Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
CIU English requirement
From CIU's international admission requirements page.
| Programme | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | If you have neither |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 5.5 | 65 | CIU English proficiency exam on campus after arrival |
| Master's | 5.5 | 65 | CIU English proficiency exam on campus after arrival |
| PhD | 5.5 | 65 | CIU English proficiency exam on campus after arrival |
Admission steps
You apply online with your school certificate or degree (CIU names O and A levels and WAEC/NECO as examples), passport and, if you have it, an English certificate. Eligible applicants receive a Conditional Acceptance Letter, pay the initial deposit it states, and then receive the Acceptance Letter used for the transit visa.
CIU's page does not list PTE, Duolingo or band minimums.
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How to check
Applications go through the CIU application portal or CIU's local representative offices. Confirm any English condition on your Conditional Acceptance Letter before you pay the deposit.
Requirements vary by programme and change between intakes. The score that binds you is the one on your CIU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Cyprus International University (CIU) 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 Cyprus International University need?+
IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 65 for undergraduate, master's and PhD programmes.
Can I apply to CIU without IELTS?+
Yes. Students without IELTS or TOEFL take CIU's English proficiency exam on campus after arrival.
Does CIU accept PTE?+
CIU's admission page names only TOEFL and IELTS. Ask the International Office about PTE.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Cyprus
- Eastern Mediterranean University IELTS requirement
- European University of Lefke IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- 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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