English Proficiency

International students must demonstrate English proficiency to enter a degree-seeking program at Western Michigan University. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements to begin academic coursework may begin in the WMU Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS).

Students may demonstrate English proficiency in any of the following ways: 

  1. Minimum English proficiency test scores (for most programs)*:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 71 iBT undergraduate, 80 iBT graduate (WMU Institutional Code: 1902)
Includes Special Home Edition (SHE) equivalency
TOEFL Essential: 7 Undergraduate; 8 Graduate
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 6.0 undergraduate, 6.5 graduate
Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 48 undergraduate, 54 graduate
Duolingo: 100 undergraduate, 115 graduate

  1. International Baccalaureate, grade of 5 in English at the Higher Level
  2. General Certificate of Education: A grade of A, B, or C in English from one of the five British-based examining boards undergraduate, a grade of A or B in English from one of the five British-based examining boards graduate
  3. Successful completion of ESL level 112 
  4. Successful completion of either four years of upper secondary school or one year of full-time tertiary (university-level) education from select countries meets WMU English language proficiency requirements
  5. Successful completion of a WMU Pathway II or the final level in the WMU Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS)
  6. Completion of a WMU degree 
  7. Cambridge Advanced English Certificate: A grade of A, B, or C undergraduate, a grade of A or B graduate
  8. SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Subscore (EBRW): 500 (for most programs)*
  9. Michigan English Test (MET): 48 undergraduate, 57 graduate (for most programs)*
  10. Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): B2 undergraduate, C1 graduate (for most programs)*

*The Aviation Flight Science program requires a higher English proficiency score: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 91 iBT, TOEFL Essential 9, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: 7.0, Duolingo: 115, Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE): 64, Michigan English Test (MET): 64, Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR): C1, SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Subscore (EBRW): 560

*The following graduate degree programs require higher English proficiency scores: Accountancy (M.S.)Chemistry (M.S.)Music Education (M.M.)Music Therapy  (M.M.)Sociology (M.A.)Sociology (Ph.D.)Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (M.A.).  

*Exceptions exist for certain graduate level foreign language programs reviewed internally by the academic department

 

Select Countries that Meet English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants who have successfully completed either four years of upper secondary school or one year of full-time tertiary (university-level) education from one of the countries listed below do not need to provide proof of English language proficiency. 

  • American/English
    International Schools
  • Australia
  • Barbados
  • Bahamas
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Botswana
  • British Virgin Islands
  • *Cameroon
  • *Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos (Keeling Island)
  • Cook Islands
  • Dominica
  • England
  • Ethiopia
  • Fiji
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guam
  • *Guernsey
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • *Jersey
  • *Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • *Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • *Malawi
  • Man, Isle of
  • Marshall Islands
  • Mauritius
  • Micronesia
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norfolk Island
  • North Marianas
  • Philippines
  • St. Helena
  • St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Scotland
  • *Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • *Singapore
  • *South Africa
  • *Swaziland
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Virgin Islands
  • Wales
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

    * English language proficiency test will only be waived for applicants from English language educational systems.