January 19, 2023

Study in the UK, Get There With the TOEFL iBT® Test

If your sights are set on the United Kingdom for your study abroad adventure, you’re not alone! International students comprise almost 20% of the student population in the UK, which boasts over 150 higher education institutions- including some of the best universities in the world. The UK is such a great place to study that it was ranked second in Europe and fifth in the world for studying abroad!

The UK has a global reputation for the excellence and quality of its education, and every university has its own entry requirements. Since English is the de facto official language and is spoken in the vast majority of university programs, non-native speakers will need to prove their proficiency in English. How can you prove your proficiency to go study in the UK? With the TOEFL iBT test.

The TOEFL iBT test is one of the most popular ways to prove your English proficiency and is accepted at all universities in the United Kingdom.

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Where are most international students in the UK from?

Most international students in the UK are from China, but there are also many students from India, the USA, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Italy, France, Germany, Nigeria, and Ireland. Therefore, the vast majority of international students coming to the United Kingdom do not speak English as a first language and must take an English proficiency test like the TOEFL iBT test.

How to use TOEFL iBT scores to study in the UK

If you’re a citizen of a European Union member country, you will need a visa to study in the UK, unless you arrived before 31 December 2020! But don’t worry, the UK government’s student route will help you get there! To use your TOEFL iBT test, just find out if your university of choice accepts a TOEFL iBT score in the application.

I Need a Student Visa to Study in the UK

Although there have been some changes in the visa rules from the UK Home Office, prospective students can still use their TOEFL iBT score to obtain Tier 4 student visas. Though the TOEFL iBT test is not currently on the list of Secure English Language Tests (SELTs), universities will certify your score by making their own assessment of English proficiency in a process called vouching. Universities can then use scores from the TOEFL iBT test to fulfill student visa requirements so that you can study in the UK!

To use your TOEFL iBT score under the vouching provision, the following must be true:

Your chosen UK university accepts the TOEFL iBT test for admissions purposes (100% of UK universities accept the TOEFL iBT test).
Your course of study will be at degree level or higher*
You meet the TOEFL iBT score requirement for university entry and your course of study.
You meet the TOEFL iBT scores at the B2 level set by the Home Office for immigration. These scores are:
- Total: 72
- Reading: 18
- Listening: 17
- Writing: 17
- Speaking: 20

*As a result of COVID-19, some UK universities may accept your TOEFL iBT score at B1 for pre-sessional courses, where progression on to the main degree level course is dependent upon passing the pre-sessional course.

For Pre-sessional Courses – B1 level, the scores required are:

Total: 42
Reading: 4
Listening: 9
Writing: 13
Speaking: 16

Where are TOEFL iBT scores accepted in the UK?

The TOEFL iBT test is accepted for admissions by 100% of universities in the UK, including all Russell Group institutions. Russell Group universities are world-class, research-intensive universities, any of which would make a great choice for your study abroad experience.

Once you’ve confirmed the TOEFL iBT score requirements of your chosen universities (send them an email or give them a call if you’re not sure!), it’s time to register for your TOEFL test!