In line with the policies set by UCI Graduate Division, all graduate students, except those who have earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database, are required to demonstrate oral English proficiency before they are appointed to Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate titles. The aforementioned exception will apply only when the undergraduate degree has been earned within five years prior to admission to a graduate program at UCI.
Oral proficiency in English is demonstrated by meeting one of the following requirements:- Achieving a minimum score of 26 on the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT (*scores are valid for two years after the test date)
- Achieving a minimum score of 8 on the Speaking section of the IELTS (*scores are valid for two years after the test date)
- Achieving a minimum score of 50 on the SPEAK (scores are valid for the duration of the time a student is enrolled at UCI)
- Achieving a minimum score of 5 on the TOEP (scores are valid for the duration of the time a student is enrolled at UCI)
The Graduate Division must receive official score reports from the testing centers and validate that minimum scores have been achieved before units may extend offers of Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate appointments.
*For those graduate students required to demonstrate English proficiency at the time of admission and who have an official TOEFL iBT or IELTS score report on file, a passing score in the Speaking section will remain valid for Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate appointments for the duration of the time a student is enrolled at UCI.
Exception to the Policy
A student earned an undergraduate degree from an institution at which English was the sole language of instruction according to the World Higher Education Database within five years prior to admission to a graduate program at UCI.
Exemptions to the Policy- Students who have received an undergraduate degree in an institution with English as its sole language of instruction and who are more than five years beyond degree.
- Students appointed to Teaching Assistant or Teaching Associate positions for advanced language courses where the entire course is conducted in a language of instruction other than English are exempt from the English language proficiency requirement in this policy.
If You Meet the Requirements for Exemption, Your Department Can Request an Oral Screening
For students who meet the exemption requirements, the graduate program/department of the student can request an Oral Screening (a short 5-10 minute assessment) for the student by emailing TOEP@uci.edu with the following information: (1) the student's information (name, UCI ID number, email address) and (2) confirmation that the student has have received an undergraduate degree in an institution with English as its sole language of instruction and is more than five years beyond degree. The staff in the Program in Global Languages and Communication will then contact the student directly to set up an appointment for an Oral Screening, which will be assessed by instructors or academic coordinators in the Program in Global Languages and Communication. The outcome of the Oral Screening will determine whether or not the student has to take an oral English proficiency exam. The outcome be sent to the Graduate Division within 5-7 business days of the assessment. The Graduate Division will update the score to the student's profile and notify the student's department.
Do You Have Questions About Whether You Need to Take an Exam?
For questions about whether you need to take an exam, whether you qualify for an exemption, or whether you are in the exception category, please contact UCI Graduate Division. UCI Graduate Division oversees the policies and requirements for graduate student TAs' oral English proficiency exams. Graduate Division contacts are:
