ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
The ability to communicate effectively in the English language is critically important to students’ academic and personal success.
Who must submit scores
International applicants whose primary language is not English and/or who have completed their secondary or tertiary education primarily outside of the U.S. must submit official scores from the acceptable tests in the table below. English language proficiency requirements may be met by providing qualifying test scores. To be considered official, test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to the university and be less than two years old. The school code for the University of Mississippi is 1840.
Minimum Accepted
Test Scores
| Test | Undergraduate and Graduate Admission | IE 090/091 Pathway | Program (test not required) |
| Duolingo | 110 | 100-109 | 99 and below |
| PTE-A (Pearson Test of English- Academic) | 53 | 47-52 | 46 and below |
| TOEFL iBT | 79 | 69-78 | 68 and below |
| GCSE/IGSCE/O-level | B(6) | C(5) | |
| TOEFL My Best Score | 79 with no My Best Score subscore lower than 19 | ||
| Password Skills Test | 6 | ||
| Cambridge | B2 First (FCE), C1 Adv (CAE), or C2 Prof (PFE) score of 169+; no part below 162 | ||
| IB HL English B | 5+ | ||
| IB SL English B | 6+ | ||
| IB HL English A (Language + Literature) or (Literature) | 5+ | ||
| IB SL English A (Language + Literature) or (Literature) | 5+ | ||
| IELTS Indicator | 6 |
Other information
The following applicants are exempt from submitting one of the above English language proficiency scores:
- International applicants who show evidence of having completed the Advanced Plus Level at the University of Mississippi’s Intensive English Program with a grade of B or higher. See iep.olemiss.edu for further information).
- International applicants who apply for admission as degree-seeking freshmen and who have completed two years minimum of high school education at, and graduated from, an accredited high school in the U.S. Such applicants must, however, comply with the admission standards for domestic (i.e., U.S.) applicants as stated in the undergraduate catalog.
- International applicants who apply for admission as degree-seeking transfer students and who have completed at least 30 credits, including two English Writing/Composition courses, at an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S., and who have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale, and a grade of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale on each of the English writing/composition courses.
- International applicants who have earned a higher education degree (including the equivalent of an associate or bachelor’s degree) from an institution in one of a group of countries listed on the English language proficiency test exemption list while residing in that country.
- Citizens of one of a group of countries listed on the English language proficiency test exemption list.
Applicants with English proficiency scores that are lower than the above minima may be admitted as follows:
Required course enrollment
Applicants with scores of 69-78 TOEFL IBT; 5.50 IELTS; or 47-52 PTE-A may be admitted but are required to enroll in IE 090 English for International Students and IE 091 Academic Writing Lab for International Students during their first term of enrollment at the university and, if necessary, in subsequent terms until they complete the courses successfully. Successful completion of IE 090 and IE 091 means student much receive a C grade or higher on both courses IE 090 and IE 091.
Placement test
Students who lack an acceptable English proficiency score and who wish to be considered for an exemption from the IE 090/IE 091 requirement may choose to take the English Placement Test upon arrival at the university.
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission may be granted to applicants with English proficiency scores below 69 TOEFL IBT; 5:50 IELTS; 47 PTE-A who meet all other requirements for undergraduate admission, provided that they submit a written request to International Student and Scholar Services and ask for “Conditional Admission status.” Students granted conditional admission will be permitted to enroll in undergraduate academic courses only after demonstrating satisfactory English language proficiency as required for unconditional admission.
Please note that admission to the University of Mississippi’s Intensive English Language Program requires a separate application process in addition to the application process for conditional undergraduate admission. See more about IEP below.
The Intensive English Program (IEP) provides English language instruction for international students who wish to study at the University of Mississippi or other institutions in the United States.
Curriculum
The IEP offers classes in speaking and listening, reading, writing, and grammar at four different ability levels as well as content-based courses such as American Culture, Intercultural Communication, and Pronunciation. Full-time students are registered for between 18 and 20 hours of non-degree credit.
Cultural Activities
In addition to its intensive program, the IEP plans and offers cultural activities as well as encourages its students to participate in on- and off-campus events.
Program Timeline
The program follows the university semester schedule and includes one eight-week session in the summer. Special shorter programs are available upon request.
Admissions and Cost
IEP students are considered to be international students and are subject to all regulations and fees pertaining to international students.
Attending the IEP does not guarantee a student's admission into an academic program at the University of Mississippi.
Tuition and fees for the IEP are listed in the Fees and Expenses section here.