UCLA is the most-applied-to university in the United States. TOEFL iBT is accepted for both undergraduate and graduate admissions, with requirements varying between the two levels and across UCLA's schools.
Does UCLA Accept TOEFL?
Yes. UCLA accepts TOEFL iBT for English language proficiency. IELTS Academic is also accepted throughout.
TOEFL MyBest Scores: UCLA's Graduate Division policy on MyBest scores varies by department — confirm directly with your target programme, as some (particularly Law and Anderson) prefer single-sitting scores.
UCLA TOEFL Requirements — Undergraduate
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum TOEFL | 83 iBT |
| Per-section minimum | No formal floor published |
| Competitive score | 100 – 120 |
| Notes | Required for applicants whose primary language is not English; 3-year English-medium schooling exemption available |
UCLA TOEFL Requirements — Graduate
Graduate Division General Minimum
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum TOEFL | 87 iBT |
| Per-section minimum | No formal floor published (Graduate Division general) |
| Competitive score | 100 – 115 |
Samueli School of Engineering
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| PhD/MS Computer Science | 87 | 105 – 120 |
| PhD/MS Electrical Engineering | 87 | 100 – 115 |
| PhD/MS Mechanical Engineering | 87 | 95 – 110 |
| PhD/MS Bioengineering | 87 | 95 – 110 |
UCLA Samueli's Computer Science graduate programmes are highly competitive internationally — admitted students commonly score 105+.
Anderson School of Management
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time MBA | No formal minimum | 100 – 110 |
| Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) | 87 | 95 – 105 |
| Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) | 87 | 95 – 105 |
UCLA School of Law
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| JD | No formal minimum | 110+ |
| LLM | 87 | 100 – 115 |
Luskin School of Public Affairs
| Programme | Minimum TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| MPP / MURP | 87 | 95 – 105 |
UCLA TOEFL — Summary Table
| School / Programme | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 83 | 100 – 120 |
| Samueli Engineering (MS/PhD) | 87 | 95 – 120 |
| Anderson MBA | No formal min | 100 – 110 |
| UCLA Law (LLM) | 87 | 100 – 115 |
| Luskin (MPP/MURP) | 87 | 95 – 105 |
TOEFL Per-Section Strategy for UCLA
Writing (target 23–30)
UCLA's undergraduate general education writing requirement and every graduate programme demand strong analytical writing. Target Writing 23+ broadly, and 26+ for Law and Anderson.
Speaking (target 22–28)
UCLA's discussion-section format and Anderson's case-method MBA both reward strong spoken English, and teaching assistantships (common in Samueli graduate programmes) require solid Speaking scores. Target Speaking 22+.
Reading and Listening (target 24–30)
Both sections should sit close to your overall target — UCLA's large lecture courses place consistent demand on both Reading and Listening comprehension.
Undergraduate TOEFL at UCLA — The 83 Minimum
UCLA's 83 undergraduate minimum is a firm requirement, not a guideline — applicants without a qualifying English-medium schooling exemption who score below 83 will not receive an offer. Competitive admitted international students score considerably higher, typically 100 or above.
TOEFL vs. IELTS for UCLA
Both tests are accepted equally. UCLA's published equivalents: undergraduate TOEFL 83 = IELTS 7.0; Graduate Division TOEFL 87 = IELTS 7.0.
Score Validity at UCLA
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. UCLA requires scores valid at the time of application — the UC Application deadline is November 30 for undergraduates; graduate deadlines vary by school and department.
Common Mistakes UCLA TOEFL Applicants Make
Submitting close to the 83 undergraduate minimum. Competitive international admits typically score 100+ — 83 is the enforced floor, not a target.
Assuming Anderson's "no minimum" removes language scrutiny. Anderson's admissions committee assesses spoken English through video essays and interviews regardless of a submitted TOEFL score.
Overlooking UCLA Law LLM's realistic bar. The published minimum of 87 sits well below the actual competitive range of 100–115 for admitted international LLM candidates.
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