Admissions - Global Health | Duke Kunshan University (2024)

If your first language is not English, you must submit TOEFL iBT scores and IELTS Academic scores and, for the 2023-2024 application cycle, we will accept results from three online tests that do not use testing centers: the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, IELTS Online, and theDuolingo English Test. For Duolingo English Test scores, only test results with subscores will be accepted. The scores will be a decisive factor during the application review process. Duke Kunshan University only admits applicants who have one of the following minimum scores:

577 for paper-based TOEFL

90 for an Internet-based TOEFL

7.0 for the IELTS

125 for the Duolingo

How to Submit

An official copy must be sent to Duke Kunshan University directly from the testing agency.

TOEFL:AskEducational Testing Service to send an official copy of the scores to Duke Kunshan University, using institution code 5156. You do not need a department code. If ETS requires a department code, select any one of the department codes listed. Regardless of the department code entered, the scores will come to Duke Kunshan University as long as you use institution code 5156.

ETS only reports TOEFL scores for up to two years after the test date. If ETS refuses to report your score, you need to retake the TOEFL before submitting your application.

Score Requirements

Your scores must not be more than two years old from August 1 of the application year regardless of when you submit your application during that timeframe. If you submit your application between August 2023 and May 2024, your score report must be dated August 1, 2021, or later, regardless of when you submit your application during that time period.
We do not accept personal copies, attested copies, or notarized copies of test scores.

Duolingo

Minimum threshold score of 125
Instructions for sending official scores:
Duolingo English Test:There is no institutional code forDuolingo, but applicants will need to select “Duke University” at the “Graduate” program type level as the institution to send scores to.Please Note:Make sure to include subscores when you select your institution. Score reports without subscores will not be accepted. If you are not sure how to include subscores in your score report, please contact Duolingo English Test support on the Duolingo English Test website.

Additional Language Requirements

All admitted students whose first language is not English are required to take placement exams conducted by the Language and Culture Center at the beginning of the term of matriculation. Depending on the exam results, students are either exempted from or placed into English for Academic Purposes courses. All courses that a student places into are degree requirements.

TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Policy

To be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver, you must have studied full time for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to application submission.

If you believe you qualify for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver based on the above criteria, upload a written request for the waiver in the Additional Information section of your online application. In your request, be sure to state where you completed the two-year study requirement. Due to the volume of applications we receive, we will not examine, confirm the status of, or grant any waiver requests prior to extending an offer of admission.

Keep in mind that any admitted student whose first language is not English MUST take oral and written English placement exams conducted by the English for International Students program at the beginning of the term of matriculation.

To be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS waiver, you must have studied full time for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to application submission.

Keep in mind that any admitted student whose first language is not English must take oral and written English placement exams conducted by the English for International Students program at the beginning of the term of matriculation. This is required regardless of whether a TOEFL/IELTS waiver is granted.

NOTE: We strongly encourage all applicants whose first language is not English to take either the TOEFL or the IELTS test before applying to Duke Kunshan University, even if they meet the TOEFL/IELTS waiver criteria. The exam results can provide vital information to an applicant and Duke Kunshan University regarding the strength of an applicant’s academic English skills. In addition, many graduate departments and programs consider TOEFL and IELTS score a critical factor during the application review process. Contact your department or program of interest to determine how or whether TOEFL and IELTS scores factor into their application revi