🇬🇧 TOEFL requirements · United Kingdom · 2026
TOEFL is a strong choice for studying in United Kingdom — but one honest heads-up first: TOEFL is NOT on the UK Home Office's Secure English Language Test (SELT) list — UK student and work visas require IELTS for UKVI (or another approved SELT). TOEFL may meet a university's admission bar but not the visa itself. Confirm both.
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 Any prep from before January 2026 is obsolete.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.
Deciding between tests? Read our honest TOEFL vs IELTS comparison for United Kingdom →
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.
On the new 1.0–6.0 scale, university programmes commonly target roughly 4.0–5.5 overall (B2–C1); the retiring 0–120 equivalent most institutions still list is about 80–100. Set per programme — confirm both during the transition. (UK universities)
Study (university): Many UK universities accept TOEFL for admission — set per course.
⚠️ Visa (UKVI): TOEFL is NOT on the UK Home Office's Secure English Language Test (SELT) list — UK student and work visas require IELTS for UKVI (or another approved SELT). TOEFL may meet a university's admission bar but not the visa itself. Confirm both.
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.
Where TOEFL isn't accepted (above), you'll need a different test. We sell honest practice for those too:
AI-scored practice built for the 21 Jan 2026 TOEFL is on the way. In the meantime, here's honest, sourced guidance — and our sister products if your route needs a different test.
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.