It calls itself technically test-optional but says reviewers do not see scores, though very high scores may be considered for a handful of applicants. Scores can still be used for the alternative English proficiency route.
“At the UW, you will not be disadvantaged for sending low scores or for not sending scores.”
GMAT / GRE · Foster full-time MBA
Optional
GMAT (both editions) or GRE are accepted, and applicants may apply Test Optional without a score; the school still strongly encourages submitting one.
Other tests the university lists
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 580 or ACT English 22, with a B average in English (undergraduate alternative to a test)
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest (first-year applicants)
“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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