Intensive English Language Program (IELP)

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Learn English at a Top State University

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) is designed for international students who want to improve their English language skills.

The University at Albany — known for excellence, impact and affordability — is located in New York State's capital.

The IELP has many great options and, after successful completion, many students enter one of UAlbany’s degree programs.

 

Five students smile and pose for a selfie group photo on UAlbany's Uptown Campus.

 

The Intensive English Language Program Advantage

  • Conditional admission with language proficiency exam waiver
  • Small class sizes
  • All teachers have master’s degrees or higher
  • Classes on English for specific purposes
  • Eight- and four-week sessions
  • Social and cultural activities
  • Language clubs
  • Located in New York State, two hours away from New York City

The IELP, established in 1978, has trained more than 10,000 ESL students. The IELP is a member of the American Association of Intensive English Programs and University and College Intensive English Programs. 
 

IELP Annual Reports
IELP Annual Reports

Founded in 1978, the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) offers academic and professional English language instruction to help students achieve their language goals and experience American culture at UAlbany.

We undertake this Annual Report to share what the IELP is doing, to monitor recent trends and to measure ourselves year-over-year, according to key metrics. 

Contact the IELP
Science Library G40

1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
United States

Email
[email protected]
Phone
518-591-8172
Fax
518-591-8171
Office Hours

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday

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How does the IELP work?

Classes are offered in 8-week sessions and 4-week sessions — with five 8-week sessions and ten 4-week sessions offered each year.

Students take a placement test and enroll in the number of sessions necessary to achieve their desired English language level. Currently, we offer five levels of English instruction: Intermediate 1, 2 and 3, and Advanced 1 and 2.

Full-time students study 20 hours per week, which includes two core classes and one elective course. Part-time students can choose to study 4 to 16 hours per week. 

Core English Courses (16 hours per week) 

  • Listening & Speaking (8 hours per week)
  • Reading & Writing (8 hours per week) 

Elective English Courses (4 hours per week)

Elective courses may include Business English, English for Sustainable Development, Academic Vocabulary, Conversational English, Grammar, American Film and more.

Sample Weekly Schedule
Sample Weekly Schedule

Here is a sample weekly schedule for a full-time student. Actual classes, times and dates may differ.
 

Monday

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Reading & Writing

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Lunch Break

12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Listening & Speaking

Tuesday

9:15 to 11:00 a.m.: Reading & Writing

11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Elective

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Lunch Break

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Listening & Speaking

Wednesday

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Reading & Writing

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Lunch Break

12:30 to 2:30 p.m.: Listening & Speaking

Thursday

10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Elective

12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Lunch Break

1:30 to 3:30 p.m.: Listening & Speaking

Friday

9:15 to 11:30 a.m.: Reading & Writing

11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m.: Conversation Club

Afternoon: Activities

 

Four students walk through a green patch of grass between gardens of flowering trees and shrubs.


 

Choose Your Pathway

No matter which option you choose, we invite you to apply now. 
 

pathway
Fast-track Pathway with Conditional Admission
Fast-track Pathway with Conditional Admission

The fastest way for conditionally admitted IELP students to enter the University is to complete the IELP successfully at the Advanced 2 level. This is the most common pathway through the IELP and into UAlbany.

Students may also receive pre-placement in the IELP at the Advanced Level with submitted scores of 5.5 on the IELTS or 61 on the iBT.

Conditionally admitted students can finish the IELP in just one semester and then enter UAlbany for academic studies.

Review the Conditional Admission to UAlbany & Albany Law School section for more information.

Guided Pathway
Guided Pathway

Start a UAlbany academic program while an IELP student.

Advanced IELP students can take a for-credit, academic course for one semester with assistance, support and guidance from IELP faculty.  

Contact [email protected] for more information. 

Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent Enrollment

Another popular pathway is for IELP students to be concurrently enrolled.

Concurrent Enrollment allows non-degree students to take IELP classes and UAlbany academic courses at the same time to experience the American higher educational system.

Contact [email protected] for more information. 

Conditional Admission to UAlbany & Albany Law School

conditional-admission
Undergraduate Programs
Undergraduate Programs

Students who successfully complete the IELP are not required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS score for admission to all undergraduate programs.

