Proficiency in English

Proficiency in English

International students must demonstrate proficiency in English as one of the conditions for admission. Submission of a minimum score of 550 paper-based, a computer-based score of 213 or an iBT (web-based) score of 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Departments may require higher scores. The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination can be submitted in lieu of the TOEFL. The minimum IELTS score requirement for admission consideration is a score of 7, with a score of no less than 6 on any individual module. In the case of both the TOEFL and the IELTS, test scores must be dated within two years of the date of enrollment. To register for the TOEFL, identify test locations and obtain practice tests, please check http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/ For information on the IELTS, please check the IELTS website at http://www.ielts.org/

Prospective students who lack college-level English proficiency or who would like to increase their English ability, can attend full-time English language training on campus at the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL). Full semester or summer term sessions carry no college credit. Students can meet the Graduate College's English proficiency requirement for admission by completing a full-time day program at CESL and obtaining written verification from the Director of CESL that they have attained satisfactory proficiency in the English language. Further information can be requested from the Center for English as a Second Language, The University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210024, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0024, U.S.A. (cesl@email.arizona.edu, http://www.cesl.arizona.edu).

Exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are applicants who have completed two years of full-time, upper division, academic study in the U.S., or who have received a bachelor's or graduate degree from a university in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, some English-speaking countries in Africa, the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand. However, if the student has been residing outside these countries for two years or more, since completing study or earning a degree, he or she may be required to submit current TOEFL or IELTS scores as part of the graduate admissions process.

In the case of both the TOEFL and the IELTS, a student's official scores will be sent directly to The University of Arizona if you request it on your application form. For TOEFL, you are asked to enter the The University of Arizona institution code which is 4832. The IELTS requires that you include the university's address: Graduate Admissions, Administration Bldg. Room 322, P.O. Box 210066, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA.

Applicants can also request Conditional Admission at the time of application to the Graduate College of The University of Arizona. If the prospective student meets all requirements except for the minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores, the graduate program can ask the Graduate College to admit the student conditionally. Conditional Admission requires that the student apply to and enroll full-time at the UA Center for English as a Second Language (CESL) at their own cost (or their sponsor's) with the expectation of achieving TOEFL-equivalent English proficiency within one year. The initial documents to issue a visa (I-20) will be generated by CESL. Once CESL certifies that the student has achieved the required English proficiency, he or she will be admitted as a Regular standing student (or Provisional if the department wants to impose additional requirements) to pursue graduate studies. At the time the student's admission status changes from Conditional to Regular (or Provisional), a new I-20 will be issued by the Graduate College and the student can commence his/her graduate studies.. If the student does not meet the required English proficiency level within a year, he or she can continue at UA by applying to Undergraduate Admissions (where the TOEFL requirement is lower), or reapplying to the Graduate College after an extended stay at CESL (at an additional cost to themselves or their sponsor). Under current U.S. State Department Homeland Security requirements, international students cannot attend the university in Non-Degree status.

In addition to the required TOEFL or IELTS score, international students seeking Graduate Teaching Assistantships must also obtain an acceptable score on the Test of Spoken English (TSE) or the Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) administered by the University of Arizona. Refer to the Employment in Teaching and Research for further information.

International Students

Proof of Financial Resources