Most universities abroad ask for roughly IELTS 6.5 overall (usually with 6.0 in each of the four parts) or a TOEFL iBT score in the 90 to 100 range for an AI or computer science degree. Competitive programs push higher, often IELTS 7.0 and above, while some bachelor's courses accept 6.0. The exact number is set by the program, and sometimes a second number is set by the visa office, so the honest answer is: it depends on where you apply and what you study. This post is informational, not legal, immigration, tax, or financial advice, so treat every figure here as a starting point and verify with the program before you book anything.
What an English requirement actually is
An English requirement is proof that you can follow lectures, read papers, and write assignments in English. Two numbers usually matter, not one:
- The overall band or total score. The headline figure, for example IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 92.
- The subscore minimums. Many programs also want each section (listening, reading, writing, speaking) to clear a floor, often 6.0 or 6.5 on IELTS. A strong overall band with a weak writing score can still be rejected.
Neither ETS nor the IELTS partners set a pass mark. As ETS states plainly, there are no passing or failing scores, and each institution decides its own cutoff, which you can confirm on the official TOEFL scores and admissions page. So the "requirement" is really whatever your specific department publishes. As a rough map for AI and CS: many master's programs land around IELTS 6.5 to 7.0, the most selective ones ask 7.0 to 7.5, and some bachelor's programs accept 6.0 to 6.5. These are directional ranges for 2026, not promises.
IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, and PTE: which test to sit
Four tests cover almost every case, and they are not interchangeable everywhere.
- IELTS Academic is the most widely accepted paper for study, scored in half bands from 0 to 9. Note there are two versions: standard IELTS Academic for the university, and IELTS for UKVI, a version taken at approved centres that a UK visa can require. The content is the same, but only the UKVI version counts for the visa. IELTS also now lets you retake a single weak section instead of the whole test through the official IELTS One Skill Retake page, which is useful if only your writing or speaking is short.
- TOEFL iBT is scored differently (historically 0 to 120, with a new CEFR-aligned scale added in 2026) and is common for the US and widely accepted elsewhere. Its MyBest, or superscore, feature combines your best section scores across recent sittings, though not every university accepts that. Check per program.
- Duolingo English Test is cheaper, shorter, and taken at home. Acceptance has grown a lot but is still patchy, especially for visas, so only rely on it if the program lists it.
- PTE Academic is computer-scored with fast results and is accepted by many universities and, in a specific UKVI version, for UK visas.
Practical rule: pick the test your target programs all accept, then optimise for the one whose format suits you. If you are still choosing countries, our roundup of the best countries to study AI abroad in 2026 pairs well with this decision.
How requirements change by country
The band you need shifts with the destination, and sometimes the visa adds a second gate on top of the university's.
- UK and Ireland tend to be strict, often IELTS 6.5 with no part below 6.0, and elite programs ask 7.0 plus. The extra wrinkle is the visa: some UK study routes require an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), a specific list of tests taken at approved centres, detailed on the official GOV.UK SELT guidance. A standard IELTS booked at the wrong centre may satisfy the university but not the visa.
- Germany and the Netherlands run many English-taught AI and CS programs, and each program sets its own bar, commonly around IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90. Germany's official study portal and the DAAD site are good places to confirm a specific course. Watch the language of instruction: many German bachelor's degrees are taught in German and demand a German test instead.
- Waivers exist. A good number of universities drop the English test if your previous degree was taught fully in English, or if you are from a majority English-speaking country. This is a per-program policy, so ask directly rather than assume.
Because the score interacts with tuition, living costs, and visa steps, it helps to see the whole picture at once. Our breakdown of the cost to study AI abroad by country covers the money side, and you can compare all 21 countries in one place.
Before you book: how to pick a target score
Work backward from the programs you actually want, not from a generic number. Do this in order:
- List your target programs and write down each one's overall band and subscore minimums from its own admissions page.
- Take the highest number on that list as your goal, then add a half band of buffer so one weak section does not sink you.
- Confirm which tests each program accepts. If any of them needs a UK visa SELT or a German-language test, that decides your test for you.
- Check for a waiver based on prior English-medium study before you pay for a test you might not need.
- Book early enough to retake. Leave six to eight weeks before the deadline so a single-skill retake or a full resit still fits.
The premium the AI Relocation Guide packages these per-country entry rules alongside visas and post-study work paths if you want the full comparison in one document.
The honest takeaway
For most applicants aiming at English-taught AI and CS programs, IELTS Academic at 6.5 to 7.0 is the safe default, because it is accepted almost everywhere and the One Skill Retake lowers the cost of a near miss. Choose TOEFL iBT if your programs lean US-heavy or if the reading-and-listening format plays to your strengths. Treat Duolingo as a budget option only when your specific programs list it, and reach for PTE when you want fast results and confirm acceptance. Whatever you sit, the two things that actually decide admission are hitting the subscore floors and matching the version your visa needs, not chasing the highest possible band.
Aim for the highest band your shortlist asks for, add a half band of cushion, and never book a test until the program confirms it accepts that exact version.
