Conditional Admission Based on Low English Language Proficiency

International students who apply for graduate admission and meet all of the department’s other admission requirements, but do not meet UB’s minimum English language proficiency requirement may be eligible for Conditional Admission as follows:

  • Applicants whose TOEFL scores fall between 193/523 and 200/533 (inclusive) at the time of the admission review must successfully complete a Fall, Spring, or twelve-week summer Intensive English Program in the UB English Language Institute (ELI).
  • Applicants whose TOEFL scores fall between 203/537 and 210/547 (inclusive) at the time of the admission review must successfully complete a Fall, Spring, or six-week summer Intensive English Program in the UB English Language Institute (ELI).

Upon successfully completing the required ELI program, the applicant will be deemed to have met the conditions for Conditional Admission and will be free to begin the academic program of study with no further ESL language requirements (with the exception of international teaching, research, and graduate assistants, who may be required to register for ESL 512; see International Teaching, Research, and Graduate Assistants, below).

Conditional Admission is not permitted based on low IELTS scores.

Conditional Admission may only be granted at the time of admission and prior to the student enrolling in the English Language Institute. Conditional Admission cannot be granted retroactively.

Schools and departments have sole authority to grant Conditional Admission (based on the above minimum requirements). Authorization is not required from the UB Graduate School.

Letters of Conditional Admission must clearly state the terms and conditions, and that Intensive English Program courses are non-credit bearing and that the student is responsible for tuition and fees.