UCL (University College London) uses a four-level English language requirement system — and each level has a direct TOEFL iBT equivalent. The level required by each programme is published on the individual course admissions page.
Does UCL Accept TOEFL?
Yes. UCL accepts TOEFL iBT across all its programmes. IELTS Academic is also accepted. UCL does not express a preference between the two tests.
TOEFL MyBest: UCL does not accept TOEFL MyBest. A score from a single valid sitting is required.
UCL's Four TOEFL Requirement Levels
| UCL Level | Min TOEFL | Min Reading | Min Listening | Min Speaking | Min Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 72 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Level 2 | 79 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Level 3 | 92 | 23 | 21 | 23 | 23 |
| Level 4 | 109 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 |
Most UCL undergraduate programmes use Level 2 (79 iBT). Most graduate programmes use Level 3 (92 iBT). The UCL IOE (education) uses Level 4 (109 iBT).
UCL TOEFL — Undergraduate
Most UCL undergraduate programmes require Level 1 or Level 2:
| Faculty | Level | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| Social and Historical Sciences | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| Mathematical and Physical Sciences | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| Engineering Sciences | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| Laws (LLB) | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| Medical Sciences (MBBS) | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
UCL TOEFL — Graduate
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
| Programme | Level | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| MA English / History / Philosophy | Level 3 | 92 | 100–115 |
| PhD Humanities | Level 3 | 92 | 104–120 |
UCL School of Management
| Programme | Level | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | Level 3 | 92 | 104–115 |
| MSc Finance / Management | Level 3 | 92 | 100–115 |
UCL Faculty of Laws
| Programme | Level | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLM | Level 3 | 92 | 104–115 |
| PhD Law | Level 3 | 92 | 104–120 |
UCL Medical Sciences
| Programme | Level | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBBS (5-year) | Level 3 | 92 | 104–115 |
| MSc Clinical / Neuroscience | Level 3 | 92 | 100–115 |
UCL Engineering Sciences
| Programme | Level | Min TOEFL | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| MSc Mechanical / Electrical Engineering | Level 2 | 79 | 100–115 |
| MSc Biomedical Engineering | Level 3 | 92 | 100–115 |
UCL Institute of Education (IOE)
| Programme | Level | Min TOEFL | Min Per-Section | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA Education | Level 4 | 109 | 25/25/25/24 | 109–120 |
| PGCE | Level 4 | 109 | 25/25/25/24 | 109–120 |
| PhD Education | Level 4 | 109 | 25/25/25/24 | 109–120 |
The UCL IOE is the world's top-ranked education faculty. Level 4 means TOEFL 109 with per-section minimums of Reading 25, Listening 25, Speaking 25, Writing 24. This reflects teacher registration and advanced education research standards.
UCL TOEFL — Summary Table
| Programme Area | UCL Level | Min TOEFL | Per-Section Min |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (most) | Level 2 | 79 | 17–18 |
| Graduate Arts, Humanities, Law | Level 3 | 92 | 21–23 |
| Graduate Management / Medicine | Level 3 | 92 | 21–23 |
| Engineering (most) | Level 2 | 79 | 17–18 |
| Biomedical Engineering | Level 3 | 92 | 21–23 |
| UCL IOE (Education / PGCE) | Level 4 | 109 | R25 L25 S25 W24 |
Per-Section Strategy for UCL TOEFL
Level 3 Target (92 iBT)
The most common UCL graduate requirement. The per-section minimums of 21–23 must all be met. Writing and Speaking are where most candidates fall short.
Target: All sections 23+; Writing 25+ for competitive graduate applications.
Level 4 Target (109 iBT — IOE)
Required for UCL IOE Education and PGCE. Reaching 109 with per-section minimums of 25/25/25/24 requires high-level preparation across all four sections.
Target: All sections 25; Writing 24 minimum, 27+ competitive.
Score Validity at UCL
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. UCL requires scores valid at the time of application.
Common Mistakes UCL TOEFL Applicants Make
Applying to Level 3 programmes with only 79. Level 3 requires 92 — a 79 falls short. Always check the specific programme level, not just the university's general page.
Per-section violations at Level 3. A 92 overall with Listening 19 falls below UCL's Level 3 per-section minimum of 21. All sections must individually meet the threshold.
Applying to IOE without targeting 109. The UCL IOE Level 4 requirement of 109 iBT is a hard minimum — not a guideline. A 100 will not be accepted for MA Education or PGCE.
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