We expect international students to know English well enough to:

• comprehend lectures;
• participate in discussions;
• read textbooks;
• write effectively.

To establish your English proficiency, you must do one of the following:

• Earn the required score on the Duolingo English Test (DET), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) exam, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency or Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE), or
• Complete Level 5 of the MU Intensive English Program, or
• Complete the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) English exam with grade of B or higher, or
• Score a 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate (IB) English A: Language & Literature HL exam.

The University of Missouri does not require English proficiency exam scores for applicants educated in the following countries.

Please note Mizzou does not accept the TOEFL Essentials (formerly TOEFL at Home) or the IELTS Online. Mizzou reserves the right to require proof of English language proficiency from any applicant, if deemed necessary by a university official.

Read through minimum score requirements for each of these tests below.

Transfer Credit as proof of English proficiency

As an alternative to demonstrating English proficiency by presenting adequate standardized test scores, an international transfer student can demonstrate English proficiency by submitting evidence of having completed 24 or more transferable credits from an accredited two or four-year post-secondary institution in the U.S. at the time of application. The qualifying credit hours must have been completed within the past two calendar years. The College of Education, School of Journalism, and School of Nursing require submission of an English proficiency exam that is not older than two years.

English Proficiency Test

All students for whom English is not their first language are required to take the English Language Support Program‘s English Language Exam (ELE).

Even if you earn the minimum TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency or PTE scores required for admission, you must take the ELSP exam to re-evaluate your English skills. The ELSP exam is part of the International Student Welcome Week, which takes place one week prior to the start of each term.

Based on your ELSP exam results, you may be required to:

• enroll in ELSP courses
• take a reduced load of academic courses in order to permit room for ELSP courses.

You must pass your ELSP courses within the first two semesters of your enrollment.

Academic Integration @ Mizzou

Academic Integration @ Mizzou (AIM) is a program that accommodates freshman international students that are ready for academic work, but simultaneously need some English language support as they do not meet the minimum Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency and PTE requirements.

The program will combine English Language Support Program (ELSP) course work with academic coursework specifically chosen to put students in positions to succeed.

Learn more about AIM

Intensive English Program (IEP)

The Center for English Language Learning (CELL) offers full-time, English-language training for any international student who cannot meet the minimum English language requirements through the Intensive English Program (IEP).

Visit the CELL website to learn more about the application process.

Conditional Admission to Mizzou

If you meet all of Mizzou’s admission requirements except for the English language requirement, the International Admissions Office will give you:

• a letter of conditional admission to Mizzou and
• automatic admission to the IEP

If you receive conditional admission, you are not required to enroll in the IEP. However, in order to satisfy your English language requirement and be admitted as an undergraduate student at Mizzou, you must obtain:

• the required TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency or PTE score, or
• a verification of English proficiency from the IEP at the University of Missouri

Admission to Mizzou (IEP Students)

Once you have completed the IEP, you will be considered for admission to Mizzou as an undergraduate student. Your IEP academic record and performance will both be factors in determining whether you will be admitted.

To be considered for admission, you must submit an IEP verification that you have the English skills necessary for academic work.