English Proficiency Require­ments and Conditional Acceptance

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English Language Requirements and Conditional Acceptance

International students are required to demonstrate proof of English proficiency before they can be accepted to CIA. This can be done in the following ways:

  1. Through an approved English proficiency exam.
  2. By completing a program of study at an approved language school.
  3. By meeting the eligibility requirements of our waiver policy.

1. English Proficiency Exams

You may complete and submit your scores from one of the following language exams as proof of English proficiency:

Exam score results must be dated within two years of the intended start date.

2. Language School: Conditional Admission to CIA

Conditional (or provisional) admission means that there are still terms that need to be met before your CIA acceptance can be finalized, in this case: English skills. If you do not have the skills to successfully complete a language exam, you may select a conditional admission pathway to CIA. CIA works with the following language schools:

The process to apply for conditional admission is as follows:

  1. Apply to CIA using our online application form.
  2. Submit all application materials along with an email to [email protected] indicating your intention to study English at one of our approved schools. Please indicate which partner school in your email.
  3. If you meet our academic admissions criteria, you will be issued a letter indicating your provisional acceptance.
  4. Apply to one of the language schools listed above.
  5. Upon completion of your course of study at the language school, send CIA your certificate of completion or transcript.
  6. Students who complete language programs are expected to enroll at CIA on the next available entry date.

3. Proof of English Waiver Policy

All international applicants whose education has been primarily outside the United States of America must provide objective evidence of proficiency in the English language as indicated with our above requirements. However, the following exceptions apply:

  • Applicants who have received a score of A, B, or C (6–9) on the GCE O-Level, A-Level, GCSE, or IGCSE English Language (First Language) exam within the past two years.
  • Applicants who have taken IB English Lang and Lit, SL/HL, within the past two years and with a minimum score of 5.
  • Applicants who have studied in U.S. accredited high schools or universities with grades of C or higher in (non-ESL) English courses. Must have studied in the U.S. within two years of the intended start date. Transcripts will be reviewed by the Admissions Office to determine eligibility.
  • Applicants whose educational curriculum at a foreign high school or university was taught entirely in the English language. The transcript must indicate English as the language of instruction, or a signed and stamped letter from the school indicating that English was the language of instruction must be sent to the Admissions Office.
  • Applicants primarily educated in English in the following countries/territories:
AnguillaGhana*Nigeria*
Antigua and BarbudaGibraltarSierra Leone
AustraliaGrenadaSingapore*
BahamasGuernseySouth Africa
BarbadosGuyanaSt. Helena
BelizeIrelandSt. Kitts and Nevis
BermudaIsle of ManSt. Lucia
BotswanaJamaicaSt. Vincent and the Grenadines
British Virgin IslandsJerseyTanzania
Canada (except Quebec)Kenya*Trinidad and Tobago
Cayman IslandsLesotho*Turks and Caicos Islands
DominicaLiberiaUganda*
Eswatini (Swaziland)*Malawi*United Kingdom
Falkland IslandsMicronesiaUnited States Territories
FijiMontserratZambia
Gambia, TheNew ZealandZimbabwe
*English language proficiency test only waived for applicants from English language educational systems.

Any questions regarding a waiver of the English language proficiency requirement can be submitted to [email protected].

The Culinary Institute of American reserves the right to require evidence of English language proficiency for all applicants, the adequacy of which shall be at the sole discretion of the CIA Admissions Office.

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Contact Us

Kellie Fasano
International Admissions Counselor
[email protected]
845-451-1568

Assists students from East Asia Pacific and the Western Hemisphere.

Amanda Stevens
Assistant Director—International Admissions
[email protected]
845-451-1566

Assists students from Middle East North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South-Central Asia, and Europe-Eurasia

Contact Amanda if you are an agent or international recruitment vendor, or if you would like to schedule a promotional presentation.

Contact Us

Amanda Stevens

Assistant Director—International Admissions


Specializes in East Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Eurasia, and Saudi Arabia.

Contact Amanda if you are an agent or international recruitment vendor, or if you would like to schedule a promotional presentation.