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University of Southern California IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026

University of Southern California based in Los Angeles, California 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
7.0overall band
With no published per-section minimum.
CEFR C1
Per-section -

USC requires a minimum IELTS (or IELTS Indicator) score of 7.0 for undergraduate admission. The university notes that its most competitive applicants have scores significantly higher than this minimum, and applicants below the minimum are admissible but at reduced rates.

Graduate

No single minimum published. No single university-wide graduate minimum is published. Each graduate programme sets its own English-proficiency requirements, typically ranging from 7.0 to 7.5 depending on the school.

Last verified 2026-06-16. The figures on this page are taken from University of Southern California'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 USC and its IELTS requirement

USC sets a clear undergraduate floor of IELTS 7.0, noting that the most competitive applicants score well above this. Graduate requirements are programme-specific with no single university-wide minimum, though most schools ask for 7.0 or higher.

Translating the published minimum into a study target

Undergraduate applicants to USC need an overall IELTS Academic band of 7.0 with no published per-section minimum. In CEFR terms this corresponds to C1. USC requires a minimum IELTS (or IELTS Indicator) score of 7.0 for undergraduate admission. The university notes that its most competitive applicants have scores significantly higher than this minimum, and applicants below the minimum are admissible but at reduced rates.

How to prepare for the USC 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 USC accepts

Also accepts TOEFL iBT (100), IELTS Indicator, Duolingo (120), and PTE Academic (68).

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 Southern California?
For undergraduate study at University of Southern California, the published minimum is overall 7.0 with no published per-section minimum. Specific programmes can require higher; the figures here reflect the institutional baseline.
Does USC accept other English tests besides IELTS?
Yes. Also accepts TOEFL iBT (100), IELTS Indicator, Duolingo (120), and PTE Academic (68). Acceptance and thresholds for alternative tests can change from one admission cycle to the next; the University of Southern California admissions page linked above is the authoritative source.
What if my IELTS score is below the USC minimum?
A short-fall against the USC 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 USC minimum

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