Writing Requirement for International Graduate Students
Writing Requirement
What is this requirement?
All international graduate students entering UCLA are required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Exam (ESLPE). Depending on the results, a student may be required to complete up to 2 graduate-level academic writing courses. For an explanation of the requirement, see “English Language Proficiency” in the UCLA Catalog.
Is there any way to waive this requirement?
You are exempt from this requirement if:
- You enter UCLA with a score of 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT or at least a 7.5 overall band score on the IELTS exam. NOTE: You may not retake either exam after enrolling in order to waive the ESLPE or writing requirement. OR
- You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university located in the U.S or another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the medium of instruction, or if you have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution.
PLEASE NOTE: No faculty or administrative staff in Writing Programs has the authority to exempt any students from this requirement. This is a graduation requirement set by the university and any request for an exception to policy should be addressed to Graduate Division, not Writing Programs.
English as a Second Language Placement Exam (ESLPE)
Do I need to take the ESLPE?
All international graduate students are required to take the ESLPE unless they meet one of the exemption criteria listed above. You were notified as part of your admissions offer from the university if you are required to take the ESLPE.
When should I take the ESLPE?
If you are required to take the ESLPE, you should do so before your 1st quarter. Especially if you are in a 9 or 12-month Master’s program, you must not delay this requirement or you risk not graduating on time with your cohort.
What if I missed the ESLPE exam date?
You will need to wait until the next exam. We do not offer individual administrations of the exam.
What are the possible placement results of the ESLPE?
- Pass/Exempt Score: You have satisfied the writing requirement and no further action is needed.
- Placement into ESL 300: This means you are required to take two courses, ESL 300 and ESL 301, in order to graduate. You may not take these courses concurrently so you will need at least 2 quarters to complete the requirement.
- Placement into ESL 301: This means you are required to take one course only, ESL 301, in order to graduate.
Can I retake the ESLPE?
No, you are only permitted to take the ESLPE once.
How do I register for the ESLPE?
You may register for the ESLPE here. To ensure compatibility with your computer, you must complete the Respondus Lockdown Browser practice test at least one week prior to the opening of the testing window. Registration for each exam closes two weeks before the exam window opens.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the ESLPE?
- Leslie Sherwood, ESLPE Exam Coordinator: lsherwood@humnet.ucla.edu
- You can also contact us at wpinfo@humnet.ucla.edu with any questions.
ESL Graduate Writing Courses That Satisfy the Requirement
ESL 300: Intermediate Writing and Communication for International Graduate Students
Lecture, four hours. Enforced requisite: proficiency demonstrated on English as a Second Language Placement Examination. Development of academic reading, writing, and language skills with focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and analysis of discipline-specific research articles, with additional work on fundamental composition techniques, grammar, and editing. S/U or letter grading. (4 units)
ESL 301: High-Intermediate Writing and Communication for International Graduate Students
Lecture, four hours. Enforced requisite: course 300 or proficiency demonstrated on English as a Second Language Placement Examination. Development
of academic writing skills with focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and composition techniques, with additional work on grammar and editing. S/U or letter grading. (4 units)
All international graduate students entering UCLA are required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Exam (ESLPE). Depending on the results, a student may be required to complete up to 2 graduate-level academic writing courses. For an explanation of the requirement, see “English Language Proficiency” in the UCLA Catalog.
You are exempt from this requirement if:
- You enter UCLA with a score of 100 or above on the TOEFL iBT or at least a 7.5 overall band score on the IELTS exam. NOTE: You may not retake either exam after enrolling in order to waive the ESLPE or writing requirement. OR
- You hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university located in the U.S or another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the medium of instruction, or if you have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution.
PLEASE NOTE: No faculty or administrative staff in Writing Programs has the authority to exempt any students from this requirement. This is a graduation requirement set by the university and any request for an exception to policy should be addressed to Graduate Division, not Writing Programs.
All international graduate students are required to take the ESLPE unless they meet one of the exemption criteria listed above. You were notified as part of your admissions offer from the university if you are required to take the ESLPE.
If you are required to take the ESLPE, you should do so before your 1st quarter. Especially if you are in a 9 or 12-month Master’s program, you must not delay this requirement or you risk not graduating on time with your cohort.
You will need to wait until the next exam. We do not offer individual administrations of the exam.
- Pass/Exempt Score: You have satisfied the writing requirement and no further action is needed.
- Placement into ESL 300: This means you are required to take two courses, ESL 300 and ESL 301, in order to graduate. You may not take these courses concurrently so you will need at least 2 quarters to complete the requirement.
- Placement into ESL 301: This means you are required to take one course only, ESL 301, in order to graduate.
No, you are only permitted to take the ESLPE once.
You may register for the ESLPE here. To ensure compatibility with your computer, you must complete the Respondus Lockdown Browser practice test at least one week prior to the opening of the testing window. Registration for each exam closes two weeks before the exam window opens.
- Leslie Sherwood, ESLPE Exam Coordinator: lsherwood@humnet.ucla.edu
- You can also contact us at wpinfo@humnet.ucla.edu with any questions.
Lecture, four hours. Enforced requisite: proficiency demonstrated on English as a Second Language Placement Examination. Development of academic reading, writing, and language skills with focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and analysis of discipline-specific research articles, with additional work on fundamental composition techniques, grammar, and editing. S/U or letter grading. (4 units)
Lecture, four hours. Enforced requisite: course 300 or proficiency demonstrated on English as a Second Language Placement Examination. Development
of academic writing skills with focus on reading comprehension, vocabulary development, and composition techniques, with additional work on grammar and editing. S/U or letter grading. (4 units)