The TOEFL is one of the most widely recognised English language tests accepted by over 13,000 institutions across 160 countries worldwide. The TOEFL cut-off is the minimum TOEFL score requirement for university application. Candidates also note that getting the minimum TOEFL cutoff does not guarantee admission. In this article, we are going to discuss the various TOEFL cut-offs for top universities across the world.
Top universities in US, like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford, require a TOEFL iBT score of 90-110+. While top UK universities require a TOEFL iBT score of 90-110+. Candidates are required to register for the TOEFL exam and pick an exam date at least 2-3 months before their university's admission deadlines. This will also give them the time to apply for a visa and/or look for other options if their application is not shortlisted. 85% of TOEFL Test Takers from India secured a student visa.
- TOEFL Cut off 2026
- TOEFL Cut off for Top Universities in US
- TOEFL Cut off for Top Universities in Canada
- TOEFL cut off for Top Universities in UK
- TOEFL cut off for Top Universities in Australia
- TOEFL cut off for Top Universities in Germany
- What is a good TOEFL score?
- How to access TOEFL Scores 2026?
- What is TOEFL MyBest scores?
TOEFL Cut off 2026
The TOEFL cut off is mostly kept low so more students can apply in the university. But only getting the TOEFL exam cut off don’t always mean you will get admission. You should try to score more than the cutoff if you can. The TOEFL cut off scores change from one university to another. Some people think the TOEFL cut off for a country is fixed but that’s not really true. Every university makes its own rule for cutoff based on course type like undergraduate or post graduate programs.
What is a TOEFL Cutoff Score?
A TOEFL cutoff score means the minimum TOEFL score that college or any university ask for admission. It is the lowest TOEFL exam cut off you need to apply. But getting that score doesn’t promise you seat. The cutoff only make you able to apply not sure you will get selected.
Each university have different TOEFL cut off score depend on the program and level. Some top universities ask higher marks and others keep it low. Country not decide TOEFL cutoff, it is made by the university admission office.
Commonly asked questions
The total score is 120. Each of the four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. This is scored from 0 to 30. If you get 20 in each, your total is 80. Most good universities ask for 90+ or 100+.
The TOEFL minimum score cut-off will vary from university to university and country to country. On average, the minimum TOEFL score for most of the universities is 90-110.
No, TOEFL score requirements are different country-wise. Each university or college also have their own score rules. Some countries need minimum score for student visa, others just follow university rules.
TOEFL Cut off for Top Universities in US
To get into a Top University in US, your TOEFL score is one of the most important parts of your application. Most Ivy League and Tier 1 schools want to see a high level of English proficiency to make sure you can handle their difficult academic courses. While the official minimum score for many top schools is 100, the competitive score (the score most successful students actually have) is usually 105 or higher.
TOEFL Cut-off for Top US Universities (2026)
| University Name | Minimum TOEFL Score | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 100 | 105+ |
| Stanford University | 100 | 108+ |
| MIT | 90 | 100+ |
| Yale University | 100 | 105+ |
| Princeton University | No Minimum | 108+ |
| Columbia University | 105 | 110+ |
| UPenn | 100 | 105+ |
| Cornell University | 100 | 105+ |
| UC Berkeley | 80-90 | 100+ |
| UCLA | 87-100 | 100+ |
Note: ETS has revised the TOEFL score to a band score of 1-6. The updated TOEFL band score requirement will be updated here after January 21.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, Ivy League schools like Harvard, Yale, Columbia usually ask for TOEFL 100 or above. Some programs also want high scores in each section.
The eight different Ivy League universities are most likely going to have different TOEFL eligibility criteria for their courses. Candidates can check out the TOEFL requirements of Ivy League universities, here.
The minimum TOEFL score required to study in MIT or Stanford are:
- MIT TOEFL cut-off: usually 100 or more
- Stanford TOEFL cut-off: also 100, and sometimes want at least 22 in each section
TOEFL Cut off for Top Universities in Canada
To study in a top university in Canada, you must show that you can speak and write well in English. Most Canadian universities accept the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test). For the top-tier schools like Toronto or UBC, a score of 90 to 100 is usually the minimum. However, just like in the US, getting a competitive score of 105+ makes your application process much smoother.
TOEFL Cut-off for Top Canadian Universities (2026)
| University Name | Minimum TOEFL Score | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 100 | 105+ |
| McGill University | 90 | 100+ |
| University of British Columbia (UBC) | 90 | 100+ |
| University of Alberta | 100 | 102+ |
| University of Waterloo | 90 | 95+ |
| McMaster University | 86 | 92+ |
| University of Ottawa | 86 | 90+ |
| Western University | 83 | 90+ |
| Queen's University | 88 | 92+ |
| University of Calgary | 86 | 90+ |
Note: ETS has revised the TOEFL score to a band score of 1-6. The updated TOEFL band score requirement will be updated here after January 21.
Also Read
| TOEFL Eligibility | TOEFL Exam Registration |
| TOEFL Exam Dates | TOEFL Pattern/Format |
Commonly asked questions
Different Canadian universities want different TOEFL scores. For bachelor’s courses, you need around 80. For master’s courses, you need about 90. Some top universities want more than 90.
Yes, TOEFL is accepted in Canada for university admissions.
Big universities accept DET. University of Toronto, McGill University and UBC are top universities. Even York University takes the score. Always check with the official website first, just don't guess.
TOEFL cut off for Top Universities in UK
To study in UK, the TOEFL iBT is widely accepted by almost all top universities. However, the UK has very specific rules for student visas.
Most top-tier schools, like those in the Russell Group, require a score of 90 to 110. It is also common for UK universities to have sectional cut-offs, meaning you must hit a minimum score in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing individually.
TOEFL Cut-off for Top UK Universities (2026)
| University Name | Minimum TOEFL Score | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 100 (Standard) / 110 (Higher) | 112+ |
| University of Cambridge | 100 | 110+ (25 per section) |
| Imperial College London | 92 (Standard) / 100 (Higher) | 105+ |
| University College London (UCL) | 92 (Level 1) to 110 (Level 5) | 100-110 |
| University of Edinburgh | 92 | 100+ |
| LSE | 100 | 107+ |
| King’s College London (KCL) | 92 - 100 | 105+ |
| University of Manchester | 90 | 100+ |
| University of Warwick | 92 | 95+ |
| University of Bristol | 88 - 90 | 95+ |
Note: ETS has revised the TOEFL score to a band score of 1-6. The updated TOEFL band score requirement will be updated here after January 21.
Commonly asked questions
In the UK, TOEFL is accepted in many universities. Common score is around 88 to 100. But for UK visa, the TOEFL score must also match UKVI (UK Visa) rules.
Yes, famous schools like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and LSE usually need TOEFL 100 or more, sometimes with high scores in each section.
Most top universities in UK ask for a TOEFL iBT score between 88 to 110, depending on the course and university.
TOEFL cut off for Top Universities in Australia
You will need to meet the TOEFL iBT requirements set by the Australian universities. Australia is a popular destination for international students. The top universities usually require a total score between 79 and 100. Given below is the TOEFL cut off for top universities in Australia for international students looking to study in Australia.
TOEFL Cut-off for Top Australian Universities (2026)
| University Name | Minimum TOEFL Score | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 79+ | 94+ |
| University of Sydney | 85+ | 96+ |
| UNSW Sydney | 90+ | 94+ |
| Australian National University (ANU) | 80+ | 100+ |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | 87+ | 90+ |
| Monash University | 79+ | 94+ |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | 82+ | 100+ |
| University of Adelaide | 79+ | 94+ |
| UTS (Univ. of Technology Sydney) | 79+ | 94+ |
Note: ETS has revised the TOEFL score to a band score of 1-6. The updated TOEFL band score requirement will be updated here after January 21.
Commonly asked questions
Australian universities generally requires TOEFL score of 79–100.
Yes, almost all Australian universities accept TOEFL, for bachelor's, master's, and PhD. Just check each school's official website to be sure.
There is no 'Pass' or 'Fail' score in TOEFL. The performance of the candidates is measured on candidates score out of 120.
TOEFL cut off for Top Universities in Germany
To study in Germany, the TOEFL iBT is the most common way to prove you can handle English-taught programs. While many public universities in Germany have no tuition fees, they are very strict about their entry requirements.
Most top German universities require a score between 80 and 90. However, for very competitive Masters or PhD programs, you should aim for 95 to 100.
