International Admissions

I3S - English Proficiency Hero -Students having conversation

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).

International Student and Scholar Services
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5246 USA
(269) 387-5865

English Proficiency Requirements

Undergraduate students may demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following approved tests or educational qualifications (see exceptions):

 

Test or MethodMinimum Score/Requirement (Most Programs)Aviation Flight Science Minimum
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)-WMU Institutional Code: 19027191
TOEFL Essentials79
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic6.07.0
Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE)4864
Duolingo100115
Michigan English Test (MET)4864
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)500560
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)B2C1
International Baccalaureate (IB)Grade of 5 in English (Higher Level)Same
General Certificate of Education (GCE)Grade of A, B or C in EnglishSame
Cambridge Advanced English CertificateGrade of A, B or CSame
ELSSuccessful completion of Level 112Same
Secondary or University Education (English-medium)4 years of upper secondary or 1 year tertiarySame
WMU Pathway II or CELCISSuccessful completionSame
WMU DegreeCompleted WMU degreeSame

Graduate students may demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following approved tests or educational qualifications (see exceptions):

Test or MethodMinimum Score/Requirement (Most Programs)*
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)-WMU Institutional Code: 190280
TOEFL Essentials8
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic6.5
Pearson Test of English, Academic Module (PTE)54
Duolingo115
Michigan English Test (MET)57
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)C1
General Certificate of Education (GCE)Grade of A, B or C in English
Cambridge Advanced English CertificateGrade of A or B 
ELSSuccessful completion of Level 112
University Education (English-medium)1 year of full-time, tertiary (university-level)
WMU Pathway II or CELCISSuccessful completion
WMU DegreeCompleted WMU degree

The following graduate degree programs require higher English proficiency scores:

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

 

Exceptions to English Proficiency Requirement

Applicants do not need to submit proof of English language proficiency if they have successfully completed:

  • Four years of upper secondary school, or
  • One year of full-time tertiary (university-level) education in one of the countries below:

For countries marked with an asterisk (*), the waiver applies only if the applicant studied in an English language educational system.

CountryCountryCountry
AustraliaGuamPhilippines
Barbados*GuernseySt. Helena
BahamasGuyanaSt. Kitts and Nevis
BelizeIrelandSt. Lucia
BermudaJamaicaSt. Vincent and the Granadines
Botswana*JerseyScotland
British Virgin Islands*Kenya*Seychelles
*CameroonKiribatiSierra Leone
*Canada*Lesotho*Singapore
Cayman IslandsLiberia*South Africa
Christmas Island*Malawi*Swaziland
Cocos (Keeling Island)Man, Isle ofTrinidad and Tobago
Cook IslandsMarshall IslandsUganda
DominicaMauritiusUnited Kingdom
EnglandMicronesiaUnited States of America
EthiopiaMontserratVirgin Islands
FijiNew ZealandWales
The GambiaNigeriaZambia
GhanaNorfolk IslandZimbabwe
GrenadaNorth Marianas