Because of the importance of English, English proficiency is an admission requirement and not merely a prerequisite. This means that no PhD in Religion application will be reviewed or accepted without proof of passing an English Language exam. AIIAS accepts the scores of standardized English language tests, including TOEFL iBT or IELTS. AIIAS requires a TOEFL iBT score of 79, or an IELTS score of 6.5 to be allowed to submit your application.

Here are some recommendations to help you pass this admission requirement.

A. Ideally, study English in your home country.

The advantages are plentiful:

1. It will likely be less expensive to do this in your home country. Under most circumstances, you can continue working at your current job or you can find work to sustain you financially. At AIIAS you (or your spouse) will not have an opportunity for employment, either part-time or full-time.
2. Language acquisition takes time. It takes years of study to feel comfortable speaking and writing in a different language. This is best done before arriving at AIIAS.
3. For most students, learning English is at personal expense. You are ineligible for scholarships during this time. If you are a sponsored student, most sponsorship programs do not support you until all admission requirements and pre-requisites have been fulfilled.

B. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to accomplish the English proficiency requirement before you arrive on campus:

1. In most countries you can find some avenue to study English locally. English courses may be offered at a local university, at evening school, or by a private tutor.
2. Alternatively, there are many services on the internet to assist you in learning English. Programs are also available in CD or mp3 formats (e.g., Rosetta Stone).

C. In the event that you cannot complete the English proficiency requirements in your home country, the AIIAS English Center does offer the services to support students in gaining the necessary English skills.

1. The AIIAS English Center offers English for all levels of students. You may enter the English Center at the beginning of any term (five times a year). You will initially be assessed and be placed in the appropriate skill level. Regular assessments are conducted to advance you as your language skills develop.
2. Carefully consider how much time it will take for you to complete the English requirements. The English Center will use your most recent exam scores to give you a rough estimate of how many semesters it might take you to reach the required level. This is only an estimate though, as each individual learns English at a different pace. Multiple factors can quickly alter this estimate.
3. Please be generous in setting the amount of time that you may need to meet your English requirement. If you do not achieve the necessary test scores by June you will have to wait until June the following year before you can enter your program.