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English Language Requirements

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

New England Conservatory requires international students, or those whose first language is not English, to demonstrate their readiness to pursue programs of higher education in English. All scores referenced below are based on the Internet Based Testing scores. Undergraduate students must document scores of 61 or better in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Graduate students must document scores of 79 or better in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

Undergraduate students admitted to NEC with scores below 61 will be required to enroll in NEC’s summer intensive ESL Program prior to starting their degree program at the Conservatory. Following completion of the summer ESL course, students will be given NEC’s English proficiency exam and will be placed in the appropriate ESL level.

Undergraduate students admitted with scores of 61 or higher will be placed in ESL study according to the following:

  • Undergraduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores between 61-69 will begin with ESL I
  • Undergraduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores between 70-75 will begin with ESL II
  • Undergraduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores between 76-81 will begin with ESL III
  • Undergraduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores between 82-87 will begin with ESL IV
  • Undergraduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores of 88 or higher are exempt from ESL requirements.

At any time during ESL study at NEC, a student may choose to take the official TOEFL wherever and whenever it is administered. On submitting an official score of 88 or higher, the student will not be required to register in future ESL classes at NEC.

English Requirements for Undergraduate Courses and Academic Departments
Before taking any Liberal Arts courses, a student whose native language is not English must submit: 1) a TOEFL score of 88 or higher, or 2) a passing grade in ESL IV. LARTS 111a is a pre-requisite for MHST 111a, and both of these courses are pre-requisites for other courses in their respective departments. 

Credits
Undergraduate students may apply ESL credits toward certain degree or diploma requirements.

GRADUATE STUDENTS

Graduate students admitted to NEC with scores below 79 will be required to enroll in NEC’s intensive summer ESL Certificate Program prior to starting their degree program at the Conservatory. Following completion of the summer ESL course, students will be given NEC’s English proficiency exam and will be placed in the appropriate ESL level.

Graduate students admitted with scores of 79 or higher will be placed in ESL study according to the following:

  • Graduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores between 79-81 will be placed in ESL III.
  • Graduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores between 82-87 will be placed in ESL IV.
  • Graduate students admitted to NEC with TOEFL scores of 88 or higher are exempt from ESL requirements.

English Requirements for Graduate Courses and Academic Departments
Before taking any credited graduate Musicology course, a student whose native language is not English must submit: 1) a TOEFL score of 88 or higher, or 2) a passing grade in ESL IV.

Credits
Graduate students earn zero credit for ESL courses.
Students who have completed a full-time, 4-year degree program at an English-speaking college/university may request an exemption from the TOEFL requirement by writing to the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising.

DOCTORAL STUDENTS

Doctoral students must meet high standards for written English in their entrance examination.