TOEFL 2023 Cutoff - Check Minimum Score at Top Universities

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Aarushi Jain
Updated on Feb 17, 2023 1:23 PM IST

The TOEFL exam is conducted by ETS and is officially known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language. For students planning to take the TOEFL exam in order to enrol in an international course of study, the TOEFL exam cutoff is a crucial thing.

You will be in the clear and have a better chance of getting into the college or university of your choice if your exam score is higher than the TOEFL cut-off mark. Determining your desired TOEFL score well in advance is always a good idea as it will help in your TOEFL exam preparation. It is wise to examine the minimum TOEFL cutoff, which varies between universities, before submitting an application to any university abroad.

TOEFL Cutoff 2023

While there is no specific cut-off defined by TOEFL's test provider ETS, each university accepting the TOEFL exam will outline the minimum TOEFL score requirement for admission purposes. The TOEFL 2023 cutoff for higher education institutions abroad may range between 76 and 80, although the TOEFL cutoff for top US universities such as Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale, and Princeton ranges between 80 and 100. Some universities abroad also require applicants to meet their sectional TOEFL cutoffs depending on the requirements of the course. It should be noted that the TOEFL 2023 cutoff may be different for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and the students must follow the website of their respective universities to get the updates.

According to ETS, the average total TOEFL score accepted around the world is 82, with TOEFL sectional scores ranging between 20 and 26 on average. It is, therefore, important to have an idea of the intended university's TOEFL 2023 cutoff before taking and preparing for the test. Scoring above the average TOEFL score will increase your chances of getting into the university of your choice.

The TOEFL 2023 scores are required and accepted by most universities in all English-speaking countries including the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and more.

Want to Know the TOEFL Cutoff of Your Dream University?

What is a Good TOEFL Score?

The conducting body of TOEFL, ETS does not specify any minimum TOEFL score requirement. However, the universities set up their own minimum TOEFL score that they require from their non-native international students. 

The minimum TOEFL score also depends on the courses students are opting for in the university. The popular universities across the world with high rankings have high TOEFL cutoff scores than others. The universities mention the overall score as well as the sectional scores, that is, the scores in the reading, writing, listening and speaking sections. Generally, a TOEFL iBT score of 100 is required for top universities abroad.

Section-wise Good TOEFL Score

The different universities have different requirements for TOEFL. With a good TOEFL score, you can enter prestigious universities like Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge and etc. Here is a section-wise good score for TOEFL:

TOEFL Section

TOEFL Good Score

Reading

24-30

Listening

22-30

Speaking 

25-30

Writing

24-30

TOEFL Cutoff for Top US Universities

Here is the list of top US universities with their minimum TOEFL cutoff 2023:

Name of the University

TOEFL iBT Overall Cutoff

Harvard University

100-109

Yale University

100

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

100

Brown University

100

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

90

Princeton University

100

Stanford University

100

UCLA

87

Columbia University

100

University of Washington

76

Apart from the highest-ranked universities across the world accepting TOEFL 2022 scores, a number of other popular US universities also measure an applicant's English proficiency level based on TOEFL scores. Have a look at the TOEFL cut-off of some other US universities:

Name of the University

TOEFL iBT Overall Cutoff

TOEFL PBT Overall Cutoff

University of Illinois, Chicago

80

60 (rPT)

Auburn University

79

550

Florida International University

80

550

University of Dayton, Ohio

80

-

University of Central Florida

80

550

University of South Carolina

77

550

Adelphi University

80

-

American University

100

-

University of Kansas

79

60 (rPT)

University of Massachusetts, Boston

79

550

Related Reads:

TOEFL Listening Test: Format, Pattern, Tips, Score Calculator

IELTS or TOEFL? Which Exam Should You Take to Study Abroad?

TOEFL Speaking Test: Questions, Practice Test, Sample, Syllabus and Score Calculation

TOEFL Reading Test: Questions, Passages, Practice Test Tips, Score Calculator

TOEFL Cutoff for Top UK Universities

Here is the list of top UK universities with their TOEFL 2023 cutoff:

Name of the University

TOEFL iBT Overall Cutoff

TOEFL iBT Sectional Cutoff

University of Oxford

100

Listening: 22

Reading: 24

Speaking: 25

Writing: 24

University of Cambridge

100

No Band less than 25

Imperial College London

92

No band leass than 20

UCL, London

92

Reading: 24

Writing: 30

Speaking: 20

Listening: 30

University of Edinburgh

92

Noband less than20

University of Manchester

Varies course Wise: 80 to 100

Varies course Wise: No band less than 20 to 25

King's College London

80

No band less than 20

 

The London School of Economics and Political Science

107

Reading: 23

Writing: 22

Speaking: 20

Listening: 23

University of Bristol

90

No band less than 20

University of Warwick

92

NA

TOEFL Requirement for Popular UK Universities

Here is the list of popular UK Universities along with the cutoff:

Name of the University

TOEFL iBT Overall Cutoff

TOEFL iBT Sectional Cutoff

University of Glasgow

100

No element below 23

City, University of London

72

Writing: 17

Listening: 17

Reading: 18

Speaking: 20

Durham University

80

No band less than 2

Manchester Metropolitan University

UG: 79

PG: 88

UG & PG

Listening & Writing: 17

Reading: 18

Speaking: 20

University of Leeds

92

Listening & Reading : 21

Writing: 22

Speaking: 23

University of Manchester

100

Listening & Writing: 17

Reading 18

Speaking 20

Aston University

101

Reading & Listening: 26

Writing 28

Speaking: 23

Wish to Study in the UK with TOEFL Scores?

