Proficiency in English

Graduate students at the University of Pittsburgh must possess sufficient proficiency in English to understand lectures, participate successfully in class discussion, and study without being hindered by language problems. 

International applicants must submit valid English language proficiency test scores with their application, except for those who have recently received a degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or any other English-speaking country.

Students may submit official results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test.  International applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit scores from whichever English language proficiency exam they take. 

MINIMUM SCORES FOR ADMISSION  

English Proficiency Exam Minimum Total Score for Admission Additional English Language Courses Recommended if Admitted (see Admitted Students section below)
TOEFL - Prior to Jan 21, 2026 81 total score under 100
TOEFL - After Jan 21, 2026 4.5
IELTS 6.5 total score under 7.5
DUOLINGO 120 total score under 140

The minimum score requirements listed above for the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo exams are the minimums for the University of Pittsburgh, your selected department may have higher requirements. Please visit your department's page for more information.

Scores submitted with your application must not be more than two years old from the start date of the admission term. In other words, scores should still be valid (no more than two years old) on the first day of classes of your first term.

Applicants with scores that are missing, expired or below the minimum scores for admission will not be admitted.

SUBMITTING SCORES

Unofficial score reports should be included in the EngineeringCAS application. Official test results must also be sent directly to the Swanson School of Engineering.

An official copy of the test scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the University of Pittsburgh/Swanson School of Engineering:

  • As part of the test registration process, you can select which institution(s) you would like to share your TOEFL results with. You can also contact ETS directly to request that your official test scores are sent to us after you have taken the test. The institutional code for the University of Pittsburgh is 2927 and the department code for the School of Engineering is 69. More information can be found here.
  • The Swanson School of Engineering accepts the TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Scores or TOEFL Essentials.
  • Personal copies of score reports are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies.
  • It is important that you call to our attention any discrepancies that may exist between your name as reported on your application and as recorded on your English Proficiency test score report.
  • Make sure to take the test in time for the official score to be reported to the Swanson School of Engineering by the application deadline.
  • Please refer to the following web site for further information on the TOEFL exam: https://www.ets.org/toefl.

An official copy of the test scores must be sent directly from IELTS to Swanson School of Engineering Graduate Admissions:

  • As part of the test registration process, you can select which institution(s) you would like to share your IELTS results with. Select “University of Pittsburgh-Swanson School of Engineering”. Your results will be sent to us directly. You can also contact IELTS to request that your official test scores are sent to us after you have taken the test. More information can be found here.
  • Swanson School of Engineering will receive your electronic IELTS Online Test Report Form (e-TRF) and use the IELTS Results Verification Service to verify your IELTS scores.
  • Personal copies of score reports are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies.
  • It is important that you call to our attention any discrepancies that may exist between your name as reported on your application and as recorded on your English Proficiency test score report.
  • Make sure to take the test in time for the official score to be reported to the Swanson School of Engineering by the application deadline.
  • For more information on the IELTS test please visit: https://www.ielts.org/. 

An official copy of the test scores must be sent directly from Duolingo to Swanson School of Engineering Graduate Admissions:

  • Once you receive certified test results, you can log into your Duolingo account, click on the “Send Results” button next to your test results, and select “University of Pittsburgh’s Swanson School of Engineering” to receive your results.
  • You can select as many institutions as you like and add more institutions later.
  • Personal copies of score reports are not considered official, nor are "attested" or notarized copies.
  • It is important that you call to our attention any discrepancies that may exist between your name as reported on your application and as recorded on your English Proficiency test score report.
  • Make sure to take the test in time for the official score to be reported to the Swanson School of Engineering by the application deadline.
  • For more information, please visit Duolingo’s website: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/.

ADMITTED STUDENTS

Admitted international engineering graduate students, with test results below prescribed scores, are recommended to enroll in English Language courses. 

University of Pittsburgh English Language Institute's English Language Course Recommendations

Incoming international students are recommended to enroll in ESL courses when their English Proficiency test scores are above the minimum for admission, but below a certain threshold: 

For TOEFL (prior to Jan 21, 2026):

TOEFL Score Recommendation for Graduate Students
TOEFL-Writing 23 or below ENGR 2050
TOEFL-Speaking 24 or below LING 0008
TOEFL-Listening 21 or below LING 0008
TOEFL-Reading 23 or below LING 0010

For IELTS:

IELTS Score Recommendation for Graduate Students
IELTS-Writing 6.5 or below ENGR 2050
IELTS-Speaking 6.5 or below LING 0008
IELTS-Listening 6.5 or below LING 0008
IELTS-Reading 6.5 or below LING 0010

For Duolingo:

Duolingo Score Recommendation for Graduate Students
Duolingo-Writing 120 or below ENGR 2050
Duolingo-Speaking 120 or below LING 0008
Duolingo-Listening 120 or below LING 0008
Duolingo-Reading 115 or below LING 0010

Students who are from an English proficiency exempt country and were not required to submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo test scores may also be exempt from recommended or required ESL courses. 

International students should communicate with their academic advisor to discuss the English proficiency test results and any ESL course recommendation or requirements determined by their academic department or school.

For more information please visit English Language Proficiency Test

 

English Language Comprehensibility Test for International Teaching Assistants/Fellows (ITA/F English Test)

Students who have been appointed as teaching assistants (TAs) or teaching fellows (TFs) and who are not native speakers of English are required to take an English Fluency Test to evaluate their spoken English upon arrival at the University of Pittsburgh. This includes students who have attended universities in the United States, including the University of Pittsburgh, and those who have been TAs/TFs at other U.S. institutions.

Incoming students who are required to take the ITA/F English test will receive notification from their department with instructions when it is time to take the test.

Individuals who do not achieve a passing score on the test may be given non-teaching assignments and are required to take special course work until they obtain a passing score. An unsatisfactory score at the time of TA or TF appointment is sufficient cause under University policy not to renew a teaching assistantship or teaching fellowship. The University offers intensive English courses through our English Language Institute.

For more information about the exam, please visit English Language Comprehensibility Test for International Teaching Assistants/Fellows

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