The University of California, Berkeley is the world's top-ranked public university. TOEFL iBT is accepted for both undergraduate and graduate admissions, with requirements varying significantly between the two levels and across Berkeley's schools.
Does UC Berkeley Accept TOEFL?
Yes. UC Berkeley accepts TOEFL iBT for English language proficiency. IELTS Academic is also accepted.
TOEFL MyBest Scores: UC Berkeley's Graduate Division does not accept TOEFL MyBest. Scores from a single valid sitting are required.
UC Berkeley TOEFL Requirements — Undergraduate
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum TOEFL | 80 iBT |
| Per-section minimum | No formal floor published |
| Competitive score | 100–120 |
| Notes | Required for applicants whose primary language is not English; three-year English schooling exemption available |
Berkeley's 80 iBT undergraduate minimum is notably lower than many peers on the score scale but is consistent with the UC system. Competitive admitted international students typically score 100–120.
UC Berkeley TOEFL Requirements — Graduate
Graduate Division General Minimum
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum TOEFL | 90 iBT |
| Per-section minimum | Writing 22, Speaking 22 (Graduate Division standard) |
| Competitive score | 100–120 |
College of Engineering
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| PhD/MS Computer Science (EECS) | 90 | 107–120 |
| PhD/MS Electrical Engineering | 90 | 104–120 |
| PhD/MS Mechanical Engineering | 90 | 100–115 |
| PhD/MS Civil and Environmental Engineering | 90 | 100–115 |
| PhD/MS Industrial Engineering (IEOR) | 90 | 100–115 |
Berkeley EECS is one of the world's most competitive graduate programmes — acceptance rates are typically under 5%.
College of Letters and Science (Graduate)
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| PhD Economics | 90 | 107–120 |
| PhD Mathematics | 90 | 107–115 |
| PhD Physics | 90 | 107–115 |
| PhD Sociology | 90 | 104–120 |
| PhD Political Science | 90 | 107–120 |
| PhD English | 90 | 110–120 |
| PhD History | 90 | 110–120 |
Haas School of Business
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time MBA | No formal minimum | 109–120 |
| Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) | No formal minimum | 107–120 |
| PhD in Business | No formal minimum | 107–120 |
Berkeley Law (Boalt Hall)
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| LLM | 80 iBT | 100–120 |
| JSP (PhD in Jurisprudence) | 90 | 107–120 |
Goldman School of Public Policy
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| MPP | 90 | 107–120 |
| PhD Public Policy | 90 | 107–120 |
School of Public Health
| Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|
| 90 | 100–115 |
UC Berkeley TOEFL — Summary Table
| School / Programme | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 80 | 100–120 |
| Engineering (MS/PhD) | 90 | 100–120 |
| Letters & Science (Humanities/Sciences PhD) | 90 | 107–120 |
| Haas MBA | No minimum | 109–120 |
| Berkeley Law (LLM) | 80 | 100–120 |
| Goldman School of Public Policy | 90 | 107–120 |
| School of Public Health | 90 | 100–115 |
TOEFL Per-Section Strategy for Berkeley
Writing (target 24–30)
Berkeley is writing-intensive at every level — from undergraduate analytical essays to doctoral dissertations. Graduate Division requires Writing 22 as a minimum; competitive applicants score 24–30.
Target: Writing 24+ for all graduate programmes; 26+ for English, History, Goldman, and Haas.
Speaking (target 24–30)
Berkeley's section-based teaching and research seminar culture require regular verbal participation. Graduate Division requires Speaking 22 minimum; competitive applicants score 24–30.
Reading and Listening (target 26–30)
Both sections should be strong. At Berkeley's competitive level, scores below 24 in either would stand out negatively.
Undergraduate TOEFL at Berkeley — The 80 Minimum
Berkeley's 80 undergraduate minimum is lower than many peers on paper. However, it is a hard requirement — applicants who don't meet the three-year English-medium schooling exemption and score below 80 will not receive an admissions offer regardless of academic strength.
Competitive admitted international students score significantly above 80 — typically 100–120 — reflecting the academic demands of Berkeley's courses from the first semester.
TOEFL vs. IELTS for Berkeley
Berkeley accepts both equally. Graduate Division equivalents: TOEFL 90 = IELTS 7.0.
Score Validity at Berkeley
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. Berkeley requires scores valid at application. UC Application deadline is November 30 for undergraduates; graduate deadlines vary by programme (typically December–January).
Common Mistakes Berkeley TOEFL Applicants Make
Submitting exactly 80 for undergraduate. The 80 minimum is a hard requirement, not a competitive score. A 90–100 is typically the floor of what competitive international admits score.
Treating Haas's "no minimum" as a low bar. Haas evaluates language through essays, the video statement, and interview. A 90 alongside strong academic credentials still signals a potential barrier in a discussion-based MBA environment.
Relying on TOEFL MyBest. Berkeley's Graduate Division requires single-sitting scores. Superscored results will not be accepted.
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