The English Proficiency Requirement (EPR) is to evaluate the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English and who want to enroll in regular UC Berkeley Summer Sessions' courses. All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency.

Please Note: The English proficiency exam scores are required for record-keeping purposes only and are not criteria for admission to Berkeley Summer Sessions.

Acceptable English Proficiency Exams

Results from the following exams are acceptable to fulfill the English Proficiency Requirement.

While there is no minimum score required for admissions purposes, the following scores indicate the recommended level of proficiency to attend courses taught entirely in English.

You should take the exam at your earliest convenience to allow time to submit all required documents to complete the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 visa document) prior to the published deadline. An expired score (of no more than 1 year) is acceptable. Your I-20 visa document will not be issued without the submission of the EPR or approved waiver.

Exemptions

All Summer Sessions' applicants must meet the EPR regardless of citizenship, unless you are a student from one of the exempt countries.

List of Exempt Countries

Students who enroll exclusively in the following courses are also exempt from the English Proficiency Requirement:

1. Summer English Language Institute (ELI/ESL)
2. 1-Unit American Studies Courses

You may be exempt if your university has been granted an exemption based on a Partnership agreement. Please check our list of International Registration Centers and ask your international advisor.

Waivers

Waivers may be requested if any of the following criteria apply:

1. You reside in a country where English is the primary or official language and that country is not on our List of Exempt Countries.
2. You currently attend a university where English is the language of instruction for the majority of courses taught.
3. You have attended schools at the secondary level (high school) or above for at least three years full-time where English is the principal language of instruction (as in the United States, the United Kingdom, and in some international schools).

Please Note: Waivers will be considered only after the student has registered for courses. If the waiver is denied, the student may still submit an English proficiency exam score before the deadline to Request Certificate of Eligibility for Visa from any of the acceptable exams listed above. Students who cancel their registration due to wavier denials are still obligated to pay cancellation fees. All waiver criteria must be verified by official documentation from official verifiable sources.

Procedure for Requesting a Waiver

Students Currently Studying in an English Speaking Country

If you are an international student who is currently studying in an English-speaking country (or has studied in an English-speaking country) for at least one academic year, you are not required to submit an EPR document. Instead, you will have to submit a transcript from the school where courses were taught in English. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Please upload the transcript to the MySummer student portal.

English Proficiency Requirement Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions about the English Proficiency Requirement contact: summer@berkeley.edu