English Proficiency
All applicants are required to provide proof of their current English level in order to be admitted to Seattle Colleges. The requirement applies to all programs, including the Institute of English (SCIE). Students will be placed in Intensive English, College Bridge, or their chosen college-level program based on the minimum scores below.
Students whose scores do not meet at least the minimum required score for Level 1 will not be admitted to Seattle Colleges.
Note: In response to growing demand, we're preparing to add a Pre-Level 1 option to the offerings below, with plans to launch in Fall 2026. Please check this page periodically for updates.
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- TOEFL iBT*: 25, Writing 12 (old format) or 2.0, Writing 2.5 (new format) - IELTS Academic: 4.0, Writing 4.0 - Duolingo (DET): 40, Production 40 |
INTENSIVE ENGLISH LEVEL 1 |
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- TOEFL iBT*: 40, Writing 13 (old format) or 3.0, Writing 3.0 (new format) - IELTS Academic: 4.5, Writing 4.5 - Duolingo (DET): 60, Production 60 |
INTENSIVE ENGLISH LEVEL 2 |
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- TOEFL iBT*: 52, Writing 14 (old format) or 3.5, Writing 3.0 (new format) - IELTS Academic: 5.0, Writing 4.5 - Duolingo (DET): 80, Production 80 - Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 41 - One year at a U.S. high school, or at a high school where English is the medium of instruction, taking no ESL classes** - One year of post-secondary study*** - Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL): 40 - Eiken: 2 - Eltis: 638 - Global Test of English Communication (GTEC): 1040 - International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) Academic Plus: 4.5 - Approved ESL programs |
COLLEGE BRIDGE LEVEL 3 |
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- TOEFL iBT*: 56, Writing 15 (old format) or 3.5, Writing 3.5 (new format) - IELTS Academic: 5.5, Writing 4.5 - Duolingo (DET): 90, Production 90 - Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 43 - Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced: 160-179 - Swedish Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskola): C/15 or higher in English - Eiken: 2A - Eltis: 687 - Global Test of English Communication (GTEC): 1055 - Approved ESL programs |
COLLEGE BRIDGE LEVEL 4 |
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- TOEFL iBT*: 60, Writing 16 (old format) or 4.0, Writing 3.5 (new format) - IELTS Academic: 5.5, Writing 5.0 - Duolingo (DET): 95, Production 95 - Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: 44 - Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced: 180 or higher - Eiken: Pre-1 - Eltis: 730 - Global Test of English Communication (GTEC): 1075 - Approved ESL programs |
COLLEGE BRIDGE LEVEL 5 |
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- TOEFL iBT*: 64, Writing 17 (old format) or 4.0, Writing 4.0 (new format) - IELTS Academic: 6.0, Writing 5.0 - Duolingo (DET): 100, Production 100 - Completion of SCIE's College Bridge Level 5 - SAT: 510 in Reading and Writing - ACT: 19 for both English and Reading - U.S. high school graduation with GPA of at least 2.0 - AP: English Language & Composition with a score of 3 or higher - AP: English Literature & Composition with a score of 3 or higher - IB: English Literature A with a score of 4 or higher (HL) - IB: English A Language & Literature with a score of 4 or higher (HL) - Accuplacer: Reading 86, Sentence Skills 86 - New Generation Accuplacer: Reading 257 - GED: Language Arts 145 or higher - Completion of English Composition at an accredited post-secondary institution in Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Botswana, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, or Zimbabwe - Completion of both primary and secondary education in Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, or Zimbabwe**** |
UNIVERSITY TRANSFER HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION PLUS CAREER TRAINING IP SHORT-TERM CERTIFICATE |
*TOEFL iBT MyBest Scores are accepted.
**Transcripts must show a B or 3.0 GPA, or placement in the top 20% of the class. If study occurred in countries where English is not the official language, proof that English was the medium of instruction may be required.
***Transcripts must show completion of one year of study at an accredited post-secondary institution in Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Botswana, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ghana, Ireland, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, or Zimbabwe. Completion of English Composition is not required.
****Admitted students will be asked to take a Directed Self Placement (DSP) test to confirm placement.