Proof of English language proficiency is required if English is not the applicant's native language and/or high school degree was earned outside of the United States. This requirement may be waived if the applicant has proof of completion of a high school degree (for undergraduate admission), or a bachelor’s degree (for graduate admission) at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction.

Students who have completed an ESL program that is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), The Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), or any of the six regional accrediting bodies for higher education institutions in the US within the past three calendar years may also be considered to have met the English proficiency requirements.

Below are the only tests accepted as evidence of English proficiency at NLU along with the minimum scores indicated for each. Only one of the following tests is required to complete your application.

• IELTS; Undergraduate Requirement: 6.0 overall, no sub-score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL iBT; Undergraduate Requirement: 72 total score
• Pearson Test of English; Undergraduate Requirement: 50 overall score
• Duolingo English Test; Undergraduate Requirement: 95 overall score

How to schedule and request your English Proficiency Test Scores:

• TOEFL scores must be reported to NLU directly from ETS.
  • Use our Institutional Code 1551.
  • All programs are able to access the test scores regardless of department code, as long as our institutional code is used.
• PTE Academic scores must be reported to NLU directly from Pearson.
  • SelectNational Louis University from the institution selection menu.
• IELTS Academic results must be delivered to our Electronic Download account by the IELTS test center.
  • Please contact the test center directly where you took the IELTS test and request that your test scores be sent to our E-Download account using the IELTS system with the following information:
    • Institution: National Louis University, Chicago Campus
    • Address: Chicago, IL, United States of America
  • Duolingo English Test scores must be reported directly to NLU from DET
    • DET does not use institution codes and you must send your DET scores through the DET secure portal to NLU.
      • NLU DET School Name: NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY

UVM transcripts are not required for admission to the NLU Dual Degree program. However, they will be required at the end of your UVM coursework. Your home campus coordinator will work with NLU enrollment to collect and submit your final UVM transcripts upon completion of your UVM coursework.