English Language Tests for Graduate Students

Many graduate programs require applicants to take an English language test, such as the TOEFL or IELTS. Find out what to expect, and what support is available.

Why test English? Well, the top universities around the world generally teach their graduate programs in English and although many other very well-regarded institutions also teach in their local language, it is English that has become the modern currency in international education. 

Universities offering graduate programs in English look for excellent ability in the language to ensure high academic standards, with discussion-based approaches focusing on the subject and issues at hand, rather than getting caught up in the mechanics of language ability.

In most cases graduate programs are so intellectually intense that there is no time to waste on improving a student’s English language ability at the same time as developing subject-specific knowledge and skills.

Prove your ability

The most common way of demonstrating your English ability is through one of the globally recognized standardized examinations offered by either ETS, who own and administer the TOEFL and TOEIC tests or the University of Cambridge, British Council and IDP Australia consortium that administers the IELTS examination. 

All these tests are recognized by universities all over the world as sufficient to meet their language entry standards - though you should always check with the institution first, to find out which test is preferred. 

Tests can be administered either entirely online or in a more face-to-face environment, depending on the country in which you are taking them. 

Each test is comprised of various parts to test different aspects of your language abilities, such as written, spoken and listening comprehension. Universities tend to look for balanced scores in each of the categories, to ensure incoming students have strengths across the full range of language areas.

What you need

In very general terms, US universities still prefer the TOEFL test to any other, while Australian and UK institutions opt for the IELTS examination. However, such distinctions are now blurring and it is always best to check the individual website of the university you are interested in applying to before you decide which English test to take. 

The scores universities expect vary between institutions, countries and faculties. Arts, humanities and social science programs usually require scores of between 6.0 and 7.5 in IELTS, 620 and above in the written TOEFL test and 260 and above in the TOEFL computer-based test. 

Science and engineering programs tend to require slightly lower scores, with 6.0 and 6.5 being common in the IELTS, 550 and higher in the written TOEFL test and 213 and above in the TOEFL computer-based test. 

PhD and research programs tend to require higher English scores than taught master's programs.

Getting to the right level

If your English ability is not quite at the standard that your prospective university expects, additional preparation ahead of your program is often available. 

Universities in most countries, but in particular Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK, routinely offer pre-sessional English language programs of between one and three months, depending on your individual ability, offering you intensive English preparatory courses to help you meet the required entry standards before your program admission is confirmed. 

Such programs tend to offer students the opportunity to come to campus much earlier than other students and learn in the environment they will ultimately be seeking their program in.

Of course, standardized tests can only give you an indication of your abilities with written and spoken English, and universities around the world recognize that often further support may be required even for students with high scores.

When you arrive for your program you will experience a period of adjustment, no matter how good your English ability is, from the kind of language use you are familiar with to how English is used in both a graduate academic and technical context. 

This is by no means an easy thing to master, but top universities support all international students through this process. Many have language centers to help students continue to improve their English language abilities – often in very specific areas such as lecture note taking, dissertation preparation or research language.

• Choosing which English language test to take >