Intensive English Program

If you are an international or domestic undergraduate applicant whose native language is not English, and if you have not provided evidence of English proficiency according to the criteria above, you will be required to take the Applied English Center's proficiency test during Orientation. Depending on your test scores, you may be placed in intensive English classes.

The AEC’s Intensive English Program (IEP) has six levels of instruction, from Basic to level 5, Advanced. The chart below provides an estimate of how much additional English preparation you may need before beginning degree program coursework, depending on the level at which you start, and how quickly you progress.

Beginning at level 4 you will be allowed to take a KU class as well as your Intensive English classes. At level 5, you must take additional KU courses in order to remain full time. In addition, IEP classes at these levels are credit-bearing. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Architecture, and the School of Business will accept up to nine AEC credits.

The diagram below is based on students progressing one level per semester. It is possible that you may progress faster in one skill than another. It is also possible in certain circumstances to skip a level; when you arrive on campus, please speak with a cross-cultural advisor in the AEC office for further explanation. 

Approximate time in intensive English Program (IEP) courses by Level (as determined by results on AEC placement test)

Approximate time in intensive English Program (IEP) courses by Level (as determined by results on AEC placement test)
LevelTypical scores*Semester 1Semester 2Semester 3Semester 4Semester 5Semester 6
5iBT: 71-78
IELTS: 6.0		IEP p/t; KU
p/t		No AEC ClassNo AEC ClassNo AEC ClassNo AEC ClassNo AEC Class
4iBT: 60-70
IELTS: 6.0		IEP f/t or p/tIEP p/t;
KU p/t		No AEC ClassNo AEC ClassNo AEC ClassNo AEC Class
3iBT: 50-59
IELTS: 5.5		IEP
f/t		IEP f/t or p/tIEP p/t;
KU p/t		No AEC ClassNo AEC ClassNo AEC Class
2iBT: 40-49
IELTS: 5.0-5.5		IEP
f/t		IEP f/tIEP f/t or p/tIEP p/t;
KU p/t		No AEC ClassNo AEC Class
1iBT: 30-39
IELTS: 4.0 – 4.5		IEP
f/t		IEP f/tIEP f/tIEP f/t or p/tIEP p/t;
KU p/t		No AEC Class
BasiciBT: <30
IELTS: <4.0		IEP
f/t		IEP f/tIEP f/tIEP f/tIEP f/t or p/tIEP p/t;
KU p/t

*Please note: TOEFL iBT and IELTS scores do not always exactly predict level. Level is determined by the placement test. (f/t = full-time; p/t = part-time)

Updated: 12/2020