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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

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 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

 

The Maryland English Institute offers instruction and support to help our students meet their academic goals at UMD. 

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 without English as a Second Language (ESL),
  • 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, or
  • English is your primary language and you have a completed high school or university degree earned from one of the following countries or territoties1

 

Antigua
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands
Cameroon2
Canada3
Cayman Islands
Dominica
The Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Montserrat
Namibia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
South Africa
St. Lucia
St. Vincent
Swaziland
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands
Uganda
United Kingdom
Zambia
Zimbabwe

 

1. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, but an official English proficiency score is required.
2. English proficiency test is required for the French system only.
3. English speaking provinces only.

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You can only learn so much about a school from a brochure. Even if we tell you how beautiful our campus is, or how fantastic our students and faculty are, you will not know for yourself until you experience it for yourself!

Come try on our campus for size! Stop by one of our top-notch athletic facilities. Have a scoop of homemade ice cream at the Dairy. Rub the nose of one of our beloved Testudo statues for good luck. Get all your questions answered. It won't be hard to picture yourself at home here for the next four years. 


Please visit our updates page for information regarding visit opportunity changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


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Freshman applicants can apply using either the Common App or StandOut Admissions Network platforms. At this time, transfer applicants can only apply using StandOut Admissions Network.

Finance

Consistently ranked as one of the best values in public higher education, you can rest assured that you will receive an affordable world-class education.

College is a major investment for you and your family. The university is here to help. We offer an array of financial aid programs—including scholarships, grants, loans and student employment—as part of our commitment to making an excellent education affordable.


ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE:

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The University of Maryland has launched a new investment in need-based financial aid, the Terrapin Commitment program, which will provide up to $20 million annually for students from the state of Maryland.

The goal of the Terrapin Commitment program is to reduce the gap between a student’s total financial aid package and the cost of an education. The program will begin in January 2023 and ensures that tuition and fees are fully covered for Pell eligible, in-state students, who are enrolled full time and have unmet financial need. More details can be found on the Office of Student Financial Aid's website.

Enroll

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You’ve received your admission letter, checked out your major and started celebrating with family and friends. To make enrollment official, check out information for newly admitted students to get everything you need to start your academic career at UMD. 

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