Undergraduate Admission
Source: https://admission.brown.edu/international/english-proficiency Parent: https://admission.brown.edu/international
Undergraduate Admission
English Proficiency
English language proficiency must be achieved before international students are admitted.
Breadcrumb
English Proficiency
English language proficiency must be achieved before international students are admitted.
Since English is the language of instruction at Brown, you must demonstrate that you:
- Understand English as spoken in the classroom
- Express thoughts quickly and clearly in both spoken and written English
- Read English with ease
English language proficiency must be achieved before you are admitted. Brown does not offer courses in English as a second language for its undergraduates and does not accept on a provisional basis students who are deficient in English.
We highly recommend that international applicants for whom English is not a first language, a primary language spoken at home, or the primary language of instruction for the duration of their secondary school career submit the results of an English proficiency test. At this time, we accept results for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test, the Pearson Test of English, and Cambridge English. We will also accept the TOEFL IBT Home Edition. Please arrange for Brown to receive the official results.
The following minimum scores are expected in most cases:
- TOEFL internet-based exam taken prior to January 2026: minimum score of 105
- TOEFL internet-based exam taken January 2026 and later: minimum score of 5.5
- IELTS: minimum score of 8.0
- Duolingo Test of English: minimum score of 130
- Pearson Test of English: minimum score of 75
- C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency Cambridge English Exams: minimum score of 191
Official score reports will be required for all matriculating students who self-report an English Proficiency Test result as part of their application. For students enrolling in the fall of 2026, those official score reports will be required in May of 2026. If your English Proficiency Test result will expire before May of 2026, you must ask the testing agency to send the official score report to Brown before expiration. Expired score reports will not be accepted and the Office of College Admission will not waive the EPT official score report requirement for students who self-reported a result that has since expired.
Note that in addition, students are expected to complete all other test requirements outlined in the Standardized Test Requirements section of this website.