English Proficiency
Proof of English proficiency is not required for admission to Seattle Colleges. However, you can submit English proficiency scores in advance to receive direct placement. Otherwise, you will need to take a placement test to determine program and level placement.
University Transfer, High School Completion Plus, and Career Training
If you provide one of the following scores, you will receive a direct placement and be allowed to pre-register.
| TOEFL iBT* 64, Writing 17 |
| IELTS 6.0, Writing 5.0 |
| Duolingo (DET) 95 |
| SAT 510 in Reading and Writing |
| ACT 19 for both English and Reading |
| TOEFL PBT* 507, Writing 4.0 |
| U.S. high school graduation with GPA of at least 2.0 |
| AP: English - Language & Composition with a score of 4 or 5 |
| IB: English A Language & Literature with a score of 4 or higher (HL) |
| Completion of English Composition at an accredited post-secondary institution in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe |
*TOEFL iBT MyBest Scores are accepted.
*The TOEFL PBT is available in areas of the world where the iBT is not offered. Seattle Colleges does not accept Institutional TOEFL scores (ITP) as proof of English proficiency for direct placement.
IP Short-Term Certificate
If you provide one of the following scores, you will receive a direct placement and be allowed to pre-register.
SEATTLE CENTRAL
| TOEFL iBT* 56 |
| IELTS 5.5 |
| Duolingo (DET) 95 |
| SAT 510 in Reading and Writing |
| ACT 19 for both English and Reading |
| Eltis 687 |
| Eiken 2A |
| Cambridge First Certificate (FCE): Grade B or C |
| Global Test of English Communication (GTEC): 1055 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE): 43 |
| ALPS Language School: Level 4 Intensive Reading and Writing |
| TOEFL PBT* 483 |
| U.S. high school graduation with GPA of at least 2.0 |
| AP: English - Language & Composition with a score of 4 or 5 |
| IB: English A Language & Literature with a score of 4 or higher (HL) |
| Swedish Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskola): Grade of 15 or higher in English |
| Completion of English Composition at an accredited post-secondary institution in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe |
NORTH SEATTLE & SOUTH SEATTLE
| TOEFL iBT* 64, Writing 17 |
| IELTS 6.0, Writing 5.0 |
| Duolingo (DET) 95 |
| SAT 510 in Reading and Writing |
| ACT 19 for both English and Reading |
| TOEFL PBT* 507, Writing 4.0 |
| U.S. high school graduation with GPA of at least 2.0 |
| AP: English - Language & Composition with a score of 4 or 5 |
| IB: English A Language & Literature with a score of 4 or higher (HL) |
| Completion of English Composition at an accredited post-secondary institution in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe |
*TOEFL iBT MyBest Scores are accepted.
*The TOEFL PBT is available in areas of the world where the iBT is not offered. Seattle Colleges does not accept Institutional TOEFL scores (ITP) as proof of English proficiency for direct placement.
College Bridge
You will be placed in the appropriate level based on the cutoff scores below:
| College Bridge 3 | College Bridge 4 | College Bridge 5 |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT 52, Writing 14 | TOEFL iBT 56, Writing 15 | TOEFL iBT 60, Writing 16 |
| IELTS 5.0, Writing 4.5 | IELTS 5.5, Writing 4.5 | IELTS 5.5, Writing 5.0 |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) 41 | Pearson Test of English (PTE) 43 | Pearson Test of English (PTE) 44 |
| One year at a U.S. high school* | Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) Grade B or C | Cambridge First Certificate (FCE) Grade A |
| One year of post-secondary study** | Swedish Avgangsetyg 15*** | Cambridge Advanced Certificate (CAE) Grade C or higher (passing) |
| Other | Other | Other |
| Approved ESL programs | Approved ESL programs | Approved ESL programs |
| Duolingo (DET)**** | Duolingo (DET)**** | Duolingo (DET)**** |
*Completion of one year of study at a U.S. high school, or at a high school where English is the medium of instruction, taking no ESL classes. 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.
**Completion of one year of study at an accredited post-secondary institution in Australia, Canada (English-speaking provinces), Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe. Completion of English Composition is not required.
***Swedish Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskola): Grade of 15 or higher in English
****Specific cut scores for Duolingo (DET) are currently being determined. Students with Duolingo test scores of 90 and below will be placed in SCIE levels prior to or during orientation.