To ensure academic success at Montana State University Billings, the University requires students demonstrate English competency in speaking, writing, reading, and listening.

English proficiency must be demonstrated by one of the following: 


1) Obtaining a minimum required score on an English Proficiency examination:

 English Proficiency Examination Minimum Required Score 
Internet-based TOEFL test (iBT)
MSUB school code: 4298

68

 Revised TOEFL Paper-delivered test  56
 Paper-based TOEFL test (PBT)  515
 IELTS  5.5 (6.0 score effective Jan. 1, 2024)
 iTEP  3.5
 PTE Academic  48
 Duolingo  90 (100 score, effective Jan. 1, 2024)
 APIEL  3
 English3  58
 SAT - Writing/Language Score  25+
 SAT - Evidence-based Reading/Writing  440
 ACT - English Score  20+
EIKEN Pre-1

 Or

2) Successfully completing an intensive English program:

Intensive English Program Minimum Required Level
INTERLINK International Institute at MSU Successful completion of Level 5
Bridge English Language Center Successful completion of Level B2
EC Language Centres Successful completion of Upper Intermediate Level
EF Education First International Language Centers Successful completion of program level C-1
ESL Language Centers  Successful completion of program level 112
Embassy English Successful completion of program level 4
FLS International Successful completion of program level 8
ILSC Successful completion of University Pathway Program Advanced Level 2
Open Hearts Language Academy Successful completion of Advanced 2 level or Elite level
PGIC Successful completion of Advanced level
Spring International Language Center Successful completion of level 6

 

Conditional Admission for Undergraduate Applicants


Students who do not meet English proficiency requirements for full admission to Montana State University Billings, but are academically qualified, may be awarded "conditional admission." Successful completion of an intensive English program will satisfy the English proficiency requirement. Once the necessary level of proficiency is achieved, students must submit their certificates of completion to the International Admissions team for evaluation. 

Montana State University Billings offers an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) on the university campus. Students enrolled in MSUB's IELP program are able to live in the university residence halls, eat at university restaurants and cafe's, enjoy MSUB's active student community, and take advantage of university support services while studying English. Upon arrival at MSUB, IELP students take an English Placement Exam (Accuplacer) to determine their English proficiency level. At the conclusion of each semester, students will retake the English Placement Exam to reassess their level of English proficiency. Students who successfully pass the English Placement Exam can begin their academic programs at Montana State University Billings. 

It is important to note that, depending on the result of the English Placement Exam, students may be:

  1. Granted full admission to Montana State University Billings;
  2. Required to enroll part-time in IELP while beginning one or more academic courses; or,  
  3. Require to enroll full-time in IELP until the required level of English proficiency is reached.

Exemptions from Providing Proof of English Proficiency


 Approved Programs

  1. Students who graduate with an IB diploma (International Baccalaureate) are exempt from providing proof of English proficiency.
  2. Students who receive a result of C or above on the IGCSE O-Level English examination are exempt from providing proof of English proficiency.

Countries

If you have received a high school, bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree from an institution in the United States or a country listed below, an English proficiency examination is not required. 

Anguilla Falkland Islands Montserrat
Antigua & Barbuda Gibraltar New Zealand
Australia Grenada St. Kitts & Nevis
Bahamas Guernsey St. Lucia
Barbados Guyana St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Belize Ireland Trinidad & Tobago
British Virgin Islands Isle of Man Turks & Caicos Islands
Canada (except Quebec) Jamaica United Kingdom
Cayman Islands Jersey United States Territories 
Dominica Liberia