First-Year Academic Requirements for Admission
First-year applicants must meet the minimum course requirements listed below to be eligible for admission to UW–Madison.
Required Coursework
An applicant’s high school record should demonstrate both rigor and breadth in the types of coursework they pursue. Competitive applicants often take additional credits beyond the minimum requirements in the core subject areas, including the most challenging advanced-level courses offered at or through their school in as many areas as possible, while maintaining a strong GPA.
| Subject Area | Minimum Requirement |
| English | 4 years |
| Math* | 3 years |
| Social Science | 3 years |
| Natural Science | 3 years |
| Electives** | 4 years |
| Total Units | 17 credits |
Note: For trimester schools, two trimesters is considered one year/credit. One trimester is considered 0.5 years/credits.
*Math requirement includes at least one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced math with algebra or geometry prerequisites. If an applicant takes any of these courses in middle school, that will count toward the requirement. Courses that will not fulfill this requirement include statistics, business math, and computer classes.
**Taking two years of the same world language in high school is highly recommended, as this can fulfill the world language requirement as a student at UW–Madison.
Students who do not fulfill the university world language requirement with high school work will be required to do so as a student at UW–Madison.
To meet the requirement in high school, world language credit must be on the student’s high school transcript as credit earned at an accredited institution. Online language programs or applications such as Rosetta Stone will not be accepted.
American Sign Language (ASL) may be accepted if it is taken through the student’s school and is reflected on an official transcript.
Students who are not native English language speakers can satisfy world language with an official transcript verifying their education in that language. If they were educated in their native language through grade seven, they will receive two units of world language. Non-native English language speakers who were educated in their native language through grade eight will be awarded four units.
English Language Proficiency
First-year applicants educated in non-English speaking countries must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (DET) score, unless English was the primary language of instruction in all four years of secondary school. Applicants must meet the minimum required score for admission consideration.
| Exam | Minimum Required Score |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 115+ |
| IELTS | 6.5+ |
| TOEFL iBT | Test date on or before 1/20/26: 80 Test date 1/21/26 or later: 4.5 |