All international freshmen applicants must provide proof of English proficiency by providing scores that meet the University's minimum on one of the following exams:
| Exam Title |
Minimum Scores for Admissions Consideration |
| TOEFL: internet based |
70* |
| TOEFL: computer based |
237 |
| TOEFL: paper based |
580 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
7 |
* For the internet-based TOEFL only, the minimum scores required are based on the combined total of the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections. The Speaking section of the test is not used in the admission review at this time.
TOEFL scores are only valid for 2 years.
Alternative Options for English Proficiency Requirement
The University of Washington Bothell has partnered with the University of Washington Seattle English Language Programs to offer a conditional admissions program for students pursuing an undergraduate degree at UW Bothell. This program is for students who do not meet the minimum English Proficiency requirement(s) for admission, but are otherwise admissible.
A minimum grade of 80 percent is required in each course and students must obtain a recommendation from the Director of the UW Seattle English Language Program. After successful completion of the UW Seattle Intensive English Program requirements, applicants do not have to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or other standardized test scores as proof of language proficiency to UW Bothell.
OR
Completion of a minimum of four years of high school English in the United States with grades of 3.0 or higher and a minimum SAT critical reading score of 500 or an ACT English score of 22.
OR
Complete a Direct Transfer Agreement/Associate of Arts Degree with a minimum grade of 3.0 in both English Composition (Eng 131) and Writing from Research (Eng 182) from a community college in Washington state and have earned a minimum of a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
Exception: Non-U.S. citizens whose primary and secondary education took place in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, or the U.S. are exempt from this requirement. Students who were born in one of these countries but were educated elsewhere, will still be required to satisfy the English proficiency requirement.
International applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree with at least 90 or more quarter credits earned at a regionally accredited insitution in the U.S. or have received a masters degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution in the U.S. are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score.