General Admission Requirements

Unless exempted or waived from the requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting official test scores from one of the following English language proficiency tests:

*The DET can be taken on demand online and score reports are provided back to applicants within a few days.

Scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Applicants may retake any ELP test to achieve the needed minimum score prior to matriculation into their academic program.

Although departments may require higher scores, the university's official minimum score for the TOEFL is:

• 79 TOEFL IBT (including Home and Paper Editions); or
• 4.0 overall on the New 1-6 scale TOEFL IBT.
• 79 (total) on the "MyBest Score" version of the IBT; or
• 4.0 (total) on the "MyBest Score" version of the New 1-6 scale TOEFL IBT.

TOEFL scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB's Graduate Application System. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Although departments may require higher scores, the university's official minimum score for the IELTS is 6.5 (out of 9.0). IELTS scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB's Graduate Application System. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Although departments may require higher scores, the university's official minimum score for the CPE (C2 Proficiency) is 185 (out of 230). Although departments may require higher scores, the university's official minimum score for the CAE (C1 Advanced) is also 185 (out of 210).

Although departments may require higher scores, the university's official minimum score for the PTE is 55 (out of 90). PTE scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB's Graduate Application System. Scores must be sent directly to UB by the testing agency.

Although departments may require higher scores, the university's official minimum score for the Duolingo (DET) test of English proficiency is 120 (out of 160). DET scores must be dated within two years of the time the application is reviewed by International Admissions in UB's Graduate Application System.

The DET can be taken on demand online, and score reports are provided back to applicants within a few days.

Unless exempted or waived from the English language proficiency requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the approved English language proficiency tests.  The following categories of international applicants are automatically exempt from the English language proficiency requirement. However graduate admission committees are advised to holistically consider all applicants’ English language proficiency and the needs and expectations of the department to ensure that the student will be successful.

1. Students who are citizens of, and who were educated in the English medium from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Dominica, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Grenadines, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Soloman Islands, South Africa, eSwatini (Swaziland), St. Vincent, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), Zambia and Zimbabwe.
2. Non-matriculated (non-degree) students attending UB under reciprocal exchange agreements with international institutions of higher education.
3. Students who were enrolled at UB and are moving from one degree-level to another or one program to another with a break in their studies of no more than three years between the time of graduation and new enrollment.
4. International students transferring from another U.S. college to UB, who (a) completed (or will complete) a degree at that U.S. college or were enrolled for at least two years at the prior institution; and (b) had a minimum 2.0 GPA at the prior institution; and (c) had no more than a three-year break between the time of graduation/attendance at the previous institution and new enrollment at UB.

Unless exempted or waived from the English language proficiency requirement, all international applicants must demonstrate proficiency by submitting official test scores from one of the approved English language proficiency tests. In rare circumstances, UB academic programs (the UB department, not the applicant/student) may petition the Office of International Admissions for an ELP waiver/exception. Through the university’s graduate application system, the academic program will complete an online petition form and submit a written justification for the waiver request along with compelling supporting evidence. Copies of all of the applicant’s transcripts, copies of all standardized tests taken (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GRE, GMAT, DUO, etc.), and an up-to-date CV/resume must be submitted. The petition will be reviewed by International Admissions and a decision communicated to the program.