Brown University IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026
Brown University based in Providence, Rhode Island publishes IELTS Academic minimums for both undergraduate and graduate study. The two cards below show those institutional baselines; the editorial body translates the bands into a study target and lists the programmes that publish their own, higher thresholds.
Brown University requires a minimum IELTS Academic score of 8.0 overall for undergraduate admission and 7.0 overall for graduate study as of 2026. Individual programmes may set higher thresholds. All figures are sourced from the Brown admissions page and verified on 2026-06-23.
Brown expects an IELTS overall of 8.0 for undergraduate applicants whose first language is not English. No per-band minimum is published. Submission is highly recommended but proficiency must be demonstrated before enrolment.
The Graduate School recommends an overall band of 7.0. Individual programmes may require higher scores. Duolingo is not accepted at the graduate level.
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Last verified 2026-06-23. The figures on this page are taken from Brown University's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.
About Brown and its IELTS requirement
Brown's undergraduate IELTS expectation of 8.0 is among the highest in the Ivy League. The Graduate School is softer at a recommended 7.0, but individual departments often set higher thresholds. Duolingo is notably not accepted for graduate programmes.
Translating the published minimum into a study target
Undergraduate applicants to Brown need an overall IELTS Academic band of 8.0 with no published per-section minimum. In CEFR terms this corresponds to C1. Brown expects an IELTS overall of 8.0 for undergraduate applicants whose first language is not English. No per-band minimum is published. Submission is highly recommended but proficiency must be demonstrated before enrolment.
For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 7.0 with no published per-section minimum (CEFR C1). The Graduate School recommends an overall band of 7.0. Individual programmes may require higher scores. Duolingo is not accepted at the graduate level.
Programmes that raise the bar
Several Brown programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes School of Professional Studies (SPS / EMBA) (overall 7.5). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.
How to prepare for the Brown IELTS minimum
A target of 8.0 sits at the upper end of the IELTS band scale (CEFR C1). The single biggest predictor of reaching it is per-section consistency: a weak Writing band or a wobble in Speaking will pull the overall down even when Listening and Reading are strong. Run a full-length practice test under timed conditions, look at where your section bands fall, and prioritise the lowest one for focused work before sitting the live test.
Programme-specific IELTS minimums
These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.
| Programme | Overall | Per-section |
|---|---|---|
| School of Professional Studies (SPS / EMBA) | 7.5 | - |
Other English tests Brown accepts
TOEFL iBT 105 (undergraduate) / 90 recommended (graduate). Duolingo 130 accepted for undergraduate only. PTE 75 accepted for undergraduate. Cambridge C1/C2 191+ accepted for undergraduate.
Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.
Official sources
- Brown University - official English-language requirements (primary source for the bands on this page)
- IELTS.org - IELTS scoring in detail (official nine-band scale and how each band is awarded)
- British Council - IELTS band scores explained
Common questions
What is the minimum IELTS score for Brown University?
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