2023-2024 Academic Catalog

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Proof of English Language Proficiency

Proof of English Language Proficiency

International applicants to CU Anschutz must provide proof of English language proficiency (ELP) in order to be considered for full admission. Some graduate programs will consider international applicants for conditional admission if they apply without adequate proof of ELP. Contact International Admissions if you have questions about ELP or conditional admission.

You may meet the ELP requirement via any of the options listed below.

1. Citizenship Exemption

International applicants holding citizenship from the following countries do not need to prove their English language proficiency for admission to CU Denver. This list is based on the United Kingdom government’s list of countries exempt from proving English ability when applying for a UK student visa.

  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Australia
  • The Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada
  • Dominica
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Malta
  • New Zealand
  • Saint Kitts & Nevis
  • Saint Vincent & the Grenadines
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • United Kingdom

2. ESL Academy

International applicants may meet the English language proficiency requirement for any program of study at CU Anschutz by successfully completing every class in level 5 at CU Denver’s ESL Academy.

3. English Language Proficiency Tests

CU Anschutz accepts the following tests as proof of English language proficiency.

Test TOEFL iBT IELTS Academic PTE Academic Duolingo English Test
Overall Score 79 6.5 58 105
Subscores
- Reading 18 5.5 42 Literacy: 85
- Listening 17 5.5 42 Conversation: 85
- Speaking 20 5.5 42 Comprehension: 85
- Writing 17 5.5 42 Production: 85

Notes:

  • The scores listed above are the university minimum requirements. Some graduate programs require higher scores for admission. Please visit the website for your program of interest for more information.
  • CU Denver's TOEFL code is 4875. For all other tests, please search for or choose "University of Colorado Denver."
  • CU Denver accepts TOEFL MyBest scores and superscored IELTS scores.

4. Coursework Completion

International applicants who have completed the following coursework will be considered to have met the English language proficiency requirement.

  • The applicant has earned a bachelor degree in the United States; or has earned a post-secondary qualification, comparable to a US bachelor degree, in one of the exempt countries listed above; or has earned such a qualification at an institution accredited by an exempt country but located in a non-exempt country, or 
  • The applicant has completed 12 or more semester hours of coursework in a master or doctoral degree program in the United States with an overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 or higher; or has completed a comparable amount of graduate coursework with a comparable GPA in one of the exempt countries listed above; or has completed such coursework at an institution accredited by an exempt country but located in a non-exempt country.