English Language Proficiency for Graduate Admission
International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency to attend Clemson University’s Graduate School. Applicants can demonstrate proficiency through the submission of official test scores or through one of the qualifying categories outlined below.
Official documentation demonstrating English language proficiency must be received by our office before a decision can be made on your application.
Standardized Test Scores
| English Proficiency Tests Accepted | Minimum Score Requirements |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT (MyBest Scores allowed) | 80 |
| TOEFL Essentials | 8.5 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| Duolingo | 115 |
| PTE | 54 |
To send scores to Clemson University Graduate Programs, use institution code 5111.
English Language Proficiency test scores are considered valid for up to two years from the test date.
Please note, the minimum score requirements listed above are the minimum required by the University. Meeting the minimum University requirement does not guarantee admission. Each program sets their own requirements. Contact your program of interest for more information.
How To Send Scores
Official score reports must be sent electronically from the testing agency to Clemson University. Clemson University does not accept unofficial score reports or score reports sent directly to us by the applicant.
If you retake an English Language Proficiency exam and earn a higher score, you may send additional scores to our office directly through the testing agency. All official test scores on file will be viewable by the admission committee during the review process.
Confirming Your Test Score Is Received by Clemson
After submitting your Graduate Application, the English Proficiency requirement will appear as a checklist item on your application status page.
If we have received your official scores or you qualify for an exemption based on your education, a green checkmark will appear next to the “English Language Proficiency” material requirement. You can check your application status by logging into your portal here. If you have issues logging in, please contact Graduate Admissions at grdapp@clemson.edu.
Applying to More Than One Program
You only need to send one score report to Clemson University’s Graduate School even if you apply to more than one graduate program because test scores are matched to applicants. Every application you submit will display your official test scores to each application committee for their review and consideration.
Test Score Submission Timing and Deadlines
Please allow up two weeks for the the scores to be reflected in your application portal. If you have questions about scores reflecting on your application, please contact Graduate Admissions at grdapp@clemson.edu.
All supporting materials, including Official English Language Proficiency scores, must be submitted by the application deadline. Program deadlines can be located by selecting your program of interest on the Clemson University degree search page. It is recommended to confirm any deadlines directly with a program contact.
Earned Degree From U.S. Institution or Qualifying Foreign Institution
An earned degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a foreign institution where English is the sole language of instruction satisfies the English proficiency requirement. During the application process, the English proficiency requirement will be waived as a checklist requirement if your education meets this requirement. To determine if your foreign institution satisfies the requirement, please see “Qualifying Foreign Institutions” below.
For international applicants, credential evaluations and English translations may be required for foreign institution transcripts. Please see our supporting materials page for more information.
In-Progress Degree From U.S. Institutions
An in-progress degree at a regionally accredited U.S. institution qualifies applicants for an in-progress waiver of the English proficiency requirement on their Graduate School application. This waiver postpones the English proficiency requirement during the application process until the beginning of the first term at Clemson University. Upon completion of the approved in-progress degree, official transcripts must be sent to Graduate Admissions to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
If official transcripts from a regionally accredited U.S. institution showing a conferred degree are not supplied, a registration hold will prevent any future enrollment until proper English proficiency documentation is received as defined by Graduate Admission requirements for international applicants.
In-Progress Degree From Qualifying Foreign Institutions
An in-progress degree at a qualifying foreign institution qualifies applicants for an in-progress waiver of the English proficiency requirement on their Graduate School application. This waiver postpones the English proficiency requirement during the application process until the beginning of the first term at Clemson University. Upon completion of the approved in-progress degree, official transcripts must be sent to Graduate Admissions to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
If official transcripts from a qualifying foreign institution showing a conferred degree are not supplied, a registration hold will prevent any future enrollment until proper English proficiency documentation is received as defined by Graduate Admission requirements for international applicants. To determine if your institution is a qualifying foreign institution, please see the information below.
Credential evaluations and English translations may be required for foreign institution transcripts. Please see our supporting materials page for more information.
Qualifying Foreign Institutions
A foreign college or university that provides instruction solely in English and is equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s or graduate degree can satisfy the English proficiency requirement. Clemson University Graduate Admissions uses the IAU WHED World Higher Education Database when determining whether your institution qualifies for satisfaction of the English language proficiency requirement.
You may verify whether your institution meets this requirement by looking up your institution in the IAU WHED World Higher Education Database. If English is not the sole language of instruction listed, if no language is listed at all, or if the institution does not appear on the WHED website, you are required to submit English proficiency exam scores. No other documentation (e.g., letters, language certificates, school websites) may be used.
Credential evaluations and English translations may be required for foreign institution transcripts. Please see our supporting materials page for more information.
Approved ESL Programs for Conditional Language Admission
Some graduate programs offer Conditional Language Admission to international students who have completed an approved ESL program.
Learn more about which programs offer Conditional Language Admission.
The following ESL programs and proficiency levels are approved for Conditional Language Admission to specific programs:
- Agape English Language Institute (AELI) — Greenville or Columbia, South Carolina — Level 6 proficiency
- ELS Language Centers — any location — Level 112 proficiency
Other ESL programs may also meet the requirement if they follow all three of these criteria:
- Accreditation: regional accreditation, ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Teaching) or CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation)
- EnglishUSA membership
- Proficiency level equivalent to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) C1
English Proficiency Requirements for Assistantships
Clemson University seeks to support students in their role as teachers while using English and adapting to academic culture in the U.S. To ensure the success of all new international students seeking student-facing assistantships, higher scores than the University minimum on English proficiency tests or a short screening of English proficiency may be required.
Please review the requirements for new international graduate students who are seeking student-facing assistantships and contact information related to these positions on the English Language Programs website.
