What TOEFL score do I need for South Africa?

South African universities are largely English-medium; TOEFL is accepted for international-student admission where an English-language test is required (set per institution) — a test is not always needed. (South African universities). Many universities and visa authorities are still updating their thresholds during the 2026–2028 transition — confirm the current figure (and which scale, new 1–6 or old 0–120) on the official source before you rely on it.

Is the new TOEFL 1–6 score the same as the old 0–120?

No. Since 21 January 2026 the overall TOEFL score is the AVERAGE of the four sections on a 1.0–6.0 scale — not the old 0–120 sum. Both may appear on reports during the 2026–2028 transition; there is no exact one-to-one conversion, so check which scale your institution requires.

How long is a TOEFL score valid?

TOEFL results are valid for two years.

🇦🇲 Armenia → 🇿🇦 TOEFL requirements · South Africa · 2026

TOEFL for South Africa from Armenia (2026)

From Armenia, funded study is the goal — and TOEFL is widely accepted for US and university places. Some scholarships specify IELTS, so check each. Here's the honest TOEFL picture for South Africa on the new 1–6 scale.

Coming from Armenia: funded study and which test the scholarship accepts

Named scholarships you may search: Luys Foundation, AGBU scholarships, Fulbright Armenia, Erasmus+ — most accept TOEFL or IELTS, but confirm each programme's accepted tests.
TOEFL is widely accepted for university admission; for any visa or PR step, check that route separately (TOEFL is not accepted for Canada PR or UK visas).
Recognition: ANQA — Armenian National Center for Quality Assurance of Education.

⚠️ TOEFL changed on 21 January 2026

TOEFL changed completely on 21 January 2026 — a new 1.0–6.0 band scale, adaptive Reading and Listening, new Speaking and Writing tasks, about 90 minutes, results in ~72 hours. Any prep from before January 2026 is obsolete. And during the 2026–2028 transition some universities still list old 0–120 requirements — check both.

How the new TOEFL score works

Your overall TOEFL score is now the AVERAGE of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), each scored 1.0–6.0 in half-band steps — not the old 0–120 sum. The scale is CEFR-aligned.

Band 6.0C2 (mastery)
Band 5.0–5.5C1 (advanced)
Band 4.0–4.5B2 (upper-intermediate) — common university target
Band 3.0–3.5B1 (intermediate)

The TOEFL score you need for South Africa

South African universities are largely English-medium; TOEFL is accepted for international-student admission where an English-language test is required (set per institution) — a test is not always needed. (South African universities)

Most universities in South Africa accept TOEFL for admission where an English-language test is required. Globally, TOEFL iBT is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and institutions across over 160 countries. Confirm the exact score your programme needs on its official admissions page.

Study (university): TOEFL accepted by South African universities for international-student admission where an English test applies — set per institution; instruction is largely in English.

Visa: The student visa follows admission; no separate standardised English test.

TOEFL requirements change and vary by university, programme and visa route — always confirm the current figure with the official body before you rely on it. This page is honest guidance, not immigration advice.

How AlmiTOEFL helps

Built for the NEW (Jan 2026) TOEFL — the 1–6 band scale, adaptive Reading/Listening and the new Speaking and Writing tasks. Old-format prep is obsolete; ours isn't.
Honest guidance and AI-scored practice — no inflated band promises, and we send you to the official source for the live requirement.
Original practice material, written from scratch — never copied from ETS.

TOEFL for South Africa — common questions

What TOEFL score do I need for South Africa?: South African universities are largely English-medium; TOEFL is accepted for international-student admission where an English-language test is required (set per institution) — a test is not always needed. (South African universities). Many universities and visa authorities are still updating their thresholds during the 2026–2028 transition — confirm the current figure (and which scale, new 1–6 or old 0–120) on the official source before you rely on it.
Is the new TOEFL 1–6 score the same as the old 0–120?: No. Since 21 January 2026 the overall TOEFL score is the AVERAGE of the four sections on a 1.0–6.0 scale — not the old 0–120 sum. Both may appear on reports during the 2026–2028 transition; there is no exact one-to-one conversion, so check which scale your institution requires.
Can I use TOEFL for South Africa?: Study (university): TOEFL accepted by South African universities for international-student admission where an English test applies — set per institution; instruction is largely in English. Visa: The student visa follows admission; no separate standardised English test.
How long is a TOEFL score valid?: TOEFL results are valid for two years.

Also taking TOEFL for South Africa from:

Practise TOEFL for South Africa on the new 1–6 format

AlmiTOEFL has real practice for all four sections — Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing — with honest AI feedback and a 1.0–6.0 band, plus a full mock test. Original material, built for the 21 Jan 2026 TOEFL.

Practise TOEFL now →See the practice tests

Universities in South Africa (AlmiStudy) →IELTS prep (AlmiPrep) →PTE prep (AlmiPTE) →

Always confirm. TOEFL requirements change and vary by university, programme and visa route — always confirm the current figure with the official body before you rely on it. This page is honest guidance, not immigration advice.

Sources