University of California English Language Requirements: Minimum new TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115.

The University of California (UC) has listed the English proficiency requirements for incoming international freshmen on its admissions website. The TOEFL requirements are divided into two standards based on the test date: for tests taken from January 2026 onwards, the minimum requirement is 4.5 on the new scoring scale. Applicants who have attended high school entirely in a non-English-speaking country (including most Chinese students) must meet this requirement.

Specific Score Requirements and Deadlines

Chinese students applying to the University of California must meet the following English test requirements:

• TOEFL: Before January 2026, a minimum score of 80 is required for the iBT or Home Edition; from January 2026 onwards, a minimum score of 4.5 is required for the new test version.
• IELTS: 6.5 or higher.
• Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 115.
• Alternative Options: A score of 3 or higher on AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition; a score of 6–7 at Standard Level or 5–7 at Higher Level for IB English (Language A only); a score of 24 or higher on the ACT English Language Arts (ELA); or a score of 31 or higher on the old SAT Writing and Language test. Meeting any one of these is sufficient.
• Deadline: The test must be completed by December of the student's senior year of high school.

Unaccepted Test Scores

The University of California explicitly states that the following scores will not be accepted to demonstrate English proficiency:

• MyBest Scores (TOEFL): Superscores are not accepted; only the highest total score from a single test date is accepted.
• IELTS One Skill Retake: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) One Skill Retake scores are not accepted.
• Digital SAT Reading and Writing: Scores from this section of the new digital SAT are not approved to meet the English proficiency requirement.

Advice for Chinese Students and Parents

• Plan Your Tests Early: The university strongly recommends taking the test early, as scores are one of the factors considered in admissions.
• Note Campus Differences: Individual UC campuses may require scores higher than the minimum standards. Some campuses may also require an interview during the application review process to assess English proficiency. Please refer to official updates for specific details.
• Score Submission: Self-report your scores in the UC application system. Once admitted, simply send your valid and unexpired official score report to the campus you plan to attend.

Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/international-applicants/english-language-proficiency-toefl-ielts.html. Policies are subject to the latest official releases.