English Proficiency Requirement for Graduate Studies at Lehigh

• To be successful in Lehigh’s rigorous graduate and professional degree programs, students must be highly proficient or fluent in English.
• Students in doctoral degrees or research master’s degree programs (MA, MS, MEd) who are appointed as teaching assistants (TAs) may require additional assessment to be certified as proficient in English prior to assuming instructional duties, pursuant to the Pennsylvania Act 76, "English Fluency in Higher Education" (1990). The International Center for Academic & Professional English (ICAPE) is responsible for evaluating and assessing all GTAs at Lehigh University, regardless of national citizens or cultural and linguistic background. Students may be asked to complete an English Language Assessment, through ICAPE. Students who do not pass this assessment may be asked to complete coursework or tutoring to meet the applicable English proficiency standards to be a TA.
• Some programs may require an interview, both to assess academic fit, as well as English language proficiency.
• Program coordinators and faculty are encouraged to assess student progress through graduate programs. If a student’s command of English is identified as a barrier to their continued success at Lehigh, additional coursework or workshops may be required by the program of study.

Lehigh offers multiple paths to demonstrate English language proficiency. These paths are defined below.

English Language Testing

International applicants are required to complete and submit to the University prior to matriculation their official scores from one of the following accepted English language competency exams. Scores are valid for two years from the date taken, with any exceptions noted below.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): Lehigh accepts the following TOEFL tests:
  • TOEFL iBT: We will accept the Paper Edition if less than two years old)
  • TOEFL Essentials: Interview may be required
  • TOEFL MyBestScore: If scores are obtained within 6 months of application
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Duolingo English Test
• PTE Academic: Not accepted for Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter 2026 admission, will be accepted for Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter 2027 forward
• Cambridge English Qualifications
  • B2 First
  • C1 Advanced
  • C2 Proficiency

Additional Information

• For unconditional admission, applicants must:
  • Obtain or exceed ALL minimum section scores
  • Obtain or exceed the COMPOSITE/OVERALL minimum score.
• Minimum Scores are shown by College below.
• Applicants with test scores that do not meet the above minimum requirements may be considered for admission with conditional English enhancement training required.

As part of our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, unofficial test scores (provided via an uploaded digital copy of a score report, appointment number, or TRF number; Lehigh will not consider self-reported scores) are accepted to provide applicants with a preliminary assessment of their English language abilities.

These unofficial scores will be considered during the initial evaluation of an application. However, official test scores must be submitted from the testing agencies directly as soon as an offer of admission is made. Official test scores will be required for matriculation into Lehigh.

• TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge, and PTE (starting for Spring 2027 admissions) test scores are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. Test scores must be valid until an I-20 is issued. If test scores are expired or expected to expire before that time, an updated exam will be required.
• TOEFL information may be obtained from ets.org/toefl. Lehigh’s institutional code is 2365.
• If you have taken the TOEFL iBT more than once within the last 2 years, have ETS send us your most recent score report. ETS will automatically include your MyBest scores along with the traditional scores from your selected test date. If your most recent scores do not meet the minimum sub-score requirements, but your MyBest scores do, let the program know that you would like us to consider your MyBest scores. Please note: while many programs accept MyBest scores, some programs may not accept them.
• IELTS information can be found at ielts.org.
• Duolingo English Test information can be found at englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants.
• Pearson Test of English information can be found at pearsonpte.com/pte-academic.
• Cambridge English Language Assessment information can be found at cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/qualifications/general/.

For admissions purposes, Lehigh University’s Graduate Programs does not require language test scores from applicants who meet one of the criteria below. However, applicants assigned to be a teaching assistant may still need to complete an English Language Assessment before being a TA.

If you meet any one of the criteria listed below, you will indicate this in your Application for Graduate Admission. There is no need to contact the University in advance.

Note that in all cases below, students will still need to be certified in English proficiency to serve as a Teaching Assistant. This may require additional assessment and training once matriculated at Lehigh.

• Speak English and are a citizen or permanent resident of a country where English is an official language (including: United States of America, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Botswana, Canada, Cayman Island, Dominica, England, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Montserrat, Pakistan, Republic of Ireland, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uganda, Wales).
• At the time of enrollment at Lehigh, will have earned a degree from an accredited U.S. college or university located in the U.S. (Please note that you must have been physically present in the U.S. for the majority of your enrollment, a minimum of 2 consecutive years.)
• At the time of enrollment at Lehigh, will have earned the international equivalent of a U.S. degree from a college or university located in a country where English is an official language, and where English is the language of instruction (including United States of America, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Botswana, Canada, Cayman Island, Dominica, England, Ethiopia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Montserrat, Pakistan, Republic of Ireland, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, Uganda, Wales). The medium of instruction must be indicated on the transcript or easily verified on the institution’s website. (Please note that you must have been physically present in the country of study for a minimum of 2 consecutive years.)
• At the time of enrollment at Lehigh, will have studied and/or worked full-time for at least 2 consecutive years* within the last 5 years in a country or employment setting where English is an official and widely spoken language. This experience must be noted on a transcript and/or described on a resume or CV. We will accept a combination of study and work—e.g., an applicant who completed a 1-year master’s degree in the U.S. followed by 1 year of OPT. If you are or were a student, the full-time study must have been for at least 2 consecutive academic years AND English must have been the language of instruction for your studies. (Please note that you must have been physically present in the country of study for a minimum of 2 consecutive years.)

Please note that Lehigh uses a holistic admission process, as such, English language test scores are only one metric used in evaluating graduate student applications. Lehigh does offer conditional admission in special circumstances.

Exceptions to this policy are rare. If you believe that you have a unique circumstance and would like to submit alternative documentation, please contact us at intgrad@lehigh.edu.

Lehigh University does not discriminate in its admissions practices on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin (including shared ancestry), pregnancy or related conditions, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status, except as may be permitted by law.