University of Portland Bulletin 2024-2025

International Students

Admission Requirements

All undergraduate international applicants must meet the regular admissions procedures as set forth by the Office of Admissions.

University of Portland reserves the right to request all transcripts of previously attended institutions, including language training programs, prior to finalizing an applicant's admission decision.

All graduate international applicants must meet the regular admissions procedures as set forth by the Graduate School.

English Language Proficiency: In addition to the regular admission procedures, applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of English language competence through one of the following procedures: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo. A minimum composite score of 71 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on IELTS, or 105 on Duolingo must be attained for acceptance as an undergraduate student. Performance on subsections will also be considered. To be accepted as a graduate student in business or education, a minimum score of 88 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.0 on IELTS, or 110 on Duolingo is required. To be accepted as a graduate student in communication studies or nursing, a minimum score of 100 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.5 on IELTS or 120 on Duolingo is required. To be accepted as a graduate student in engineering, a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.0 on IELTS, or 110 on the Duolingo exam is required.

After the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo requirements are met, it is required that undergraduate students take the English placement examination at the University of Portland before registering for classes. If the score on this test is not satisfactory, the student will be required to take and pass, with at least a grade of C, the English class or classes in line with the deficiency. Until English proficiency is judged satisfactory, the student must take a reduced load in the major area of study. Thus, it may take the student an extra semester or more to obtain an undergraduate degree.

An exception to the above may be made in the following cases:

  • Applicants presenting GCE certificates in English language from the University of London, or GCE certificates from examining bodies recognized as equivalent to the University of London need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test, but they will be required to take the University of Portland English placement examination with the conditions mentioned above.
  • Applicants presenting a score of 550 or above on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT 1), need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
  • Applicants presenting a score of 21 or above on the English section of the American College Test (ACT), need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
  • Applicants presenting a score of 4 or above on the International Baccalaureate (IB) exams English A or English B, need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
  • Applicants presenting one year (two semesters or three quarters) of university-level coursework completed in the United States that includes one semester (or two quarters) of writing and composition with a final grade of 2.0 or better, need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
  • Undergraduate applicants presenting a CEFR (Common European Framework) for languages with a score B1 or above, need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
  • Undergraduate applicants presenting a GTEC (Global Test of English Communication) for university students with a score 1181 or above, need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.
  • Undergraduate applicants presenting a PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic exam with a score 58 or above, need not take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test.

Non-immigrant Documents: In compliance with US immigration regulations, an I-20 or DS-2019 document will not be issued until the student is accepted at the University and has submitted proof of financial support for one academic year of anticipated educational and living expenses.