The instruction language of Duke Kunshan University is English. Therefore, all graduates whose first language is not English are required to take oral and written English placement exams administrated by the Language and Culture Center (LCC) upon matriculation.
The English placement exams generally take place during Orientation Week every August. All matriculated students whose first language is not English are required to take the exam unless you meet all of the following criteria:
- You received a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo waiver from your degree program. To be eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo English Test waiver, you must have studied fulltime for two years or more at a college or university where the sole language of instruction is English and in a country where English is the primary spoken language. The two years of study must be completed prior to the start of the program.
- Completed a four-year undergraduate degree in an English-speaking institution in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
- Scored above the 50th percentile on the GRE verbal (currently 151 or higher) and GRE writing (currently 4.0 or higher). Note: GRE scores are required for exemption purposes even if your degree program did not require them for admission because they provide important information about your language abilities.
Academic Writing (GS 720K) and Oral Communication (GS 721K) are offered to graduate students who wish to improve their English skills. They carry three credits and are graded on a credit/no credit basis. If you are placed into GS 720K and/or GS 721K, you must complete these courses during the first year of graduate study.