If you plan to study abroad, you must take an English proficiency test to prove your language skills. One of the most widely accepted and recognised tests is the TOEFL test, which stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. In this blog post about TOEFL-accepting countries, we will explain what the TOEFL test is, which countries accept it, how to find TOEFL-accepting universities and some of the top universities that accept TOEFL scores.  

What is TOEFL?

The TOEFL test is a standardised test that measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. It evaluates your reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills through four sections, each worth 30 points. The total score ranges from 0 to 120. The test is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service), a nonprofit organisation developing tests such as GRE® and SAT®.

The TOEFL test has two formats: the TOEFL iBT® test and the TOEFL Essentials™ test. The TOEFL iBT test is the more common and comprehensive version, which takes about three hours to complete. The TOEFL Essentials test is a new and shorter version, which takes about one and a half hours to complete. Both tests are delivered online at a test centre or at home with a human proctor.

The TOEFL test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 150 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the US, and many European and Asian countries. Immigration authorities, professional bodies, and employers worldwide also recognise it. 

Countries that Accept TOEFL Scores

This section provides information about whether TOEFL is accepted in which countries. As mentioned above, the TOEFL test is widely accepted and recognised in many countries across the globe. However, different countries may have different requirements and preferences for English proficiency tests. Some countries may accept more than one type of test, while others may prefer a specific one. Therefore, it is important to check the official websites of the countries or institutions you are interested in to confirm their policies and minimum scores.

To give you an idea of the popularity and acceptance of the TOEFL test, here is a list of some of the major countries that accept it:

Australia: The TOEFL test is accepted by all Australian universities, colleges, and the Australian government for visa purposes.

Canada: The TOEFL test is accepted by most Canadian universities and colleges and by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration and citizenship applications.

New Zealand: The TOEFL test is accepted by all eight New Zealand universities and many other institutions and Immigration New Zealand for visa applications.

UK: The TOEFL test is accepted by more than 600 UK universities and colleges and by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for student visas.

US: The TOEFL test is accepted by more than 2,300 US universities, colleges, and many professional organisations and agencies. 

Steps to Find TOEFL Accepting Universities

You may be wondering how to locate colleges that accept the TOEFL if you have chosen to take it as your English proficiency test. You can use the steps listed below to reduce your options:

• Step 1: Decide on your destination country or region. You can use the list above as a reference or research the countries that interest you.
• Step 2: Visit the ETS official website and use their "TOEFL Destination Search" to find institutions that accept the TOEFL test in your chosen country or region. You can filter your results by institution type, location, program level, field of study, score requirements, etc.
• Step 3: Select a few institutions that match your criteria and visit their official websites to learn more about their admission requirements, application deadlines, tuition fees, scholarships, programs offered, etc.
• Step 4: Compare your options and choose the best one based on your academic goals, budget, preferences, etc.

Top Universities that Accept TOEFL Scores

Universities worldwide accept TOEFL as an internationally recognised test of English proficiency. If you're planning on pursuing higher education abroad, it's essential to research which universities accept TOEFL scores to determine if you need to take this exam. Here, you can find a list of the top universities that accept TOEFL scores:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States: MIT is a leading research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. MIT is a highly competitive school that accepts less than 7% of applicants, but they do accept TOEFL scores.

Harvard University, United States: Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world. According to U.S. News & World Report, Harvard is the top-ranked university in the United States and accepts only about 3% of applicants. The university does accept TOEFL scores.

Stanford University, United States: Stanford University is located in Stanford, California, and is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The university accepts around 5% of applicants and does accept TOEFL scores in its admissions process.

Cambridge University, United Kingdom: Cambridge University in England, UK, requires all non-English-speaking overseas students to demonstrate their English language competency throughout the admission. Cambridge University accepts IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. Cambridge University requires a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, a TOEFL score of 250, or a PTE score of 75. These are basic criteria. However, higher exam results can boost admission chances.

University of Toronto, Canada: Toronto's University of Toronto (U of T) is one of Canada's largest and most prestigious institutions, noted for its academic prowess and research in many subjects. U of T requires non-English-speaking undergraduate and graduate applicants to demonstrate competency in English. It takes the TOEFL, IELTS, and CELPIP, with minimal criteria changing per program and English competence.

University of Oxford, United Kingdom: One of the world's oldest and most prominent universities, Oxford, is in the United Kingdom. International students who are not natural English speakers must demonstrate their English language competency when applying to Oxford, regardless of level or program. It takes the TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge English Language Assessment (CELA), with minimal criteria depending on the curriculum and English skill level.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech), United States: Caltech is located in Pasadena, California, and is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the world. The school is incredibly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 8%, and does accept TOEFL scores.

Princeton University, United States: Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Princeton is famous for its academic excellence and beautiful campus, and it accepts approximately 6% of applicants. The university accepts TOEFL scores in its admissions process.

University of Sydney, Australia: The University of Sydney in Australia is one of the world's top institutions for research, innovation, and academic excellence. International students at Sydney University must have a TOEFL or IELTS certificate to prove their English expertise. Minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores for admission depend on the academic program and required level of English proficiency.

University of British Columbia, Canada: The University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, is a world-class institution lauded for its teaching, scholarship, and technological advancement. Students applying to the institution from outside English-speaking nations must submit evidence of their English language skills. Depending on the curriculum and the degree of English proficiency necessary, it takes a wide range of English proficiency tests, including the TOEFL, IELTS, CELPIP, and TCF Canada, with minimal criteria ranging accordingly.

It's important to note that the rankings of universities can change over time and that other universities may also accept TOEFL scores for admission. Students should do their own research and consult with universities directly to determine which universities are best suited for their needs and interests. Additionally, it's important to remember that the TOEFL exam is just one part of the overall admission process and that universities may have other requirements, such as transcripts, essays, recommendations, and interviews, that must also be considered. 

Here are some of the top universities worldwide that accept TOEFL scores along with their required minimum scores for the TOEFL iBT exam. This includes TOEFL USA, TOEFL UK, TOEFL Canada, and TOEFL Australia universities:

It's important to note that specific programs and departments may have additional TOEFL score requirements, so it's always a good idea to check with the individual university for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, some universities may accept English proficiency exams other than the TOEFL, such as the IELTS. So, checking with the universities to see what tests they accept and whether you need to take additional exams is important. This post about TOEFL-accepting countries can help you find some basic information about the procedure of the TOEFL test and the top universities and countries that accept this English test.

Still unclear about anything? Well, not to worry. Contact AECC and get your queries answered today! AECC is one of the world's leading educational consultancies, with versatile expert professionals ready to help you with any queries you may have. Contact us so we can be of assistance to you in your journey to achieving your dream.