Skip to main content
University of Nebraska Omaha logo University of Nebraska Omaha
APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY

APPLY MY UNO DIRECTORY
  • About Backback to Main menu
    • About
    • Leadership
    • Mission and Strategic Plan
    • Accreditation
    • Our City
    • Facts and Figures
    • Campus Safety
    • Buildings and Maps
    • Contact Us
  • Academics Backback to Main menu
    • Academics
    • Majors & Programs
    • Class Search
    • Catalogs
    • Academic Calendar
    • Colleges
    • Academic Affairs
    • Online Learning
    • International
    • Library
  • Admissions Backback to Main menu
    • Admissions
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Graduate Admissions
    • Tuition and Fees
    • Financial Aid
    • Registrar
    • Visit UNO
    • Request Info
    • Apply
  • Student Life Backback to Main menu
    • Student Life
    • Division of Student Life and Wellbeing
    • Academic & Career Development Center
    • Accessibility
    • Housing & Residence Life
    • Inclusion
    • Service
    • Student Conduct & Community Standards
    • Student Involvement
    • Student Safety
    • Wellness
  • Engagement Backback to Main menu
    • Engagement
    • Office of Engagement
    • Campus Resources for Community
    • Service Learning Academy
    • Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center
    • Volunteer and Civic Engagement Programs
    • Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center
    • Faculty Resources
    • Student Resources
    • Voter Engagement
    • Community Engagement Partnership Initiative
  • Research Backback to Main menu
    • Research
    • Research News
    • Centers and Institutes
  • Athletics Backback to Main menu
    • Athletics
    • Baxter Arena
    • Omaha Mavericks Website
  • Alumni Backback to Main menu
    • Alumni
    • Transcripts
    • Thompson Center

English Proficiency for Admission to UNO

  1. UNO
  2. Admissions
  3. Undergraduate
  4. International and ILUNO Students
  5. English Proficiency for Admission to UNO

  • Track Your Application (MavLINK)
  • International Student Advising
  • International Programs
  • International Student Housing
  • Scholarships and Funding
  • International Professional Development (IPD)
  • ILUNO Intensive English

The requirements below are specific to undergraduate programs of study.

English Proficiency Requirements

Strong English language skills are important to academic success at UNO. To support student success, we require all students whose first language is not English to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency regardless of their citizenship. Applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom whose first language is English are exempt from this requirement.

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic or Duolingo results are the preferred indicators of English proficiency. Those students who meet the academic standards of UNO but not the English proficiency requirements can qualify for Conditional Undergraduate Admission

*Please note that UNO does not currently accept the following English proficiency exams: TOEFL MyBest Scores, TOEFL Essentials, or IELTS Indicator.

For applicants seeking direct admissions, the requirements are as follows:

Direct Admission

TOEFL/IBT/PBT

61/500

DUOLINGO ENGLISH EXAM

95

IELTS

6.0

PTE Academic

44

ACT English Sub Score

18

SAT Reading Sub Score

24

*College of Engineering programs require a TOEFL IBT of 80 (writing sub score of 20) and a PBT of 550, IELTS 6.5 (writing sub score of 5.5), ACT English sub score of 22, SAT critical reading sub score of 480, and a DUOLINGO score of 110.

*English majors in the College of Arts and Sciences require a TOEFL IBT of 100 and a PBT of 600, and IELTS 7.0.

Alternative measures of English proficiency:

  • Successful completion of UNO’s Intensive English Language Program (ILUNO) with scores listed above or permission from ILUNO Director.
  • Completion of an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a regionally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution with a 2.5 or higher grade point average.
  • Completion of English Composition I and Public Speaking with a grade of C or better from a regionally accredited U.S. post-secondary institution along with a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

All test scores must be sent to UNO directly from the testing agency to be considered official. Any questions about English proficiency can be emailed to unoadmissions@unomaha.edu.


International and ILUNO Students

  • Track Your Application (MavLINK)
  • International Student Advising
  • International Programs
  • International Student Housing
  • Scholarships and Funding
  • International Professional Development (IPD)
  • ILUNO Intensive English

Graduate Studies Proficiency Standards

Graduate-level English proficiency standards vary by program. For a listing of programs and detailed admissions requirements, check out UNO Graduate Studies.

Additional Resources

  • Conditional Undergraduate Admission
  • Next Steps
  • Visit UNO
  • Request Information
  • Apply for Admission
  • The UNO Advantage
  • Our City (Omaha)
  • Just For You
  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Work at UNO
  • Faculty and Staff
  • A-Z List
  • Popular Services and Resources
  • my.unomaha.edu
  • Academic Calendar
  • Campus Buildings & Maps
  • Library
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Course Catalogs
  • Internships & Career Development
  • Bookstore
  • MavCARD Services
  • Military-Connected Resource Center
  • Speech Center
  • Writing Center
  • Human Resources
  • Center for Faculty Excellence
  • Affiliates
  • University of Nebraska System
  • NU Foundation
  • Buffett Early Childhood Institute
  • Daugherty Water for Food Institute
  • National Strategic Research Institute
  • Peter Kiewit Institute
  • Rural Prosperity Nebraska
  1. University Policies
  2. Privacy Statement
  3. Accessibility
  1. 402.554.2800

University of Nebraska Omaha
University of Nebraska Omaha, 6001 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE, 68182
  • © 2023  
  • Emergency Information Alert
  • Report an Incident or Concern

Omaha Skyline

Our Campus. Otherwise Known as Omaha.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its education programs or activities, including admissions and employment. The University prohibits any form of retaliation taken against anyone for reporting discrimination, harassment, or retaliation for otherwise engaging in protected activity. Read the full statement.

scroll to top of page