Exact English test score requirements for Australia, Canada, UK, USA, and New Zealand universities and visa applications in 2025.
English language test requirements vary significantly by country, university, and visa type. This comprehensive guide covers the exact IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL scores required for each major study destination in 2025 — for both university admission and visa applications.
Australia — English Test Requirements 2025
Visa Requirements (Subclass 500)
| Test | Minimum Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 5.5 overall (no band below 5.0) | For most courses |
| PTE Academic | 42 overall (no component below 36) | Widely accepted |
| TOEFL iBT | 46 overall | Less common |
| Cambridge C1/C2 | 162 overall | Accepted by most unis |
University Admission (Undergraduate)
| University | IELTS | PTE |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | 58 (no component below 50) |
| ANU | 6.5 overall | 58 overall |
| UNSW | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | 64 overall |
| University of Sydney | 6.5 overall | 64 overall |
| Monash University | 6.0 overall | 50 overall |
Canada — English Test Requirements 2025
SDS Stream (Faster Processing)
SDS requires IELTS Academic with minimum 6.0 in EACH band (not just overall). PTE is not accepted for SDS. This is a strict requirement with no exceptions.
University Admission
| University | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 6.5 overall | 100 overall | 65 overall |
| UBC | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | 90 overall | 65 overall |
| McGill | 6.5 overall | 90 overall | 62 overall |
| University of Waterloo | 6.5 overall | 90 overall | 63 overall |
UK — English Test Requirements 2025
UK Student Visa (UKVI Approved Tests Only)
- IELTS UKVI Academic: minimum 5.5 overall (4.0 each component for pre-sessional)
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 72 overall
- PTE Academic UKVI: minimum 42 overall
- Cambridge B2 First or C1 Advanced: minimum 162
For UK visas, you must take the UKVI version of IELTS or PTE — not the standard version. The UKVI test is taken at an approved test centre and costs slightly more.
Top UK University Requirements
| University | IELTS | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford | 7.0 (no band below 6.5) | 110 overall |
| Cambridge | 7.5 (no band below 7.0) | 110 overall |
| Imperial College | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | 92 overall |
| UCL | 6.5 (no band below 6.0) | 92 overall |
| Edinburgh | 6.5 overall | 92 overall |
USA — English Test Requirements 2025
The USA primarily uses TOEFL iBT for university admissions. IELTS is accepted by most universities but TOEFL remains the standard. PTE has limited acceptance at US universities.
| University | TOEFL iBT | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | 90 (recommended 100+) | 7.0 |
| Harvard | 80 minimum | 6.5 |
| Stanford | 89 minimum | 7.0 |
| University of Michigan | 84 minimum | 6.5 |
| Purdue University | 77 minimum | 6.5 |
Which Test Should You Take?
| If You're Applying To | Recommended Test | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Australia only | PTE Academic | Faster results, AI scoring, widely accepted |
| Canada (SDS) | IELTS Academic | Mandatory for SDS stream |
| UK only | IELTS UKVI | Required for visa application |
| USA only | TOEFL iBT | Standard test for US universities |
| Multiple countries | IELTS Academic | Accepted everywhere |
Take a free diagnostic test before deciding between IELTS and PTE. Many students naturally perform better in one format. Credence offers free diagnostic tests for both — book yours today.
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