USA IELTS - Score requirements

With IELTS 6.5 and work experience, you can typically plan a master's in either country. UK master's programmes are usually 1 year, while USA programmes typically run 1 to 3 years, often 2. Compare tuition, deadlines, post-study work options and your career goals before choosing.

Most universities offering English-taught master's programs in Germany, Ireland, Spain and the USA typically ask for an IELTS score of around 6.0 to 6.5. For September 2027, a good window to take the test is between October 2026 and January 2027.

To meet the University of Washington's English proficiency requirement, you need a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0. If you take other tests instead, the university also accepts a Duolingo English Test score of 110 or a TOEFL-iBT score of 76 under the old scoring format.

To meet English proficiency requirements for BTech in the USA, you typically need an IELTS score between 6.0 and 7.0, or a TOEFL score of roughly 70 to 90. Universities also accept PTE or Duolingo scores, so check which test each of your shortlisted schools prefers before you register.

For Georgia Institute of Technology's MBA program, you need a minimum TOEFL score of 90 or an IELTS score of 7.0 to prove English proficiency. Meeting this minimum alone will not guarantee your admission, so aim to score comfortably above it alongside a strong SOP, transcripts, and recommendation letters.

Rice University requires a minimum IELTS score of 7 or above across all bands for admission to its MBA/PGDM program. If you prefer other tests, the university also accepts TOEFL scores of 90 and above or Duolingo English Test scores of 115 and above.

To be a competitive Yale University MBA applicant, you should aim for at least 100 on the TOEFL, 7 or higher on IELTS, 185 or higher on Cambridge English (C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First), or 120 or higher on the Duolingo English Test, whichever exam you choose.

Most MSW programmes ask for IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 in all five countries. TOEFL typically runs from about 79 to 100 or more, depending on the country. Some New Zealand universities accept PTE 58 to 65, but Otago needs IELTS 7.0. The exact score depends on the university and course.