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University of Michigan IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026

University of Michigan based in Ann Arbor, Michigan 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.

Undergraduate
Acceptable score range
7.0overall band
With no band below 6.5.
CEFR C1
Per-section 6.5

Office of Undergraduate Admissions lists an acceptable IELTS / IELTS Indicator range of 7.0 with section scores 6.5+.

Graduate

No single minimum published. Rackham Graduate School sets no university-wide IELTS overall minimum; each graduate program sets and may exceed its own English-proficiency thresholds. Scores valid two years.

Last verified 2026-06-02. The figures on this page are taken from University of Michigan'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 U-M (Ann Arbor) and its IELTS requirement

University of Michigan undergraduate admissions lists an acceptable IELTS / IELTS Indicator range of 7.0 overall with section scores of 6.5 or higher. At the graduate level, Rackham Graduate School publishes no university-wide IELTS minimum and defers to individual programs, which set (and often exceed) their own thresholds.

Translating the published minimum into a study target

Undergraduate applicants to U-M (Ann Arbor) need an overall IELTS Academic band of 7.0 with no band below 6.5. In CEFR terms this corresponds to C1. Office of Undergraduate Admissions lists an acceptable IELTS / IELTS Indicator range of 7.0 with section scores 6.5+.

How to prepare for the U-M (Ann Arbor) 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.

Other English tests U-M (Ann Arbor) accepts

Undergraduate also accepts TOEFL iBT (100 range; 23+ reading/listening, 21+ speaking/writing), PTE 68, Cambridge C1/C2 185, MET 64. Duolingo is not accepted for undergraduate admission.

Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.

Official sources

FAQ

Common questions

What is the minimum IELTS score for University of Michigan?
For undergraduate study at University of Michigan, the published minimum is overall 7.0 with no band below 6.5. Specific programmes can require higher; the figures here reflect the institutional baseline.
What does 'no band below 6.5' mean at U-M (Ann Arbor)?
Every section of the IELTS Academic test must reach 6.5 for U-M (Ann Arbor). In practice the section that drops candidates below this floor is most often Writing, and occasionally Speaking; Listening and Reading tend to be the strongest two for international applicants. A test report with a single section below 6.5 is treated as if the overall band were also below the threshold, regardless of how high the overall actually is.
Does U-M (Ann Arbor) accept other English tests besides IELTS?
Yes. Undergraduate also accepts TOEFL iBT (100 range; 23+ reading/listening, 21+ speaking/writing), PTE 68, Cambridge C1/C2 185, MET 64. Duolingo is not accepted for undergraduate admission. Acceptance and thresholds for alternative tests can change from one admission cycle to the next; the University of Michigan admissions page linked above is the authoritative source.
What if my IELTS score is below the U-M (Ann Arbor) minimum?
A short-fall against the U-M (Ann Arbor) minimum is fixable rather than fatal in most admission cycles. Candidates who retake IELTS after four to six weeks of targeted practice on their lowest section commonly close a half-band gap. Targeted practice means full-length papers under timed conditions, not topical revision; the section that pulled you down on the last sitting is almost always the one that will pull you down again unless you specifically drill it.

See where you stand against the U-M (Ann Arbor) minimum

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