Leighton expects that all students will be ready to engage and discuss complex topics in their classes and with their peers in order to fulfill the University’s mission on meeting students where they are through accessible, student-centered, quality higher education. We strongly believe that non-native speakers of English bring unique skillsets, a richness in perspectives and cultural diversity, and we value the intellectual and the global perspective they bring to classroom discussion and the University as a whole. All admissions applicants must demonstrate a satisfactory level of English proficiency. To be admitted, non-native English speakers are required to submit scores from any of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS, CPE. Such proficiency is necessary to pursue a full course of study at Leighton University. All non-native speakers of English are required to submit a score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) during the application process.
Non-native speakers who earned degrees from a tertiary-level institution in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Commonwealth Caribbean are exempt from the TOEFL requirement. Non-native speakers of English who have graduated from U.S. high schools must submit TOEFL examination results or a score of 400 or higher on the SAT verbal section. For additional information and a TOEFL application brochure, write to TOEFL, Box 2896, Princeton, N.J. 08540.
Native English speakers are educated entirely in the U.S., English-speaking Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or Commonwealth Caribbean. Applicants who are unsure whether they need to take the TOEFL should contact the University’s Admissions Office.
These proficiency test should be taken early enough so that scores arrive in time for the application deadline. Applicants who are unable to submit their test scores in time should contact the Admissions Office (admissions@leighton-edu.us). In all cases, they should be aware that preference will be given to applicants who have fulfilled the language requirement in time for admission decisions.