TOEFL Cut-off for Top German Universities (2026)
| University Name | Minimum TOEFL Score | Competitive Score |
|---|---|---|
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | 88 | 92+ |
| LMU Munich | 80 | 90+ |
| Heidelberg University | 79 | 90+ |
| RWTH Aachen University | 90 | 95+ |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | 72 - 100 | 100+ |
| Free University of Berlin | 71 - 100 | 100+ |
| KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Tech) | 88 | 92+ |
| Technical University of Berlin | 80 | 85+ |
| University of Freiburg | 95 | 100+ |
| University of Bonn | 72 - 80 | 85+ |
Note: The TOEFL PBT (Paper-delivered) Test is no longer offered. However, TOEFL PBT scores will remain valid for 2 years after your test date. The information above has been sourced from the official website and candidates are advised to check the latest TOEFL cut-off at the time of applying to the university.
Related Reads
| TOEFL Syllabus | TOEFL Preparation Tips |
| TOEFL Preparation Books | TOEFL Sample Paper |
Commonly asked questions
Most top German universities ask for a TOEFL iBT score between 80 to 100. Some programs may accept lower, and some may want higher, depends on the course.
QS Rankings 2025 for German univesities are as follows:
| Particulars | QS Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| #59 | |
| Technical University of Munich | #28 |
| Heidelberg University Germany | #84 |
| Humboldt University of Berlin | #126 |
| Free University of Berlin | #97 |
| RWTH Aachen University | #99 |
| University of Bonn | #227 |
| University of Hamburg | #191 |
| #212 | |
| University of Tuebingen | #222 |
Some programs may ask for minimum scores in each TOEFL section. The TOEFL section wise requirements is 20 or more in Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing, but not always. Check with the programme page.
What is a good TOEFL score?
A good TOEFL score depends mostly on the university you want to join. Since the test is out of 120 points, your score shows the admissions committee if you can handle academic English in a fast-paced classroom. Generally, a score of 100 or higher is considered "very good" and will get you into most top-tier universities worldwide. If you score above 110, your score is "exceptional," making you a top candidate for Ivy League schools.
TOEFL Score Levels and What They Mean
| Score Range | Proficiency Level | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| 110 - 120 | Exceptional | Ivy League, Oxford, Cambridge, and top PhD programs. |
| 100 - 109 | Very Strong | Highly selective schools (NYU, UCLA, UofT) and MBA programs. |
| 90 - 99 | Strong / Competitive | Majority of good universities in the US, UK, and Australia. |
| 80 - 89 | Acceptable | Mid-tier colleges and many undergraduate programs. |
| Below 80 | Limited | Smaller colleges or programs that require extra English classes. |
Commonly asked questions
The TOEFL score requirement for MS courses in Harvard is 80-103. Candidates looking to take admission into Harvard can check out TOEFL score requirements for Harvard.
Yes, the range of 90-100 TOEFL score is generally considered a good score. Most universities accepts 90 TOEFL score for granting admission.
The TOEFL minimum score cut-off will vary from university to university and country to country. On average, the minimum TOEFL score for most of the universities is 90-110.
How to access TOEFL Scores 2026?
Commonly asked questions
In order to check theTOEFL score online, one can follow the below mentioned easy steps.
- Visit the official TOEFL website
- Select Member log-in
- Enter your TOEFL account credentials
- View your TOEFL Results
There is no passing or failing marks in TOEFL exam. There is own minimum TOEFL score requirements for each university. Generally, a TOEFL score of 90 is considered average, while anything above 100 is regarded as good.
The TOEFL score will be available within 4 to 8 days (3 days after January 21, 2026) after your test date in your ETS account. Exact TOEFL result date will be displayed at end of your TOEFL iBT test.
What is TOEFL MyBest scores?
Commonly asked questions
The total score is 120. Each of the four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. This is scored from 0 to 30. If you get 20 in each, your total is 80. Most good universities ask for 90+ or 100+.
The TOEFL test can be attempted as many times as the candidate wants, but to take a re-test the candidate has to wait for a 3-day period after attempting the first test.
TOEFL MyBest scores also referred to as TOEFL superscores are a way to showcase your best overall performance by combining your the highest section scores from all test dates within the last two years. This can help you to achieve your goals sooner since it means you may be able to meet score requirements for your institution with fewer tests. TOEFL iBT score report, showing both traditional scores from your selected test date and your MyBest scores.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum VitaeComments
(366)
T
a year ago
R
2 years ago
N
2 years ago
R
2 years ago
s
2 years ago
R
2 years ago