IELTS/ TOEFL requirements for study in USA

Home for diverse culture, picturesque geography, top universities, personal security, the USA has all reasons to be designated as one of the best countries in the world. It will be no surprise if you wish to study in USA. However, understanding the English language proficiency requirements for different study programs in America can be a daunting task for any international student. The language assessment tests IELTS and TOEFL are the essential entrance requirements by most USA universities at both UG and PG levels. The score requirements for both the test can vary for different educational institutes in USA. Below is a detailed guide on IELTS/ TOEFL requirements for study in USA.

IELTS/TOEFL Score requirement as per study program in USA

The higher education system for study in USA is of 2 levels: Undergraduate level and Graduate level.

IELTS/ TOEFL requirement for undergraduate level

On completing high school, international students can apply for an associate degree or 4 years Bachelor’s degree programs in a specific field of interest.

IELTS or TOEFL requirement for Associate degree

Associate degrees are 2-year study programs that students can pursue at community colleges in USA. The associate degree is the ideal career path for students who are looking for job options after school. The IELTS/ TOEFL requirement for associate programs is comparatively less than the Bachelor’s degree. International students who wish to pursue an associate degree in USA must earn a minimum of 5.5 IELTS, or 60 iBT TOEFL score. The English language test score requirement can vary for the type of associate programs and community college. The four basic associate programs are:

  • Associate of applied science
  • Associate of science
  • Associate of Applied Arts
  • Associate of Arts

IELTS or TOEFL requirement for Bachelors programs

The bachelor’s degree is of 4 years study program in USA. International students can pursue a Bachelor’s degree of interest either from USA University or College. The IELTS/ TOEFL requirement for prestigious universities can be higher as compare to colleges in USA. Such universities may also require SAT score for successful admission. The English language entrance requirement for the Bachelor’s program can vary depending upon the course and academic institute. The general IELTS/ TOEFL requirement for Bachelors study in USA is IELTS overall 6 with no band less than 5.5 in any of module. Similarly, a student requires a minimum of 70 points in TOEFL test for study undergraduate course in USA. Students can apply for any relevant degree program they have pursued in high school. A few of the Bachelor courses students can apply are:

  • Humanities
  • Business and Management
  • Social Science
  • Medicine and health
  • Education and training
  • Hospitality
  • Journalism and Media
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Computer Science

IELTS requirement for graduate-level program

The Master’s degree and Ph.D. programs in USA are designated as Graduate-level programs. The graduate programs can include MS, MA, M.A.S, MPhil, Ph.D., and more in a different discipline. On completing your 4-year bachelor’s degree Indian students can apply for any relevant course study in USA. However, the IELTS requirement for the graduate level program is higher as compare to undergraduate study programs. To get admission to top prestigious universities in USA the Indian students need to have strong academic background along with a good IELTS / TOEFL score. You might also need to appear for entrance tests like GRE, GMAT, and more. The IELTS or TOEFL requirement for Graduate level courses in USA is often higher compared to undergraduate courses. Competitive courses like MBA or Nursing might need higher IELTS/TOEFL score compare to diploma courses. Yet, in general, the international students might need a 6.5 IELTS score in total and 6.0 per section for Masters in USA. The IELTS requirement for research or Ph.D. is even higher. Similarly, students need a minimum of 80 TOFEL points for post-graduation programs in USA.

Note: The test type and score requirement can vary for the different academic institutes in USA. Students must check with the University for Complete Information. You can also refer to a certified USA visa consultant. West Highlander is one of the leading study in USA consultants with USATC (certificate no. USCG00008).

IELTS / TOEFL Score requirement for study in US universities and colleges

US has more than 4,000 high academic institutes including public and private universities, colleges, technical schools, and more. The IELTS or TOEFL score requirement for individual universities or colleges can be different for international students. Moreover, there are a few universities that might not require English language tests for admission. For most prestigious universities in USA like Harvard or Yale University, students might need 7 or more IELTS or 100 TOEFL scores.

To know more about IELTS and TOEFL study in USA contact West Highlander, the best study visa consultant in Chandigarh. We are 16 years old licensed and regulated study in USA consultant who offers transparent guidance on USA study programs and study visa for Indian students.