Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
BNBU English requirements
From BNBU's English language requirements for international degree-seeking students and the Graduate School's research postgraduate FAQ.
| Level | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 79 (incl. Home and Paper Edition) or paper-delivered 60; SAT EBRW 590 |
| Research postgraduate | 6.5, each band 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 79 (R/L/S 18, W 19) or 4.5 from 21 Jan 2026 |
School qualifications that count
For undergraduates, BNBU lists many alternatives: Indian Grade 12 English at 75% (SSC, ISC, All-India, HSC or PUC), WASSCE English C6, GCE O-level or GCSE English C/4, IGCSE First Language English C/4 or English as a Second Language B/5, GCE AS or A-level English E, IB English A grade 4, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency grade C, and Malaysian MUET Band 4 or SPM English C. TOEFL MyBest is not accepted, and PTE and Duolingo are not listed.
Free test: are you at UIC's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Research postgraduate rules
Research applicants cannot use TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest, IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake or IELTS Online, and scores are valid for two years from the test date. An undergraduate degree from an English-medium institution, with a medium of instruction certificate, waives the test; a master's normally does not. You can apply before your score arrives.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your BNBU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU), formerly BNU-HKBU United International College (UIC) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does BNBU (UIC) need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 for undergraduates and 6.5 with each band at least 5.5 for research postgraduates.
Can Indian students use Class 12 English instead of IELTS at BNBU?+
Yes. BNBU accepts Indian Grade 12 English at 75% for undergraduate entry.
Does BNBU accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Not for research postgraduate admission, where One Skill Retake, IELTS Online and IELTS Indicator are excluded.
Is UIC the same as BNBU?+
Yes. The uic.edu.cn site now redirects to bnbu.edu.cn under the new name.
Keep reading
Related
- HKBU IELTS requirement
- IELTS for China
- University of Nottingham Ningbo China IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy