Program-level details
Manchester does not publish a single university-wide TOEFL minimum; each course sets its own threshold on the course profile. The headline equivalency table maps TOEFL 80 to IELTS 6.0, 90 to IELTS 6.5, 100 to IELTS 7.0, and 109+ to IELTS 7.5+. The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate research programmes and Alliance Manchester Business School undergraduate publish 90 overall with no component below 22, which is the most common Manchester baseline. The university does not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, IELTS Online, or PTE Academic Online; only in-person test-centre delivery counts.
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 Manchester's undergraduate minimum of 90 corresponds to roughly band 4.5, which aligns with CEFR B2 high. The graduate minimum of 90 corresponds to band 4.5 (B2 high). 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 Manchester typically accepts: IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic UKVI (in-person only); PTE Academic in-person; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency; LanguageCert Academic. 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 Manchester TOEFL minimum
A target of 90 on the TOEFL iBT is a band 4.5 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 Manchester? ▾
University of Manchester requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 for undergraduate admission and 90 for most graduate programs. Manchester does not publish a single university-wide TOEFL minimum; each course sets its own threshold on the course profile. The headline equivalency table maps TOEFL 80 to IELTS 6.0, 90 to IELTS 6.5, 100 to IELTS 7.0, and 109+ to IELTS 7.5+. The Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health postgraduate research programmes and Alliance Manchester Business School undergraduate publish 90 overall with no component below 22, which is the most common Manchester baseline. The university does not accept TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, IELTS Online, or PTE Academic Online; only in-person test-centre delivery counts.
What if my TOEFL score is below the University of Manchester minimum? ▾
If you score below the University of Manchester minimum, options include retaking the TOEFL after focused practice, taking an alternative accepted test (IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic UKVI (in-person only); PTE Academic in-person; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency; LanguageCert Academic), or applying to a pre-sessional English program offered by the university.
Does University of Manchester accept the Duolingo English Test? ▾
Many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to TOEFL. Whether University of Manchester 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 Manchester? ▾
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 Manchester admissions page before applying. The figures on this page were last verified 2026-05-05 and reflect publicly stated institutional minimums; specific programs may set higher thresholds, and some courses (medicine, law, education) frequently do.