To apply for conditional admission as an undergraduate student, you must complete both an undergraduate international admissions application and an IELP application.

Visit the International Admissions website for more information.

Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs

Some UAlbany graduate programs offer conditional admission to students who successfully complete the IELP, if all other admissions standards are met.

Please contact Director of Graduate Recruitment and Marketing Soha Acosta at [email protected] to see if your program participates in conditional admission with IELP. Visit the Graduate School website for more information.

Additionally, Albany Law School offers a conditional admission option for international lawyers who meet all admission requirements except the minimum English language requirement for regular admission to the law school. 

IELP Levels & Language Proficiency Test Score Equivalencies
IELP Levels & Language Proficiency Test Score Equivalencies
IELP LeveliBT TOEFLIELTSDuoLingo
Intermediate 132-424.570
Intermediate 244-525.075
Intermediate 353-60None80
Advanced 161-645.585
Advanced 2NoneNoneNone


Note: Students with a 61 iBT, 5.5 IELTS or 85 DuoLingo can place into the Advanced 1 Level of the IELP. Students with a 32 iBT, 4.5 IELTS or 70 DuoLingo can place into the Intermediate 1 Level of the IELP.

Visit these websites to access test score requirements for academic program admissions:

Session Dates & Cost

 

Session Dates

Classes are offered in 8-week sessions and 4-week sessions — with five 8-week sessions and ten 4-week sessions offered each year.  
 

SessionDates for 8-weekDates for 4-week 1Dates for 4-week 2
Spring B 2026March 23 to May 12, 2026March 23 to April 22, 2026April 13 to May 12, 2026
Summer 2026May 26 to July 17, 2026    May 26 to June 24, 2026June 22 to July 17, 2026
Fall A 2026August 19 to October 14, 2026August 19 to September 18, 2026September 14 to October 14, 2026
Fall B 2026October 19 to December 11, 2026October 19 to November 18, 2026November 11 to December 11, 2026

Note:  

  • Please arrive at least one day before your session's start date.
  • Each session will start with one to three days of testing and orientation.
  • Session dates are subject to change. 

 

Session Costs 

Session TypeIELP Program Fee (Tuition)IELP Student Services FeeUniversity Comprehensive Service Fee
Total Cost
8-week$2,390$225$377$2,992
4-week$1,793$169$188.50$2,150.50


Note:

 

Billing

Please use the University’s E-Pay portal or use other official payment methods to pay your IELP bill. Sign into E-Pay.

You can set up an authorized user to allow your parent, guardian or another trusted person to view and pay your student account balance.

Contact Student Accounts with any billing or payment questions.

Student Life & Activities

For more than 180 years, UAlbany has been fueled by a unique mix of academic excellence, internationally recognized research and world-class faculty.  

Learn more about UAlbany, about student life at UAlbany and about the Capital Region.

 

A double on-campus bedroom, with two twin beds, two desks and two chairs. One student sits at a desk and another sits on the bed, smiling and laughing together.

 

Housing

You are responsible for making your own housing arrangements, which includes applying for housing well in advance of your arrival date. Explore your housing options.

Campus meal plans are available for students who live on or off campus.

 

Activities & Trips

At UAlbany, students have the chance to enjoy beauty, diversity, history, culture and world-famous places.

To facilitate this, the IELP hosts social and cultural activities and events for students. These activities help students learn and use the language, meet new friends, explore new and exciting places, experience American culture and become part of a community.

Every eight weeks, IELP students enjoy an all-day field trip to destinations such as New York City and Boston.  

Weekly IELP activities include local field trips to museums, music festivals, nature preserves, and the New York State Capitol. Students enjoy cultural activities such as apple picking, hiking and pumpkin carving.  

IELP students also join American students at UAlbany sporting events and club activities.  

 

Language Clubs & Services

IELP students use English outside of class and are surrounded by opportunities to make new friends, practice English, and meet American students. Options include:

  • Conversation Club
  • Conversation Partners
  • TOEFL Preparation Workshops

 

Exploring the Capital Region & Beyond

Students get to experience all four seasons in Albany: The leaves change color in the autumn, snow falls in the winter, flowers bloom in the spring and the sun shines in the summer.  

