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English Proficiency Evaluation

A score report from TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) (TOEIC is only available under prearranged agreements), Cambridge English Scale Score, PTE (Pearson Test of English) all versions, Duolingo English Test, Oxford Test of English (OTE), the Skills for English, or ISE (Integrated Skills in English) is required for students from non-English speaking countries. Students may find more information regarding the TOEFL at www.toefl.org, IELTS at www.ielts.org, TOEIC at www.ets.org/toeic, and Cambridge CAE at www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/advanced/, PTE at https://pearsonpte.com/, Duolingo English Test at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/, Skills for English at https://skillsforenglish.com/,  OTE at https://elt.oup.com/feature/global/oxford_test_of_english/?cc=gb&selLanguage=en, and ISE at http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=3192. Students may also submit official documentation of successful full-program completion from a CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation) accredited English Language School http://cea-accredit.org/students.  

Admission:

An undergraduate student must earn a minimum of the score listed on the chart under “Admission” in order to fulfill the UWA English Language Entrance Requirement without ESL support.

Admission with ESL:

International applicants will fulfill the English Language entrance requirement with scores on the chart under the “Admission with ESL”, but will be required to complete a placement test for ESL support. Admitted international applicants will fulfill the written component of the mandatory Language/Literature/Speech curriculum by enrolling in ESL 102 and ESL 103 sequentially. These students may also be required to enroll in additional English as a Second Language (ESL) courses prior to enrollment in ESL 102.

International applicants may be exempt from the English Proficiency Evaluation requirement if:

  1. if the student has received a secondary (high) school diploma or associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college/university/institution in any of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Caribbean and British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Grenada, Guyana, India, Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya (if school language of instruction was English), Nigeria (if school language of instruction was English), Ghana (if school language of instruction was English), Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, St. Kitts, The Bahamas, the United States, and Wales
  2. if the student enters UWA with official documentation of successful full-program completion from a CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation) accredited English Language School http://cea-accredit.org/students
  3. if the student has received a diploma or certificate of completion from a Council of International Schools listed high school in which it is determined that English was the primary language of instruction; however, we may require that you sit for UWA’s ESL Placement Test or enroll in ESL 101.
  4. the student has completed college-level Written English I and II at a US institution with a grade of “C” or better (Undergraduate only).
  5. if an undergraduate student transfers from a partner university and the results of the UWA ESL placement test show that the student can handle the complexity of junior and senior-level courses in English while taking, simultaneously, ESL courses (Undergraduate only).
  6. students who do not have the above requirements, but score high on the SAT/ACT reading and writing sections, may petition for a language proficiency score waiver (Undergraduate only).

Language Proficiency Evaluation Appeal Process

The following appeal process is set forth to allow departments/units to request admission consideration for undergraduate international students who have met all admission requirements except the English Language Proficiency. Through the appeal process, an international student admit may be elevated to full admission with ESL 101 required. There is no appeal process to achieve full admission without the ESL course.

  1. A department or unit may request a formal review of an English Language admission status for undergraduate student scores listed under the “Appeal” column of the chart by submitting a written request to the Office of International Programs.
  2. The department/unit requesting the appeal must submit a formal letter of appeal to the International Programs Director [ip@uwa.edu] clearly defining the reason(s) for requesting the appeal and a plan of academic support demonstrating the commitment of the department to the academic success of the student. Supporting documentation of English Proficiency must also be submitted with the appeals letter. Without this appeals letter, plan, and supporting documentation, an appeal will not be considered.
  3. The complete appeal (letter, plan, and supporting documentation) must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the first day of the first term of planned enrollment.
  4. The UWA English Language Proficiency Review Committee will review the appeal. If the committee rejects the appeal, the department/unit will be notified and the admission process will effectively end for the student. If the appeal is pre-approved, the review committee will require the international student to complete the UWA ESL Placement Test in support of the appeal. The student will be contacted and arrangements will be made for the student to take the UWA English Placement test. This test will be administered in compliance with the testing protocol and an average of 75% on each section or higher is required for the committee to grant a successful appeal.
    If the appeal is successful, the admission status of the student will be changed to full admission with the appropriate ESL course required in the first term of enrollment
  5. Students with scores below the appeal range may attend the Los Angeles City College online Language Academy to improve their scores.  Language Academy - English Bridge - Los Angeles City College (lacitycollege.edu)

English Proficiency Exams and Scores for Admission and Appeal

English Proficiency Exam

Admission

Admission with ESL

Appeal

TOEFL Paper-Based Test

580

500-579

490-499

TOEFL Institutional Testing Program*

580

500-579

490-499

TOEFL Internet-Based Test
UWA code 1737

90

61-89

58-60

IELTS
UWA code 001024

6.5
(6.0 min on subscores)

5.0-6.0
(5.0 min on subscores)

5.0
(4.5 min on subscores)

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

61

42-60

36

TOEIC*

770

700-769

690-699

Cambridge English Scale

180

155-179

150-154

Integrated Skills in English (ISE)

ISE II with distinction in all skills

ISE I with distinction in all skills

ISE I with pass in all skills

Duolingo English Test

110

90

85

Skills for English

B2-pass

B1-pass with merit

B1-pass

Oxford Test of English

130 with 120 min on subscores

100-129 with 100 min on subscores

90 with 90 min on subscores

The Master of Science in Experimental Psychology (all options), the Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing and Communication, and the Master of Arts in Teaching Non-Certification require a higher minimum score.  Please check the Graduate Catalogue's entrance requirements for each master's program. 

*Accepted by agreement only.
**Either ISE II with distinction in all skills or ISE III with pass in all skills
If your score is below admission with ESL, but fits the requirements of the appeal, then please click here for the appeals process.

ATTENTION: Students who do not meet the listed requirements above may directly appeal to the English Language Proficiency Committee (mdavis@uwa.edu) for secondary consideration.

    Students with scores below our appeal range may also attend the Los Angeles City College Language Academy for training to improve their scores.

                 Language Academy - English Bridge - Los Angeles City College (lacitycollege.edu)