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Duke University IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026

Duke University based in Durham, North Carolina applies a single IELTS floor at both undergraduate and graduate level: overall 7.0. Programme-specific minimums sit above this floor; the breakdown below lists every programme on this page that does.

Undergraduate
7.0overall band
With no published per-section minimum.
CEFR C1
Per-section -

English-proficiency tests are recommended but not required for non-native speakers; where IELTS is submitted, the minimum band score expected is 7.0.

Graduate
7.0overall band
With no published per-section minimum.
CEFR C1
Per-section -

The Graduate School generally seeks scores no less than 7.0 overall on the IELTS Academic; no per-section minimum is stated and individual departments may require higher.

Last verified 2026-06-08. The figures on this page are taken from Duke University's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.

Official admissions page

About Duke and its IELTS requirement

Duke looks for an overall 7.0 on the IELTS Academic for both undergraduate and graduate applicants, with individual departments free to set the bar higher.

Translating the published minimum into a study target

Undergraduate applicants to Duke need an overall IELTS Academic band of 7.0 with no published per-section minimum. In CEFR terms this corresponds to C1. English-proficiency tests are recommended but not required for non-native speakers; where IELTS is submitted, the minimum band score expected is 7.0.

For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 7.0 with no published per-section minimum (CEFR C1). The Graduate School generally seeks scores no less than 7.0 overall on the IELTS Academic; no per-section minimum is stated and individual departments may require higher.

How to prepare for the Duke IELTS minimum

A target of 7.0 requires reliable performance across all four sections (CEFR C1). Most candidates at this band drop marks on Writing Task 2 or Speaking Part 3 because those sections reward extended, organised argument rather than accuracy alone. Practise full-length under timed conditions, then drill the weakest section.

Official sources

FAQ

Common questions

What is the minimum IELTS score for Duke University?
For undergraduate study at Duke University, the published minimum is overall 7.0 with no published per-section minimum. For graduate study, the minimum is overall 7.0 with no published per-section minimum. Specific programmes can require higher; the figures here reflect the institutional baseline.
What if my IELTS score is below the Duke minimum?
If your overall is at or just above the threshold but one section is short, Duke usually treats this the same as missing the overall: the per-section requirement is a hard gate. The fastest path back into the pool is a retake focused on the single weak section. Candidates with overall 6.5 and a Writing band of 6.0 routinely lift the Writing band by 0.5–1.0 inside a month of structured Task 1 and Task 2 practice.

See where you stand against the Duke minimum

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