Program-level details
University of Birmingham's standard undergraduate TOEFL iBT requirement is 80 with no subscore below 19, but the Birmingham Medical School requires 100 with subscores of 24 in Speaking and 23 in Writing, and the Birmingham Business School requires 88 for most MSc programs. Postgraduate programs in Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics typically require 88 with 21+ in each section. The Birmingham International Academy offers pre-sessional English for applicants close to but below the threshold.
Translating this score to the 2026 1-6 band scale
From January 2026, ETS reports the TOEFL iBT on a 1.0-6.0 band scale (in 0.5 increments) rather than the legacy 0-120 scale. University of Birmingham's undergraduate minimum of 80 corresponds to roughly band 4.0, which aligns with CEFR B2. The graduate minimum of 88 corresponds to band 4.0 (B2). For a more precise read on what these bands mean for your speaking, writing, listening, and reading, take a free TOEFLMock practice test — you'll see your score reported on both scales side-by-side.
Other accepted English tests
University of Birmingham typically accepts: IELTS 6.0+ (undergrad), 6.5+ (graduate), Duolingo English Test 105+. Many universities accept the Duolingo English Test, and some accept Cambridge English Advanced (C1) or Proficiency (C2). Acceptance and minimum thresholds for alternative tests change frequently — verify against the current admissions page before relying on a specific alternative.
How to prepare for the University of Birmingham TOEFL minimum
A target of 80 on the TOEFL iBT is a band 4.0 performance. Realistically, this means consistently scoring well across all four sections, since universities almost always set sub-section minimums (typically 22 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing for top-tier programs). The fastest way to spot which section is holding you back is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions and compare your section bands. From there, focused section practice is more productive than another full-length attempt.
- Take a free full-length TOEFL practice test to see your starting band
- Reading practice — 16 free 2026-format reading tests
- Listening practice — 16 free 2026-format listening tests with the new task types
- Writing practice — 16 free Build-a-Sentence + Email + Academic Discussion tests
- Speaking practice — 16 free Listen-and-Repeat + video Interview tests
Common questions
What is the minimum TOEFL score for University of Birmingham? ▾
University of Birmingham requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 for undergraduate admission and 88 for most graduate programs. University of Birmingham's standard undergraduate TOEFL iBT requirement is 80 with no subscore below 19, but the Birmingham Medical School requires 100 with subscores of 24 in Speaking and 23 in Writing, and the Birmingham Business School requires 88 for most MSc programs. Postgraduate programs in Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics typically require 88 with 21+ in each section. The Birmingham International Academy offers pre-sessional English for applicants close to but below the threshold.
What if my TOEFL score is below the University of Birmingham minimum? ▾
If you score below the University of Birmingham minimum, options include retaking the TOEFL after focused practice, taking an alternative accepted test (IELTS 6.0+ (undergrad), 6.5+ (graduate), Duolingo English Test 105+), or applying to a pre-sessional English program offered by the university.
Does University of Birmingham accept the Duolingo English Test? ▾
Many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to TOEFL. Whether University of Birmingham accepts it depends on the program and the year — verify against the official admissions page linked above.
How do I send my TOEFL scores to University of Birmingham? ▾
Official TOEFL scores are sent directly from ETS to the university you specify. You can list up to four institutions to receive your scores at no extra cost when you register for the test. Additional score reports cost a fee per institution.
Verify before applying
University admission requirements change. Always confirm the current TOEFL minimum on the official University of Birmingham admissions page before applying. The figures on this page were last verified 2026-05-26 and reflect publicly stated institutional minimums; specific programs may set higher thresholds, and some courses (medicine, law, education) frequently do.