English is the primary medium of instruction and working language here at CUHK-Shenzhen. We require candidates to demonstrate good English Language proficiency for the best study experience. Therefore, an applicant must demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in English. Our minimum standards are:

• IELTS: 6.5, with no band under 6.0
• TOEFL iBT: 80, with no band under 20
• ACT Combined English/ Writing or English Language Arts (ELA): 23 (Uni code7009). 
• SAT (New) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing:  590 (Uni code7509). 
• GCSE/ GCE-OL: C
• GCE-AL/ AS: C
• IB: 4 in HL/SL
• Indian Central or State Board Exam Grade 12 English: 80%
• Malaysian SPM / UEC-Senior English Language: C
• Singapore GCE A-Level H1 General Paper: C
• GSAT / AST English: Top 13% of the cohort
• C2 Proficiency, formerly known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): Grade C, Level C1
• C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): Grade B, or Grade C with no skill below 168
• PTE Academic: min 64, no band under 60, do not accept PTE Academic Online

* We do not accept Duolingo or IGCSE. 

[IMPORTANT]

If you intend to apply during the Early Bird and Regular Round of the 2025 Entry but do not have a qualifying English language proficiency test result ready, you can still submit your application, and upload the test result later before Apr 11, 2025. 

We strongly recommend applicants take IELTS or TOEFL iBT, if without any other accepted English language certificate, as early as possible to achieve the required test results. Demonstrating good English proficiency in your application will give you a better chance of a better offer.

Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English?

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re from one of the following countries or territories, or you have received or will receive a qualification equivalent to a high school diploma in one of them:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• UK
• USA