English Language Proficiency Exams

English is the language of instruction at the University. Your success at the University will depend on your ability to express yourself well in your daily classwork, on written papers and in your examinations. Therefore, all University of California campuses have minimum English-language proficiency requirements. Many U.S. consulates also have minimum requirements before they will issue visas for study in the USA.

TOEFL and IELTS

If your native language is not English, you should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination (academic modules) and arrange to have your scores reported to the Undergraduate Admissions Office or Graduate Division at each campus to which you apply. Information is available at most U.S. consulates and overseas U.S. educational advising offices, as well as by mail and online:

TOEFL Services
P. O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA
E-mail: toefl@ets.org
Web: www.toefl.org

IELTS International
E-mail: ielts@ieltsintl.org
Web: www.ielts.org

You should take the test as early as possible; your score may be a factor in whether you will be admitted.

The Internet-based TOEFL is offered at test centers in many countries throughout the world. In areas where the Internet-based test is not yet available, a paper-based TOEFL is available.

Contact TOEFL Services or refer to the TOEFL website for details about test dates and locations.

For IELTS test centers, dates and information, refer to the IELTS website.

Some campuses of the University require that you take another examination in English immediately before the term in which you enter. If your score indicates a weakness in the language, your program for several terms may include special courses in English for international students.

If your score shows that you are seriously deficient in English, you will be required to gain proficiency in English before you are allowed to pursue your studies at the University. You may do this in your home country or in the United States at a school that offers an intensive English language program. These programs are also offered through university extension offices.

All UC campuses except Berkeley and San Francisco offer special English language programs during the summer and, in some cases, during the academic year. For information, write to the English language program at the campus of your choice.