New York State is world-famous for culture, business, entertainment, international diplomacy and world-class universities. UAlbany is within reach of exceptional skiing, snowboarding and hiking in the Adirondacks, Catskills and Berkshires. New York City also hosts several of the world’s most-visited tourist attractions.

Many UAlbany graduates find jobs right here in the Capital Region, which has vast opportunities in government, technology, business, healthcare and education.

Students enjoy many popular destinations and activities in the area, such as:

  • Lake George
  • Hudson River cruises
  • Adirondack Park
  • Catskill Mountains
  • National Basketball Hall of Fame
  • National Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Thacher State Park
  • Summer concerts in local parks

Pre-arrival Instructions

 

Confirm, Defer or Cancel your Enrollment

Confirm your enrollment
Confirm your enrollment

Please follow these steps to confirm your IELP enrollment:

  1. Apply for an F-1 student visa. Your I-20 will be emailed to you.
  2. Once your visa appointment is scheduled, email [email protected] to report the date and time of the appointment.
  3. Once your visa is approved, email [email protected] to report the approval.
Defer your enrollment
Defer your enrollment

If you’re unable to complete the IELP during the session dates for which you were accepted, you may defer your acceptance to a later session. You may only defer twice.

You must request a deferral before your current I-20 expires. I-20s automatically expire 30 days after the program start date listed on the form.

To defer, please follow these instructions:

  1. Pay the processing fee for deferrals.
  2. If the previous bank statement you sent IELP is now more than six months old, email an updated bank statement showing at least $7,400 to [email protected].

You will receive an updated I-20 within five to 10 business days. Follow the instructions above to confirm your enrollment for the new session dates. 

Cancel your enrollment
Cancel your enrollment

If you choose not to enroll, please email [email protected] to cancel your application, acceptance and/or enrollment.

Pre-arrival Tasks

Please complete the following tasks after you confirm your enrollment and before you arrive at UAlbany.

 

Welcome Activities

All new IELP students must attend our welcome activities, including registration, placement testing and orientation.  

You will receive an email with instructions on where and where to report on the first day. We’ll hand out schedules for the rest of the week upon arrival.

Please bring the following items on the first day:

  • Your passport and visa
  • Your I-20
  • Required health forms and documentation
  • Financial support letter

Questions? Contact [email protected].

Special Programs

 

Four students with backpacks walk through the Massry Center for Business, which is a glass modern building on UAlbany's Uptown Campus.

 

Custom English-language Programs

The University at Albany's Intensive English Language Program (IELP) works with universities, businesses, government agencies, teachers, researchers and students to offer custom programs.

Programs are designed to meet each group’s goals and objectives, with language, culture and academic services available for delivery online, in person in New York State or in person around the world.

If you're interested in a custom program, please contact IELP's Acting Director Cathleen McCarthy at [email protected]. 
 

Airline Hospitality Program
Airline Hospitality Program

The IELP provides an intensive language and culture program with a focus on airline hospitality English through classroom learning, experiential learning, task-based projects, internships, poster presentations, hands-on training, real-life scenario exercises, and field-based learning trips, including excursions to local, regional and international airports. The classes, internships and activities can be customized for your group.

UAlbany's Uptown Campus is located in Albany, the capital of New York State. Local partners for this program could include JetBlue Airlines, Albany International Airport and Discover Albany.

Core classes and electives for the Airline Hospitality Program including Listening & Speaking, Airline Hospitality English, Airline Hospitality English Internship and Tourism English.

The Airline Hospitality English Program can also include training in safety and emergencies, including on topics such as:

  • Airport safety and passenger security, including tours of the control tower, airport perimeter and security operations
  • Emergency medical services, including hands-on instruction in CPR and first aid
  • Certified therapy dogs and how they assist passengers

Airport internships can be arranged, with participants volunteering as Airport Ambassadors for at least two hours per week. Airport Ambassadors play a key role in assisting passengers locate check-in desks, visitor and information desks, concourses, business centers, community rooms, interfaith prayer rooms and other important areas.

The Airline Hospitality program arranges visits to both regional and international airports, such as Albany International Airport, JFK International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport.

