Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
BUE English entry routes
From the BUE admissions requirements page.
| Route | Minimum to skip the BUE English Test |
|---|---|
| Academic IELTS | 5.0 (valid 2 years) |
| Academic TOEFL | 60 (valid 2 years) |
| IGCSE / GCSE English | C / 4 |
| American Diploma | EST1/SAT1 520 in English, or ACT1 39 in English + Reading |
| French Baccalaureate | 15 in high school English |
| Canadian Diploma | 75% in high school English |
| German Abitur | 4 in high school English |
Thanawaya Amma and other certificates
Applicants with the Thanawaya Amma or an equivalent Arab, Azhari or other high school certificate must take the BUE English Test, or be exempted from it by submitting Academic IELTS 5.0 or Academic TOEFL 60. The IB English (SL/HL) and the Nile International Certificate (grade C) are also on the exemption list.
PTE and Duolingo are not on the BUE page. Some faculties hold extra steps: Arts and Design uses a portfolio or aptitude test, and Law holds interviews.
Free test: are you at BUE's score yet?
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How to check
The IELTS and TOEFL routes exempt you from the BUE English Test; they are not the only entry criteria. Faculty requirements and high school grades still apply.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your BUE programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the British University in Egypt (BUE) 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 the British University in Egypt need?+
Academic IELTS 5.0 exempts you from the BUE English Test. It must be valid, which BUE sets at two years.
Does BUE accept TOEFL?+
Yes. Academic TOEFL 60, valid for two years.
Do Thanawaya Amma students need IELTS for BUE?+
They must take the BUE English Test unless they submit Academic IELTS 5.0 or Academic TOEFL 60.
Can IGCSE English replace IELTS at BUE?+
Yes. IGCSE or GCSE English at C or 4 exempts international certificate holders from the BUE English Test.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Egypt
- American University in Cairo IELTS requirement
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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