English Language Requirements for ISEP Programs
There are 5 ways students coming from a country where the primary language is not English can demonstrate proof of English proficiency:
- Eligible and unexpired TOEFL iBT scores (TOEFL iBT Home Edition test also accepted)
- Eligible and unexpired IELTS scores
- Copy of High School diploma from an English-speaking country
- Copy of Undergraduate diploma from an English-speaking country
- If you do not possess any of these 4 documents, you are only eligible to apply for programs that state they accept alternatives such as approved Cambridge English Tests, the Duolingo English Test, and the ISEP English Language Evaluation (LPR) which should be completed by a Professor of English language.
Validity of IELTS/TOEFL scores
Scores must be valid up to the start of the program in order to be eligible. If scores expire prior to the start of the program, students will have to take a language test and provide more recent scores. Official scores must be submitted in your ISEP application by the priority application deadline.
IELTS Academic is the standard IELTS test. IELTS General Training is not accepted for applying to ISEP programs.
TOEFL My Best Scores and the TOEFL iBT Home Edition test are often accepted by host universities as approved language evaluations, as long as the scores are less than two years old. Contact your Student Services Officer if you have any concerns regarding specific programs. A limited number of institutions will accept the TOEFL ITP (Institutional TOEFL) as long as the scores are less than two years old. If a university accepts this test, it will be specified on the ISEP program page.
NOTE: Students applying to programs in Australia who require proof of English proficiency for their visa application and plan to take the IELTS/TOEFL iBT must take the in-person version of the test. The IELTS Online and the TOEFL iBT Home Edition tests cannot be used to fulfill the visa requirement. Please make note of this when booking your testing appointment.
ISEP English Language Evaluation (LPR)
The ISEP English Language Evaluation (also known as a Language Proficiency Report) is used to determine proficiency in English. Speaking, listening, reading and writing skills are evaluated using the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which measures language proficiency from A1 (beginner) to C2 (native speaker).
You can request a Language Evaluation under the “Documents” section of your application. Click “Request a Language Evaluation” and enter the name and email address of a current or recent professor or language instructor. They will get an email inviting them to complete a short online form evaluating your English language skills. You may also be asked to upload an English writing sample.
Most ISEP programs that accept the Language Evaluation will require at least a B2 score, unless the university specifies otherwise. If a university explicitly lists the sub-scores in the Academics section of the program page, then your scores will need to meet each sub-score in order to be eligible for that program.
Cambridge Scores
Cambridge scores must be taken within 5 years of the program start date, unless a host university specifies that it requires a more recent score. Universities will indicate whether or not Cambridge Scores are accepted within the Academics section of each program page. Cambridge scores are most often accepted by universities in the United Kingdom.
- Please check program pages for specifications per host university.
You may be able to use your Cambridge scores to complete the ISEP English Language Evaluation. Please send your valid Cambridge scores to your ISEP Student Services Officer for assistance. Cambridge scores cannot be substituted for IELTS or TOEFL requirements.
Duolingo Scores
Universities will indicate whether or not the Duolingo English Test is accepted in the Other Academic Conditions section of the ISEP program pages. The Duolingo English Test must be taken within the last 2 years. If accepted by the host university, please enter your Duolingo English Test scores in the eligibility section of your application.
Special Cases
As ISEP students, applicants will need to adhere to the requirements and evaluations as outlined on the ISEP program pages. If students have any questions about specific programs, they should contact their Student Services Officer for more information. Students should not contact universities directly regarding admissions questions or information.
Home University Exceptions:
University of Malta
Because the co-official language of Malta is English and English is the language of instruction at the University of Malta, outbound students do not need to submit English language scores.
American University of Sharjah
When applying to the United States, students from the American University of Sharjah may submit expired TOEFL/IELTS scores (from their admission materials for AUS). Students applying to the US can usually supplement these expired scores with a letter from the AUS coordinator, otherwise they will need to submit an LPR or an unexpired TOEFL/IELTS score. Students from AUS will not be able to submit expired TOEFL or IELTS scores when applying to programs outside the United States. Some sites in the United Kingdom might accept expired scores with a letter from the AUS coordinator. Please reach out to your Student Services Officer if you would like to apply to sites outside of the US with expired TOEFL/IELTS scores.
American University of Bulgaria
As the official language of instruction at the American University of Bulgaria (AUBG) is English, students from AUBG are not required to submit English language scores when applying to programs in the United States. Students must attach a letter from the coordinator at AUBG attesting to their English proficiency in the “Additional Documents” section in the Documents tab of their ISEP Application. Once you attach your AUBG letter, please notify your ISEP Student Services Officer so they can assist you with your ISEP application submission. Students from AUBG must follow the standard English Language Requirements for programs taught in English outside of the United States.