A Guide to Studying in the UK with the TOEFL iBT® Test
TOEFL
When you think about studying abroad, what types of experiences come to mind? Is it the appeal of the architectural beauty reminiscent of the city of London; exploring museums, galleries, and cathedrals in Edinburgh; strolling through national parks in Wales, or taking a food tour in Belfast? Whether it’s studying in a university surrounded by these sights or taking advantage of the career opportunities that await you here post-graduation, the U.K. might be the perfect destination for you.
Before you go, there are important requirements to know, understand and prepare for in advance of your university and/or postgraduate experience, such as how to obtain a visa and which English language assessment to take.
U.K. points-based immigration system: Student route visas
Beginning January 1, 2021, the U.K. will adopt a points-based immigration system to issue student route visas. International students who wish to study abroad in the U.K. will be required to meet a total of 70 points — all of which must be met — broken down into Student, Financial and English-language sections as described in the chart below. The Government has published additional information about each requirement on its website. Students can apply for a visa up to 6 months prior to starting their intended course.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
| Points type |
Requirements to be met |
Number of points |
|---|---|---|
| Study |
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) requirement; this includes an unconditional offer from a university to study in the U.K. Students must also demonstrate their intent to study, have relevant academic qualifications to do so, and be sure their intended course leads to an approved qualification |
50 |
| Financial |
Financial requirement |
10 |
| English language |
English-language requirement |
10 |
Which English-language test should I take and why?
As indicated above, an English language requirement is necessary to obtain a Student route visa. English proficiency is imperative to success at university so that students can feel confident that they have the skills needed to be successful when it comes to the rigour of English expected of them in their respective programs. The TOEFL iBT® test is your best option — it provides convenient testing options and is universally accepted by U.K. universities.
There is more than one option for taking the TOEFL® test. You can take the test in person at a test centre — in which ETS continues to work with our authorized test service provider in India to continuously open test centres as it is safe to do so — or from the comfort of home with TOEFL iBT Home Edition. These tests are identical in content, format, and on-screen experience, which means that scores are accepted by institutions in the same way, regardless of format.
Taking the TOEFL test provides you with important and convenient advantages:
- The TOEFL test is accepted by 100% of U.K. universities, including the 24 prestigious Russell Group® universities
- The TOEFL test is the only English-language test containing 100% academic content, meaning the types of questions you will be asked on test day are those that you could expect at university
- You can take the test in one sitting
- You can preview your unofficial scores for the Reading and Listening sections immediately following the test — an instant validation of your performance
- The TOEFL test is scored through a combination of AI technology and human raters to ensure that all results are valid, reliable, and unbiased
Scores
TOEFL iBT test scores are divided into four section scores, indicative of each test section — Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Students will receive a score for each section ranging from
0–30, with a total possible score ranging from 0–120. These section scores are then mapped to proficiency levels, which are unique for each test section, as illustrated below. A comprehensive overview of these proficiency levels is available on the TOEFL website.
TOEFL scores can be used to meet the English-language requirement of Student route visas if:
- Your desired institution accepts the TOEFL iBT test for admissions purposes for degree level; and
- You meet the TOEFL iBT score requirements established by your desired institution.
In the U.K., individual universities have differing TOEFL score requirements which students need to meet. In addition, they must achieve the minimum scores set by the Home Office, as described in the chart below.
| TOEFL Sections | Score Distribution |
|---|---|
| Reading Section Score | 18 |
| Listening Section Score | 17 |
| Speaking Section Score | 20 |
| Writing Section Score | 17 |
| Total Score | 72 |
Also, Read
- The Dream of Studying in the U.K. Still Thrives Despite the Pandemic
- TOEFL iBT® Testing Continues Seamlessly Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
- Getting Familiar with the Shorter TOEFL Test
Preparing for test day
There are a variety of free test prep resources that students can take advantage of when preparing for the TOEFL iBT test, whether you are in the beginning stages of preparation or are quickly approaching test day.
- The TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner is a great tool for students in the early stages of test preparation, as it contains an 8-week schedule to help keep them organized, set practice goals, and build the English skills needed for success on test day. Each week contains a checklist with objectives, tasks, and resources, including sample test questions, scoring guides, and tips for test day and beyond.
- The TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider’s Guide is a free and comprehensive six-week, online study course that provides sample questions, videos, quizzes, tips from expert instructors, and more. The course was developed by experts who created, administer, and score the TOEFL test, and is an interactive way to spend a few hours a week preparing for each test section.
- The TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test is one of the newest resources available to students, featuring a full-length practice test with real past test questions, correct responses, as well as sample Speaking and Writing responses for reference.
And don’t forget to utilize the unlimited resources you have at your fingertips! Whether it’s listening to podcasts or reading news articles in English, there are plenty of unique ways to challenge yourself and better your English skills to complement official TOEFL test prep resources. The more that you practice, the better prepared you will be and the more confident you will feel come test day.
