English Language Requirements
The following additional requirements pertain to all applicants whose native language is not English or who are not citizens of countries where English is the official language.
- To be considered for admission, scores must be submitted from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Exceptions may be made for applicants who hold a degree from a university located in a country in which English is the official language and also the language of instruction at the university. The minimum scores for admission consideration are:
- Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0
-
TOEFL: 550 on paper-based or 80 on Internet-based test.
Higher minimums are required by some schools and programs; check the appropriate school guidelines section for details.
- All applicants for graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) must submit official scores from the TOEFL or academic IELTS. The minimum scores required to be considered for a GTA are:
- Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 7.0 with no individual band score below 6.0.
- TOEFL: 600 on paper-based or 100 on Internet-based.
- Admitted applicants will be required to take the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) placement test at The George Washington University before registering for classes. Those who have a TOEFL score of 600 on the paper-based or 100 on the Internet-based test, or who have an overall band score of 7.0 on the academic IELTS with no individual band score below 6.0, are exempt from taking the placement test. Elliott School applicants must have a TOEFL score of 620 on the paper-based or 105 on the Internet-based test, or have an overall band score of 7.0 on the academic IELTS with no individual band score below 6.5, to be exempted from the placement test. Depending on the test results, you may be restricted in the number of courses that can be taken in addition to EAP courses. Students assigned EAP courses should anticipate additional tuition expenses as well as a possible extended period of time required to complete their degree programs. Currently, GW does not offer a full-time, intensive English language program.
- TOEFL and IELTS scores may not be more than two years old.
Please use institutional code 5246 to ensure TOEFL scores are sent to GW. An institutional code is not required to send academic IELTS scores to GW.
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