Admissions Criteria

The University at Buffalo wants students who excel academically and who will succeed in our rigorous and demanding academic environment.

You can learn about UB's international admission requirements by following the navigation links to the left, or if you know your English proficiency score, you can start by finding your score under your applicant type (freshman or transfer) below.

On this page:

Freshman applicant

Below are the minimum scores to be eligible for consideration for admission to undergraduate programs at the University at Buffalo.

Find your score and then choose the admission type that is right for you by clicking on the link at the bottom of that column to learn more about the specific English proficiency requirements and other admission criteria.

Are you unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?

If you are not able to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home.

 

Test Type

University Admission

TOEFL (IBT)

(including MyBest scores)

 

TOEFL Home Edition

70
TOEFL (PBT) and TOEFL ITP Plus 523
IELTS and IELTS Indicator 6.0
PTE 50
ACT
(English and Reading)
18
SAT I
ERWS
500
Duolingo English Test (DET)
105
Other recognized tests Learn about other tests for freshman applicants
Don’t see your scores here?

If your English Language Proficiency scores are lower than those listed above, you may still be considered for admission if:

You retake the English Language test and submit a passing score

 

Transfer applicant

Below are the minimum scores to be eligible for consideration for admission to undergraduate programs at the University at Buffalo.

Find your score and then choose the admission type that is right for you by clicking on the link at the bottom of that column to learn more about the specific English proficiency requirements and other admission criteria.

Are you unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?

If you are not able to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home.

Test Type University Admission

TOEFL (IBT)

(Including MyBest scores)

 

TOEFL Home Edition

70
TOEFL (PBT) and TOEFL ITP Plus 523
IELTS and IELTS Indicator 6.0
PTE 50
ACT
(English and Reading)
18
SAT I
ERWS
500
Duolingo English Test (DET)
105
Other recognized tests Learn about other recognized tests for transfer applicants
Don’t see your scores here?

If your English Language Proficiency scores are lower than those listed above, you may still be considered for admission if:

 You retake the English Language test and submit a passing score

 

Graduate applicant

The University at Buffalo wants students who excel academically and who will succeed in our rigorous and demanding academic environment.

UB offers two types of admission based on your English language abilities. Below are the different tests you can take to demonstrate your English proficiency and the minimum scores required to be considered for admission.

Select your test and then follow the link to learn more about the admission type that is right for you based on your score.

Are you unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL?

If you are not able to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are cancelled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home.

Don’t see your scores here?

If your English Language Proficiency scores are lower than those listed in the chart, you will need to improve your English before you can be considered for admission to UB.

> Learn more about UB’s English Language Institute

Graduate applicant