English Language Proficiency
English Language Proficiency Requirement
All SFSU undergraduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English Language Proficiency before an admissions decision can be made.
Eligible English Proficiency Exams
| Test | Minimum Score | Send your Official Scores |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT Total Score | 61 | ETS TOEFL Test Preparation; Institutional Code: 4684 |
| TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition Total Score | 61 | ETS TOEFL iBT Test |
| IELTS Overall Score | 6.0 | IELTS Website |
| IELTS Indicator Overall Score | 6.0 | IELTS Indicator |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 | Duolingo Test Website |
| PTE Academic Score | 45 | Pearson PTE Website |
| SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing | 550 | Sending SAT Scores; School Code: 3594 |
| ACT English Score | 22 | ACT Test Scores; School Code: 0404 |
| IB English A – Language and Literature HL | 4 | IBO Website |
| AP English Language/Literature and Composition | 3 | Sending AP Scores |
Academic Instruction in English
Demonstrate 3 years of full-time academic study in the following countries where the language of instruction was English:
| Country | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Antigua | Ghana | Northern Marianas | Tanzania |
Australia | Grand Cayman Islands | Palau | Trinidad and Tobago |
Bahamas | Grenada | Papua New Guinea | Uganda |
Barbados | Ireland | Scotland | United States |
Belize | Jamaica | Sierra Leone | Virgin Islands |
Bermuda | Kenya | South Africa | Wales |
Botswana | Lesotho | St. Kitts | Zambia |
Canada | Liberia | St. Lucia | Zimbabwe |
England | Malawi | St. Vincent and Grenadines | |
Gambia | New Zealand | Swaziland | |
English Proficiency by Coursework
Applicants who complete a course which is equivalent to SFSU’s English 114 with a minimum grade of C or better will have met the English Language Proficiency requirement for undergraduate admission purposes.
SFSU's American Language Institute
Applicants who do not have the minimum TOEFL/IELTS score may enroll in SFSU’s intensive English language program, the American Language Institute (ALI). ALI prepares non-native speakers of English for academic study in the University and issues certificates of eligibility for student visas.