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IELTS Requirements at University of Southern California — Scores & Tips

University of Southern California in United States requires IELTS Academic for international student admissions. The minimum overall band score is 7.0 for undergraduate programmes and 7.0 for postgraduate programmes. Requirements may vary by department and programme.

7.0 UG Minimum

7.0 PG Minimum

IELTS Academic Module Required

QS #80 Ranking

IELTS Score Requirements at University of Southern California

Level of StudyOverall MinimumComponent Requirements
Undergraduate (UG)7.06.5 each
Postgraduate (PG)7.06.0 each

This university requires IELTS Academic. General Training scores are not accepted for degree-level admissions.

About IELTS Requirements at University of Southern California

USC requires IELTS 7.0 with no section below 6.5 for undergraduate and 6.0 for graduate admissions. The Marshall School of Business may have higher expectations.

View official English language requirements at University of Southern California

IELTS Tips for University of Southern California Applicants

  • •Always check the specific programme page on the University of Southern California website. Requirements can differ between departments and even between courses within the same faculty.
  • •If your score is 0.5 to 1.0 bands below the requirement, check whether University of Southern California offers a pre-sessional English course. Many universities provide conditional admission with a language bridge programme.
  • •Pay close attention to individual component requirements. Many programmes at University of Southern California set a higher minimum for Writing because academic writing is critical for coursework and dissertations.
  • •IELTS results are valid for two years. Plan your test date so your scores are current both when you apply and when you enrol at University of Southern California.

Frequently Asked Questions: IELTS for University of Southern California

What IELTS score do I need for University of Southern California?
University of Southern California requires a minimum overall IELTS score of 7.0 for undergraduate programmes and 7.0 for postgraduate programmes. Some departments and specific courses may have higher requirements.
Does University of Southern California accept IELTS General Training?
No. Like nearly all universities, University of Southern California requires IELTS Academic for degree-level admissions. If you submit a General Training score, your application will be considered incomplete.
Does University of Southern California offer pre-sessional English courses?
Many universities, including University of Southern California, offer pre-sessional English courses for applicants who score 0.5 to 1.0 bands below the requirement. Check the university website for current availability and entry criteria.
How long are IELTS scores valid for University of Southern California admissions?
IELTS scores are typically valid for two years from the test date. University of Southern California requires that your scores be current at the time of application and enrolment.

Sources & References

  • •Official admissions and English language requirements page at University of Southern California
  • •IELTS Official — ielts.org — Test information and global recognition data

Requirements were last verified in March 2026. University admission requirements may change with policy updates. Always verify requirements directly with the university before submitting applications.

আপনার বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের IELTS প্রয়োজনীয়তা পূরণ করুন

ভর্তির জন্য Band 6.5, 7.0, বা 7.5 অর্জনের জন্য বিনামূল্যে সাপ্তাহিক কৌশল।

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