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Cooper Union

International Applicants

English Language Proficiency

Undergraduate Applicants

To succeed at The Cooper Union, all students must demonstrate strong English language proficiency. You can satisfy the English proficiency requirement by meeting one of the following criteria: 

  • English is your native language
  • English has been the primary language of instruction at your school for the past four years, throughout your secondary school education (typically the past four years) 

Graduate Applicants

  • All applicants to The Cooper Union's graduate programs must demonstrate strong English language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension
  • Applicants who are not U.S. citizens must submit English proficiency test scores unless they have earned, or are currently earning, a degree from an institution in the United States or in a country where English is the official language

Applicants who do not meet one of these criteria are required to submit an English proficiency exam score 

Please ensure that the name on your passport matches the name on your application and on your language scores. English language proficiency test results are valid for two years only.

Test for English Language Proficiency Minimum Score Requirements
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

100 (internet-based test, for tests taken before January 21, 2026)

5.0 (internet-based test, for tests taken on or after January 21, 2026)

MyBest® scores are not accepted
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
 		 7.0 
DET (Duolingo English Test) 130 

 

  • We do not accept results from the following exams: IELTS Indicator, TOEFL ITP Plus for China, TOEFL Essentials, and PTE Academic Online. 
  • English Language Proficiency Waiver: If you believe you qualify for a waiver, you may email the Office of Admissions at admissions@cooper.edu and include your explanation for the waiver request.
  • Applicants who do not qualify for a waiver must submit an approved English language proficiency exam for their application to be reviewed for admission.

If you graduated from an international high school or completed your bachelor’s degree outside of the United States, please follow the guidelines below to submit your high school transcript(s) and exam results.

Transcripts
  • Official Transcripts
    Arrange for your high school to send your official transcripts directly to us via the Common Application for undergrad applicants and by email to admissions@cooper.edu for graduate applicants.
  • Translations of Non-English Transcripts
    If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must also submit a certified English translation.
Predicted and Final Exam Results
  • Please provide predicted or final results for all exams taken as part of your academic program. This includes exams such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (I/GCSE), or any other national or international exams relevant to your education.
Credential Evaluations

Credential Evaluation 

If you graduated from an international high school or completed your bachelor’s degree outside of the United States, you are required to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation to verify that your coursework aligns with U.S. educational standards. Please send your official foreign transcripts directly to one of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) accredited agencies below. After completing the evaluation, the agency will send the official report directly to our office on your behalf.

Credential evaluations may be waived for applicants that meet the criteria below:

  • Attend U.S. schools abroad or international schools following a U.S. curriculum
  • Enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum
    • Full IB Diploma Programme with strong academic performance across all subjects
    • Include predicted grades with your transcript
  • Enrolled in British Curriculum 
    • (I/GCSE)I/GCSE results provided with predicted results for all A-Level subjects
    • Students admitted with predicted A-Level results will be asked to verify their final results once they are released
    • Students are not eligible for admission with only I/GCSE results
  • Graduate school applicants with a bachelor's degree from the United States
  • Other exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis by The Cooper Union Office of Admissions. If a credential evaluation is not waived, it will be required. Failure to submit a course-by-course credential evaluation will prevent your application from being reviewed.

 

 

 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.