*Submitted with all required documents
**I-20 request form and all required valid documents submitted
*Submitted with all required documents
**I-20 request form and all required valid documents submitted
TOEFL (iBT): Composite score of at least 79, with a minimum of 14 in reading
TOEFL (PBT): Composite score of at least 550, with a minimum of 48 in reading
IELTS: Composite score of at least 6.5, with a minimum of a 5.5 in Reading and 5 in Writing
Duolingo English Test: Minimum score: 115
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 480 or higher; or 25 or higher on Writing and Language Test; and 26 or higher on Reading Test
ACT English: 18, Reading: 20
Pearson PTE: Composite score of at least 55
TOEFL (iBT): Composite score of at least 61
TOEFL (PBT): Composite score of at least 500
IELTS: Composite score of at least 5.5, with a minimum of 5 in Reading and Writing
Duolingo English Test: Minimum score: 100
SAT: Variable
ACT English: Variable
Pearson PTE: Composite score of at least 44, with a minimum of 42 in Reading
Students who do not meet this standard may be considered for conditional admission to a degree program, but will first need to attend the American English Language Program at Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çuntil this requirement has been met.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) requires students to meet readiness standards to enter Kentucky public colleges and universities. If you standardized test scores fall below CPE college readiness standards, you will be required to take a to determine proper placement in English, math, and/or reading classes priori to course registration.
CPE Placement Standards
ACT: English 18, Math 19, Reading 20
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 480, Math 500
If your scores fall below the above mentioned, you must take a College Placement Test(s) in each of the areas in which you did not meet the requirement. You will NOT be able to register for classes until your College Placement Test(s) have been taken. The College Placement Test is only available to admitted students. You may choose to re-take the SAT or ACT test to raise your subject scores.
Admission to Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾çdoes not guarantee acceptance to all academic programs. The following academic programs have requirements above those listed for regular admission:
Additionally, music requires an audition. If you are interested in studying music, please email SOTA@nku.edu for more information.
International students interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree can apply to Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ç (NKU) by completing the following application requirements:
All undergraduate students can complete NKU's Online Application to begin the process of applying to NKU. Please note that you will need to create an account ID and password before you can proceed with the application.
High School Students:
Official transcripts from all years of secondary school (or high school) must be sent directly to International Student & Scholar Services by the student’s current or previous educational institution(s). If your current or previous high school cannot send your transcripts directly do us, they can provide official documents to you in a sealed and stamped envelope. If transcripts are not in English, you must provide a certified translation.
If you have attended ANY college or university:
Official transcripts from ALL colleges or universities attended MUST be submitted to Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ças part of the application, regardless of wether you want to receive transfer credits. Failure to include university studies on an application, whether the university was in the U.S. or abroad, can result in the immediate rescinding of an admission offer.
All applicants with foreign university-level coursework must have their transcripts professionally evaluated by a member of the (NACES). These course-by-course evaluations must include U.S. equivalencies for number of credit hours, grades attained, overall GPA, and degree awarded (if applicable).
Students transferring fewer than 24 credit hours (or 36 quarter hours) of coursework (excluding developmental or remedial coursework, as determined by NKU) must also submit their high school transcripts as part of their application.
If you are mailing documents, please use this address:
Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ç
International Student & Scholar Services
100 Nunn Drive
UC 305
Highland Heights, KY 41099 U.S.A.
Your official score reports must be sent directly to Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ç (NKU). For minimum score requirements, please refer to our Admissions Standards.
International Freshmen applicants must submit ONE of the following test scores:
International Transfer applicants can demonstrate English fluency with one of the following:
If you do not meet NKU’s English proficiency requirement, you may be given conditional admission to a degree program pending your completion of our American English Language Program.
If you are mailing documents, please use this address:
Â鶹ËÞÉáµçÊÓ¾ç
International Student & Scholar Services
100 Nunn Drive
UC 305
Highland Heights, KY 41099 U.S.A.