TOEFL Cutoff for Top Universities in Canada

Check the minimum TOEFL requirements at top universities in Canada for the academic year 2023-24:

Name of the University

TOEFL iBT Overall Cutoff TOEFL iBT Sectional Cutoff

University of Toronto

100

Writing: 22

McGill University

79 to 100

NA

University of British Columbia

90 to 100

NA

University of Alberta

90

No band less than 21

University of Waterloo

90

Writing; 25

Speaking 25

Western University

83

No band less than 20

Queen's University at Kingston

90

Listening & Writing: 17

Reading: 18

Speaking: 20

University of Calgary

All UG Courses except Education and Nursing: 86

Education: 108

Nursing: 92

Education: No band less than 27

Nursing: No band less than 23

University of Saskatchewan

75 to 70

No band less than 15 or 17

TOEFL Cutoff For Top Universities in Germany

Check the minimum TOEFL iBT score requirement at topUniversities in Germany for 2023-24:

Name of the University

TOEFL iBT Overall Cutoff

TOEFL PBT Overall Cutoff

Schiller University

UG: 80

PG: 89

-

Berlin International College

74

-

Ludwig Maximilians University Munich

80

-

Free University of Berlin

80

-

University of Applied Sciences, Germany

80

-

Munich Business School

93

Writing: 22

All other sections: 20

University of Heidelberg

79

-

University of Tebingen

79

-

FAQs on TOEFL Cut-offs

Do universties have section-wise TOEFL cutoff?

Yes, many universities abroad define a specific section-wise TOEFL cut-off, as part of their admission requirements. However, this will vary between universities, therefore, it is crucial that applicants check the individual university admission requirements of their dream universities before attempting a TOEFL test, in order to meet the minimum score requirements.

Is TOEFL required for admission to study at Stanford?

Yes, TOEFL is required for admission to Stanford University. International students whose first language is not English and are interested in studying at the University are required to present a valid TOEFL exam score as part of the admission process. The minimum TOEFL score required for admissions at Stanford University is usually 100, however, this will vary between different courses and programmes.

What is the minimum TOEFL score required by US universities?

On average, the minimum TOEFL exam score required by US universities may vary between 78-80. However, some universities may also require candidates to present a valid TOEFL score of 90 or higher, depending on the popularity of the university among prospective higher education students and the type of courses chosen by the students, among other factors.

What TOEFL score is required for German universities?

For admissions to English-taught programmes offered by German universities, international applicants may be asked to present a valid TOEFL score ranging between 60 and 80. However, the minimum TOEFL score requirement at German universities may be higher depending on the type of institution and programme selected by an international student applicant.

Is 90 a good TOEFL score?

Yes, across universities in the world, a score of 90 is considered a good TOEFL score. In fact, in some of the top universities across top study abroad destinations such as the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Germany, a TOEFL score of 90 will allow them to apply to the top 50 institutions

What is the minimum TOEFL score requirement?

The minimum TOEFL score requirement will vary from one university to another, depending on several factors such as the popularity of the university and course, etc. While some universities may require a TOEFL score of 100 or above for the test, many others would require scores ranging anywhere between 60 and 80.

Who determines the TOEFL cutoff?

To ensure fairness in the selection process, universities across the world take up the responsibility of determining the minimum TOEFL cut-off. Therefore, when applying to any university abroad, it is advisable to check the minimum TOEFL score requirement which will vary between universities. Additionally, TOEFL score requirements may also vary between different courses and departments at a university.

What is a good TOEFL score for Ivy League schools?

According to US News and World Report, Ivy League schools across the US specify a different TOEFL score requirement. However, in general, a TOEFL score of 100 or higher along with other admission requirements will be enough to apply to any Ivy League university. Nevertheless, it is important to check the TOEFL score requirement of each Ivy League before applying.

What is the TOEFL cutoff at Harvard University?

For those looking to study at Harvard University in the next academic session, it is important to present a valid TOEFL score of 100 or higher. However, the minimum TOEFL score requirement at Harvard will vary depending on the course you have selected as well as the department you wish to study under.

What is a TOEFL cutoff?

Similar to the minimum academic score requirements outlined by each university individually, a TOEFL cut-off refers to the minimum score an applicant must present to any university when submitting their student application form. Since TOEFL cut-offs are determined by each individual university, the minimum TOEFL score accepted required for admissions will differ.

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