Undergraduate and Postbaccalaureate
All admitted undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students on non-immigrant visas must submit one of the test results below to demonstrate proof of English language proficiency.
Minimum Test Score Requirements
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or SAT with minimum required official score achieved within the last two years. SAT is not required for admission; for use to prove English proficiency only. When ordering test score reports, use Portland State's institutional code: 4610.
| Test | Minimum Score |
|---|
| TOEFL | IBT: minimum overall score of 71; minimum subscore of 15 in reading and writing |
| Academic IELTS | 6.0 overall; minimum 6.0 in reading and writing |
| Academic PTE | 53 overall |
| SAT | 560 or above in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section |
| DET (Duolingo English Test) | 110 or above |
Other Ways to Demonstrate Proficiency
- Transferable associate degree from a U.S. institution with a minimum GPA of 2.50 and 8 credits of college level writing—including the equivalent of WR 121 and an additional higher level college writing course. Both courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better (Successful completion of English, Writing, or Literature classes alone is not sufficient to demonstrate English language proficiency).
- Transcript with the bachelor's degree posted from the institution granting a 4-year bachelor’s degree, master’s or doctoral degree at a college or university in Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe.
- Passport copy demonstrating that you are a citizen of Australia, English-speaking Canada, Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, or Zimbabwe and proof of entire academic history in English from one of those countries.
- International Baccalaureate diploma with final combined score of 30 or more points.
- Certification of Completion for an English language program through PSU's ESL partner: Pacific International Academy at University of Portland.
- Portland Community College ESOL Program Level 8: Completion of PCC ESOL program with grades of B or better in the following Courses: ESOL Level 8 262 Writing, ESOL Level 8 260 Reading, ESOL level 8 263 Communication.
- Students who do not qualify under the university's minimum English language proficiency requirements listed on this page may also submit documentation that they feel demonstrates their mastery of English language proficiency; they may do so in the form of both citizenship documentation or educational documentation that they feel best represents their English language ability. This documentation may be considered in waiving university English language proficiency requirements but requires the applicant to submit a formal written request for an "ESL review" by email (intladm@pdx.edu) to the undergraduate international admissions office.