English Language Proficiency
Source: https://admissions.umd.edu/apply/english-language-proficiency
English Language Proficiency
English Language Proficiency
If you are a Domestic student and English is not your native language or you are an International student, you must provide the university with verification of your proficiency in English. We may consider waiving the English proficiency test requirement if a student has met certain requirements. Please read below to learn more about approved English proficiency exams and potential waivers.
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions employs a holistic review process when considering all applicants and will consider all materials submitted in the application package to determine the level of English language proficiency.
Please have an official report of your scores sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline. Submitted scores must be less than two years old.
For the University of Maryland (UMD) to receive your scores, please use the reporting code 5814.
Accepted English Proficiency Tests:
Duolingo English Test (DET)
UMD accepts official scores from the Duolingo English Test, which can be taken online and on-demand.
UMD passing score: 120
Maryland English Institute score: 115 or lower
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
UMD accepts official IELTS and IELTS Indicator scores.
UMD passing score: 7
Maryland English Institute score: 6.5 or lower
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
UMD accepts official TOEFL and TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) scores. At this time, we are not accepting TOEFL superscores known as MyBest Scores.
UMD passing score: 95
Maryland English Institute score: 94 or lower
*For Fall 2026 and Spring 2027, we will assess students using the 0-120 scale for TOEFL scores. We are currently assessing what the minimum score will be on the new scale for future terms.
Potential Waivers for English Proficiency Requirement
While a passing English proficiency test score is the only absolute way a student can meet the English language proficiency requirement, we may consider waiving the English proficiency test requirement if a student has completed one of the following:
- Four years at a U.S. high school or U.S. accredited high school without English as a Second Language (ESL, ESOL, ELL)
- Associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree earned from a regionally accredited U.S. institution
- Completed 55+ semester credits from a regionally accredited U.S. institution with coursework equivalent to English Compositions 1 and 2
- English is your first language, you hold a citizenship and/or you have a completed high school or university degree earned from one of the following countries or territories:
| English-speaking countries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Antigua Australia Bahamas Barbados Belize Bermuda British Virgin Islands Canada1 Cayman Islands Dominica The Gambia | Ghana Grenada Guyana Ireland Jamaica Kenya Montserrat Namibia New Zealand Nigeria Singapore | South Africa St. Lucia St. Vincent Swaziland Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Uganda United Kingdom Zambia Zimbabwe |
- English proficiency test is required for the French system only.\
Resources
Maryland English Institute
The Maryland English Institute (MEI) provides English language instruction and assessment at the postsecondary level for speakers of other languages. MEI offers rigorous courses of study while providing a positive and supportive learning community and promoting cross-cultural understanding.
In some cases, UMD applicants must complete coursework through MEI before beginning their degree program. Students are notified within their admission decision letter if this is required of them.