English Proficiency

International applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate competence in English by the application deadline. Applicants must meet University English Minimum requirements set by the Purdue Graduate School for eligible review. Oldest acceptable exam date for a Fall 2023 application is April 2021. CS Department English Proficiency minimums are significantly higher - see below. 

The following scores are recommended based on past competitive applicants: 

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
  • a total of 100 on the internet-based test with no subscale score lower than 22
• IELTS (Academic International English Language Testing System):
  • overall band score of at least 7.5, with no single band score lower than 7.0
• Duolingo
  • overall score of no less than 135 with no sub-score less than 135

For information on registration, test centers and dates, visit www.toefl.org or www.ielts.org.

You must self-report your scores and upload a scan of the score report into the online application by the deadline. You will also need to have ETS send your official English Scores to the Purdue University Graduate School. Give the institution code 1631 and the department code 78.

According to the Graduate School, they "might consider a waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS requirements (not for the speaking requirement for TAs) for applicants who received (within 36 months before admission) a baccalaureate degree or graduate or professional degree from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country where English is the native/official language." However, it is in one’s best interest to submit scores because we use them to decide on financial support, particularly for Teaching Assistantship positions. Also, applicants with TOEFL waivers cannot register until they submitted proof that they received the degree.

Contact Us: csgradinfo@purdue.edu