Exams you need to sit for if you want to study in the UK as an international student

The United Kingdom (UK) is a popular destination for international students, thanks to its strong education system, wide variety of courses, and rich cultural experiences. Notably, 18 UK universities are ranked among the top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.

It is important to know the entrance exams you need to pass to study in the UK, as they are necessary for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate certificates, diplomas, and degree programs.

The minimum score requirements for the exams change depending on the university, course, or program level.


The popular English proficiency tests to attempt for studying in UK are IELTS, PTE, and TOEFL. If you want to study medical courses in UK, then you can take exams such as BMAT, GAMSAT, and HPAT Ulster. To pursue mathematical-related courses in UK, you can take MAT or STEP.

English Language Proficiency Exams
Language proficiency is the first requirement for international students looking to advance their applications to study in the UK. As English is an official language, most universities expect applicants to have a strong command of the language to participate effectively in lectures and discussions. Therefore, achieving good scores in these tests is crucial for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the UK. Below are various standardized exams to evaluate your English proficiency:

1. IELTS - International English Language Testing System
2. TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
3. PTE - Pearson Test of English
4. Cambridge English Language Assessments

IELTS
The IELTS test has two types - IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Those who want to study in English-speaking countries like the UK, can take the IELTS test. The IELTS test fee for Indian students is INR 17,000. The minimum IELTS band score for a UK student visa is between 4.0 - 5.5. However, the minimum IELTS score requirements can be higher for each university, for example, top universities like the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge expect between 7.0 - 7.5 band score.

TOEFL
The TOEFL iBT is accepted by all of the UK universities, including the Russell Group of Universities. It has three types: paper-based, computer-based and an internet version. The minimum TOEFL score required for top universities in UK is between 100 - 110. And, the minimum score required for low-ranking universities is lower than 70. The cost of the TOEFL test in UK is $245.

Below are the TOEFL iBT score requirements (section-wise) set by the UK Home Office for immigration purposes:

1. Total score: 72
2. Reading: 18
3. Listening: 17
4. Writing: 17
5. Speaking: 20

Note : It is for the University Degree Level Courses - B2 Level.

PTE
PTE is a computer-based English language proficiency test, accepted by 99% of UK universities. A minimum PTE score to get admission to UK universities is between 50-63. If your goal is to pursue a higher education in UK, you can choose the PTE Academic test. The standard PTE Academic test fee is Rs. 15,900/-. It has an automated scoring system which eliminates human biases during evaluation.

Cambridge English Language Assessments
Cambridge English language assessment is one of the few standardized tests that does not expire. However, some UK institutions may regard scores as invalid after two years. The grading system used by Cambridge Assessment English has a minimum cut-off of A, B, or C, aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). To obtain Tier 4 visas, the relevant levels are B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), and C2 Proficiency (CPE).