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English Language Proficiency

English Language Proficiency

If English is not your native language, regardless of your citizenship, you must provide the university with verification of your proficiency in English.

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

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
  • 55+ 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

1. 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.

Maryland English Institute webpage