Searching for universities can feel overwhelming at times and you might find yourself lost in the ether of the internet. That’s why we’re here to guide you through the process.
In this article, we focus on the English language requirements for popular subjects and institutions in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA to give you a sense of what is required for entry.
English language proficiency results are an important factor when applying to a university abroad. Use the charts below to find out which English tests are accepted by universities around the world and the corresponding scores you need.
We’ve primarily looked at undergraduate degree requirements here so make sure you check the university websites for postgraduate English language requirements, as these may differ.
UK
Subject: Nursing
University: University of Sheffield
English Test |
Required score |
IELTS
|
6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in speaking, reading, listening and writing |
TOEFL |
Overall score of 88 or above, with at least 19 in listening, 19 in writing, 20 in reading and 22 in speaking |
Cambridge C1 Advanced |
Overall score of 176+ with minimum 169 in each component |
Cambridge C2 proficiency |
Overall score of 176+ with minimum 169 in each component |
Pearson Test of English Academic |
Overall score of 61 or above with a minimum of 56 in each component |
NCUK English Language Test |
Overall score of B or above with a minimum of C in each component |
The University of Sheffield will be provisionally accepting the IELTS Indicator test from July 1st 2020. If you want to find out more about the IELTS Indicator you can check out our comprehensive guide.
Subject: Biomedical Engineering
University: Glasgow University
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
Overall score 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all components |
TOEFL iBT |
Overall score of 90; Reading: 20 Listening: 19 Speaking: 19 Writing: 23 |
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English |
Overall score 176: No component less than 169 |
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English |
Overall score 176: no component less than 169 |
Pearson Test of English, Academic test |
Overall score 60; no component less than 59 |
Glasgow International College English Language (and other foundation providers) |
65% |
IGCSE English or ESOL 0522/0500 |
Grade C |
SQA National 5 English or ESOL |
Grade B |
Subject: Physiotherapy BSc Hons
University: Coventry University
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
Overall score 7.0 with no components lower than 6.5 + any country-specific requirements |
If you’re unsure about the difference between IELTS and TOEFL, you can use our guide on the subject to help you decide which is most suited to you. Find out about exam structures and scoring for both.
Canada
Subject: Actuarial Science
University: York University
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
6.5 |
TOEFL iBT |
88 |
Canadian Academic English Language Assessment |
60 |
Pearson Test of English |
60 |
Cambridge English Language Assessment (CAE, CPE) |
176+ on C1 Advanced and C2 proficiency |
You might not reach the required English language score that you need for university but not to worry, as you can study a pre-sessional English course to prepare for your studies. Find out more about pre-sessional English courses.
Subject: Accounting
University: Fanshawe College
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
Overall score of 6.5 with no component less than 6.0 |
TOEFL iBT |
88 |
Canadian Academic English Language Test |
Overall score of 70, no less than 60 in any component |
Pearson Academic Test of English |
59 |
Cambridge English Test (FCE/CAE/CPE) |
Overall score of 176 with no language score less than 169 |
Duolingo English Test |
Overall score of 120 with no score lower than 105 |
IELTS and the Student Direct Stream (SDS)
While English language requirements vary with Canadian universities and their programmes, thanks to recent updates, international students applying to study in Canada through the Student Direct Stream (SDS) visa programme are only required to have an IELTS Academic Score of 6.0 or equivalent to be eligible for SDS processing.
Although you still have to fulfil the English language requirement of the university of your choice, it is now undoubtedly easier to achieve your study dreams in Canada with IELTS via the SDS programme.
Australia
Subject: Nursing
University: Edith Cowan University
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
Overall score of 7.0 plus minimum score of 7.0 in each component |
Occupational English Test |
A minimum score of B in each component |
Pearson English Test Academic |
Minimum overall score of 65 in each component |
TOEFL iBT |
A minimum total score of 94 24 listening 24 reading 27 writing 23 speaking |
Subject: Dentistry
University: Griffith University
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
Overall score of 7 with no component lower than 7 |
Occupational English Test |
A minimum score of B in each component |
Pearson Test of English Academic |
A minimum score of 65 with no score less than 58 |
TOEFL iBT |
Overall score of 94 24 listening 24 reading 27 writing 23 speaking |
Inspired to start practising your English language skills? Find sample questions and model answers for the IELTS exam to boost your score.
New Zealand
Subject: Psychology
University: University of Waikato
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
6.0 plus no band lower than 5.5 |
TOEFL iBT |
80 with 21 in writing |
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) |
80 |
C1 Advanced |
169 with no component below 162 |
C2 Proficiency |
169 with no component below 162 |
Duolingo English Test (DET) |
105 |
Pearson English Test Academic |
50 with no component less than 42 |
Subject: Law (undergraduate)
University: University of Canterbury
English Language Test |
Score |
IELTS |
6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all components |
TOEFL iBT |
Overall score of 80 19 reading 19 writing 19 listening |
LanguageCert |
B2 Communicator (LRWS) overall with High Pass |
English for Academic Purposes |
Level 2, minimum grade C+ |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
Minimum overall score of 169 with minimum 162 in all components |
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
Overall score of 50 and no individual scores lower than 42 |
New Zealand Certificates in English Language |
Level 4 - Academic endorsement |
FluentIQ |
Overall score 8/10 with no less than 7 in each component |
These scores might seem confusing, so if you’re feeling stuck, use our other guide on understanding English language test scores for an in-depth examination of the different tests and associated grades.
USA
Subject: Food Science and Technology
University: Michigan State University
English Language Test |
Score |
TOEFL iBT (Regular admission) |
79 with no component lower than 17 |
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (Regular admission) |
79 with no component lower than 17 |
TOEFL iBT (Provisional admission) |
60-78 |
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (Provisional admission)
|
60-78 |
IELTS (Regular admission) |
6.5+ |
IELTS (Provisional admission) |
6.0 |
Pearson Test of English Academic (Regular admission) |
53 with no lower than 48 in each component |
Pearson Test of English Academic (Provisional admission) |
Overall score 46+ |
GCSE |
6 or higher in English Language and English Literature |
*Students admitted to the university with provisional scores must take the Michigan State University English test on arrival to confirm eligibility to enrol in academic courses.
Subject: Civil Engineering
University: California State University Northridge
English Language Test |
Score |
TOEFL – Internet-based |
61 |
TOEFL – Paper-based |
500 |
IELTS |
6.0 |
Pearson Test of English Academic |
50 |
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