Graduate Immigration Route
Beginning in the summer of 2021, international students who meet the following requirements can stay in the U.K. to work or look for work at any skill level for a 2-year period based on the Government’s new Graduate Immigration Route:
- Students who have completed a degree at undergraduate level or above at a Higher Education Provider with a track record of compliance
- Students who have a tier 4 visa at the time of application
This is an exciting opportunity for students who want to continue to experience what the U.K. has to offer postgraduation and to begin utilizing the skills acquired from their undergraduate degree in an international environment.
U.K. Study Abroad Checklist
Looking to study in the UK? Check out a step-by-step procedure on how to go about getting admission to the top universities in the UK.
- Find a university and course that best fits your study and career goals
- Review the requirements to obtain a Student route visa
- Review English-language requirements for your program of choice
- Take the TOEFL iBT test (in person or from home!)
- Send your university application
- Apply for a Student route visa (make sure you have a current passport!)
- Book travel
- Pack your bags
- Enjoy every second of your study abroad (and post-graduate work) experience!
Got more queries? Feel free to connect with us in the comments section, below.
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About the Author
Q: How can I prepare for TOEFL at home?
Q: How long should I study for the TOEFL?
The ideal duration depends on the TOEFL test taker's English proficiency and target score. Generally, dedicating 3-6 months with consistent practice sessions should yield the desired TOEFL scores. TOEFL test takers are further advised to analyze their practice test scores and identify areas needing improvement to tailor their study plan.
Q: Can I pass TOEFL online?
There is no such thing as failing or passing the TOEFL exam. The TOEFL exam is held online at a test centre near you and is also being conducted in the safety of your home via the online method. Candidates who have prepared for the TOEFL would qualify for the exam. Candidates should note that higher TOEFL scores would automatically increase their chances of securing a seat in the university and also make them a front runner for any scholarships being offered by the university. A low TOEFL score would require the student to re-take the exam to improve his/her performance.
Q: Is the TOEFL difficult for Indian students?
Yes, the TOEFL exam is relatively difficult than other English tests. However, the difficulty is subjective and depends on your current English proficiency level and preparation. While challenges like vocabulary gaps and adapting to the computer format (for the iBT) are common, dedicated preparation can help Indian students excel. Utilize official ETS resources like practice tests and study guides, supplement with free online tools and consider coaching classes if needed. Remember, consistent practice and addressing specific weaknesses are key to success.
Q: What is the hardest part of the TOEFL test?
The hardest part of the TOEFL test often depends on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, many test-takers find the speaking and writing sections to be the most challenging, as they require both language proficiency and critical thinking skills.
There are two tasks in the TOEFL writing section; one of them requires test takers to read a short passage, listen to a short lecture and finally, write your understanding of both. The other task requires test takers to state and support an opinion in a classroom discussion.
Q: Should students prepare for TOEFL on their own or seek professional guidance?
This is entirely at the discretion of the candidate. While professional help would definitely give you an added advantage, studying on your own would give you confidence like no other. Candidates studying on their own are advised to check out our preparation guide or visit the official website to learn about the at-home preparation strategy to score well in their next TOEFL exam. Candidates seeking professional help can check out the top TOEFL Coaching Centers in India.
Q: What is a Good TOEFL Score?
TOEFL Scores: There are no good or bad scores when appearing for the TOEFL test. Candidates would be required to meet the TOEFL score decided by the universities. anything above would increase their chances of getting admission into the university and any score below the range could serve as a roadblock in the admission process.
However, to make your test experience more personal and for you to understand your score better ETS has provided 4 to 5 proficiency levels for each skill. So where your score falls within that range tells you your proficiency for that skill. This will give you a fair idea about your performance, your strengths, sections that need improvement, and so on. Test takers can look at the table below to understand their TOEFL iBT Scores better.
Skill/ Score Range | Level* |
|---|---|
Reading Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) |
Listening Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (22–30) |
Speaking Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (25–30) |
Writing Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) |
Total Score | These are added together for a total score of 0–120. |
Q: Why take the TOEFL Exam?
Accepted in over 11,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and across Europe and Asia, TOEFL is one of the most preferred English-language tests for students wanting to study abroad. The TOEFL test is primarily to understand and grade the candidates reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities in the English language.
Students wanting to study abroad and opting for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) comes with many benefits. TOEFL is a preferred exam among students who want to pursue higher education abroad, as more TOEFL scores are sent to universities in the United States and Canada than all other English-language tests combined. Similarly, TOEFL is a preferred English test among countries as more TOEFL scores are sent to German, French, US, and Canadian universities than other English tests. ETS – the conducting body of the TOEFL also guarantees students a fair and unbiased process of score reporting, making the test more authentic.
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Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
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One searching for TOEFL preparation startegy without taking help of any coachings.
Self-Study Resources: Utilize online platform like ETS, and practice questions and study materials.
Listening Practice: Listen to English podcasts, lectures, and audiobooks to improve comprehension.
Reading Practice: Read academic articles or textbooks to familiarize yourself with academic vocabulary and structure.
Speaking Practice: Record yourself speaking on various topics and review your pronunciation and fluency.
Writing Practice: Write essays and seek feedback form any experts.