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, and there have been some recent changes to English language requirements as a result of coronavirus. 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
|
7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in speaking, reading, listening and 6.5 in writing
|
|
TOEFL |
Overall score of 80 or above, with at least 17 in listening, 17 in writing, 18 in reading and 20 in speaking |
|
Cambridge C1 Advanced |
Overall score of 169+ with minimum 162 in each component |
|
Cambridge C2 proficiency |
Overall score of 169+ with minimum 162 in each component |
|
Pearson Test of English Academic |
Overall score of 56 or above with a minimum of 51 in each component
|
|
NCUK English Language Test |
Overall score of 6.0 or above with a minimum 5.5 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 |
|
IGCSE |
C in reading and writing, plus 1 in listening, 2 in speaking. All four components (listening, writing, speaking, reading) must be examined and detailed on the results slip
|
|
IGCSE |
An A in reading and writing, plus A in listening, 2/B in speaking. All four components (listening, writing, speaking, reading) must be examined and detailed on the results slip
|
|
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English |
ISEII at distinction with distinction in all sub-tests |
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: Nursing
University: Centennial College
|
English Language Test |
Score |
|
IELTS |
6.5 |
|
TOEFL iBT |
83-87 |
|
Canadian Academic English Language |
60 |
|
Pearson Test of English |
60 |
|
Cambridge English |
180+ 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: MBA
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 |
Overall score of 70, no less than 60 in any component |
|
Pearson Academic Test of English |
59 |
|
Cambridge English Test |
Overall score of 176 with no language score less than 169 |
|
English Language Evaluation (Fanshaw) |
A minimum score of 75% in all sections |
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 |
|
TOEFL |
6.0 plus no band lower than 5.5 |
|
TOEFL iBT |
80 with 21 in writing |
|
Duolingo
(Excluding BTeaching, Bed, GradDipT, BSW & LLB)
|
100: Undergraduate 110: Postgraduate
|
|
C1 Advanced |
169 with no component below 162 |
|
C2 Proficiency |
169 with no component below 162 |
|
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) |
C1 Expert with an overall pass and no less than pass in each skill |
|
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
|
|
TOEFL PBT |
A minimum score of 550 |
|
English for Academic purposes |
Level 2, minimum grade C+ |
|
Cambridge English Advanced |
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
|
|
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 – internet-based |
79 with no component lower than 17 |
|
TOEFL – paper-based |
550 with no component lower than 52 |
|
*Provisional admission – internet-based |
60-79 |
|
*Provisional admission – paper-based |
500-549 |
|
IELTS |
6.5 + |
|
*Provisional admission |
6.0 |
|
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) |
53 with no lower than 48 in each component |
|
Provisional (PTE) |
Overall score 46+ |
|
SAT exam, ACT exam & Michigan State University English Language Test |
See university website. |
** 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: Aviation
University: Northcentral University
|
English Language Test |
Score |
|
TOEFL – internet-based |
79 |
|
TOEFL – paper-based |
550 |
|
IELTS |
6.5 |
|
Pearson Test of English |
53 |
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