English Proficiency Requirements for International Students

All international students are required to submit proof of English proficiency to be fully admitted to the University of the Incarnate Word and be eligible to register for courses. Students who do not meet one of the below requirements may apply for Conditional Admission thru the International Admission Office.

Exams:

  • TOEFL iBT - 79 undergraduate; 83 graduate
  • IELTS Academic - 6.5 overall band score
  • TOEIC - 650 undergraduate; 700 graduate
  • CAE (Cambridge Advanced) - C1
  • PTE Academic (Pearson's) - 53 undergraduate; 56 graduate
  • Duolingo English Test - 105 undergraduate; 110 graduate
  • SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing Score of 550 or higher
  • Completion of UNAM - San Antonio's Academic Preparation Course with TOEFL equivalencies on exit exam

International School/Bi-National Curriculum Exemptions:
  • School awards US diploma
  • School holds US regional accreditation
  • IB diploma holders

Third Country Nationals:
  • Any student (regardless of nationality) who completes secondary education or a Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, or the United Kingdom will be exempt from submitting English proficiency scores. Other English speaking countries will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Exemptions for International Students Studying in the United States:
  • First Time in College - students graduating from a US high school
  • Transfer Students
    • Completion of English Composition I & II from a regionally accredited US institution (online courses do NOT count) - OR -
    • A minimum of 24 degree seeking credits that transfer in to UIW with a grade of C or better earned at a regionally accredited US institution (remedial, online and intensive English courses do NOT count)
  • Graduate Students
    • Earned Bachelor's or Master's degree from a regionally accredited US institution.