Business Executive Programs: Professional Certificates from the International Business School (IBS)
Business Executive Programs: Professional Certificates from the International Business School (IBS)

Earn a professional certificate from the IELP's Business Executive Programs, which is offered in partnership with the International Business School (IBS) Americas International College. Study business topics with UAlbany professors and improve your business English with our English as a Second Language (ESL) specialists.

This program is a good match for students with a major in business and young international managers and is located at UAlbany, in Albany, New York. The three-week program is offered in summer and winter.

Participants gain practical insight into the American socioeconomic environment, deepen their knowledge of management through training sessions with UAlbany business professors and visits to local companies, and earn a certificate by actively taking part in 90% or more of the project activities.

The program has three components:

  • Business seminars and workshops
  • Business English study
  • Company visits (such as Plug Power, CDTA, Broadview Credit Union, Fastenal, Vicarious Vision and Wealth Advisory Group LLC)

Participants in the Executive Management Program can earn certificates in:

  • Marketing
  • Project Management
  • Financial Management
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Business Sustainability

Participants in the Business English Program can earn a certificate in Business English.

Learn more by visiting the IBS Americas website. 

Online Programs for Groups & Cohorts
Online Programs for Groups & Cohorts

The IELP has conducted online ESL training for students, teachers and medical professionals from Syria and Iran. Available English language levels for the online program include:

  • Low Intermediate English
  • Intermediate English
  • High Intermediate English
  • Low Advanced English
  • Advanced English

All levels focus on reading, listening, communication and writing. All participants must take an online English language placement test.

We offer online ESL for groups upon request. Courses can be customized for different dates and times. Here are just a few of the courses we have offered:

  • English for UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Language, Culture, and Leadership
  • Presentation Skills
  • Academic Listening & Speaking
  • Academic Vocabulary
  • American Culture & Film
  • Business English
  • Conversational English
Programs for College & University Groups
Programs for College & University Groups

College and university group programs can be customized to meet areas of interest, special features, time frames, budgets and groups of all sizes. Some of our unique options include:

English for specific purposes

Specific field trips

Community service projects

Company visits

Cultural exploration of the northeastern United States

Customized capstone projects and activities

Homestay or on-campus housing

All participants who successfully complete one of our special programs receive certificates of completion from the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY).

Training Programs for Teachers: Intensive English Teacher Training
Training Programs for Teachers: Intensive English Teacher Training

With experience in providing top-level teacher training to university professors and English language teachers from China, Indonesia, France, Iraq, Egypt, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Rwanda, Togo and Vietnam, we serve real educators' needs and help them develop necessary skills. Here is a sample of group programs we can provide:

  • The Counterpart Program: Short training programs for professors of any discipline area with a focus on English for publications, presentations, and teaching subject matter, along with counterpart meetings with UAlbany professors and the opportunity to watch UAlbany professors teach. 
  • Teacher Training for Teachers: Workshops and seminars include:
    • Key Concepts of Language Teaching
    • Teaching Approaches, Methods and Techniques
    • Best Practices for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
    • Teacher Training Development
    • Communicative Language Teaching
    • Classroom Management
    • Cultural Patterns of Language Learning
Groups with a Purpose: English for Specific Purposes (ESP)
Groups with a Purpose: English for Specific Purposes (ESP)

In addition to teaching general English, the IELP specializes in special group programs that focus on areas like English for UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), English for Business, English & Service Learning, and more.

Engaging ESP field trips can be arranged. Some of our unique ESP program features include:

  • English for your specific purpose
  • Specific ESP field trips
  • Research and service projects
  • Company and university visits
  • Cultural exploration of the northeastern United States
  • Customized capstone projects and activities
  • Homestay or on-campus housing 
Group Programs for Government & Business
Group Programs for Government & Business

UAlbany has long-standing successful relationships with Ministries of Education and companies around the world. We work one-on-one with higher education ministers, administrators and executives to create custom programs for employees, educators and management teams.

Short Courses during Summer & Winter
Short Courses during Summer & Winter

The IELP offers short courses during the summer and winter sessions. Courses are subject to change depending on enrollment.