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English Language Requirements

Undergraduate Admissions

Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Students who are non-native speakers of English must demonstrate evidence of English language proficiency for admission to the University's degree programs and English Language for University Studies program unless the student has done the following:

  • Two years of study in a U.S.-accredited, International Baccalaureate, or United Kingdom diploma program where English is the only medium of instruction;
  • Two years of study in an English-speaking country listed on the U.K. Ministry of Education website or in the educational systems of these countries (regardless of location) where English is the only medium of instruction.
Standardized test scores, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo, or the Cambridge and Trinity Exams are useful in assessing a student's language capability.

John Cabot University offers an internal English Language Placement Test, which may be taken in place of any of the exams listed below. Please contact [email protected] to register for a test.

English Language Tests Minimum Score for JCU Admission Placement into Enlus II Placement into Enlus I

TOEFL (Computer-based)

223 or higher

160-222

120-159

TOEFL (Internet-based, Home edition)

85 or higher

56-84

40-55

IELTS*

6.5 or higher, equivalent to a C1 CEFR level*

5.5-6.4

4.0-5.4

Cambridge

CAE (180 or higher)

FCE (160-180)

PET (140-160)

Council of Europe

C1

B2

B1

ALTE

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

PEA

Level 4

Level 3

Level 2

Cambridge IGCSE First Language English
(Syllabus 0522)

Grade A or B

Grade C, D, or E

Grade F or G

Cambridge IGCSE First Language English
(Syllabus 0500)

Grade A or B + Grade 1

Grade C, D or E +
Grade 2 or 3

Grade F or G +
Grade 4

Cambridge Linguaskill**

C1 (180 or higher)

B2 (160-179)

B1 (140-159)

PTE Academic

58

52-57

30-41

All Duolingo exam scores will be reviewed by the JCU English Department and Admissions Committee to determine the applicant’s English proficiency level. 

*Candidates submitting IELTS certificate with a score of 6.5 and CEFR level B2 will be required to take our internal English test. 

**Students who take the Cambridge Linguaskill test and are borderline may be required to take an additional test administered by JCU. Additionally, all modules must be completed for assessment.

Approved by the Chair of the Department of English and the Office of the Dean, March 13th, 2025.

If the English proficiency of any applicant is in question, the Admissions Committee will request additional information or documentation. Students who meet the entrance requirements of the University but lack sufficient preparation in written and spoken English may be eligible to enter the University’s ENLUS Program, an intensive English language course that prepares students for study at the university level.

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