Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
Geneva Graduate Institute accepted tests
From the Institute's application page. One standard applies to every master's and PhD programme, and it does not list programme-specific thresholds.
| Test | Single test | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or Academic Online | Overall 7.0, each section 6.5 | No more than 12 months past the official expiry date |
| IELTS from different tests or One Skill Retake | One overall 7.0, each section 7.0 across tests | As above |
| TOEFL iBT or Home Edition | 100 (reading 19, listening 20, speaking 20, writing 24) | No more than 24 months after the test date |
| TOEFL My Best Score | 100 (reading 24, listening 24, speaking 23, writing 27) | As above |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | Total 185, each subscore 180 | No more than 36 months past the test date |
Exemptions and tests not accepted
Exempt are native English speakers who used English as their primary language at home and throughout their education, and applicants with at least one year of full-time university study where English was the only medium of instruction, with good academic results. An English Literature or EFL degree from a university in a non-English-speaking country, where the local language is the main medium, does not qualify.
Cambridge Linguaskill, Duolingo and other tests are not accepted, and the page lists no PTE Academic. The 1 to 6 scale equivalents the page prints for TOEFL are indicative only. Applicants who combine tests or use the IELTS One Skill Retake need 7.0 in every section.
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Conditional offers and how to check
The Institute can evaluate your file with only a confirmed test appointment, but admission is conditional on a qualifying certificate by 30 May, and failing to provide it may lead to the offer being rescinded. The FAQ says most results are valid for 2 years, which conflicts with the test-specific rules above, so write to prospective@graduateinstitute.ch if your test is near the limit.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Geneva Graduate Institute programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the Geneva Graduate Institute (IHEID) 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 Geneva Graduate Institute need?+
IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each section on a single test, which is its C1 standard.
Does the Graduate Institute accept Duolingo?+
No. Duolingo and Cambridge Linguaskill are not accepted.
Can I combine IELTS tests for the Graduate Institute?+
Yes, but you then need an overall 7.0 on one test and at least 7.0 in each section across tests, including One Skill Retake results.
Does the Graduate Institute accept TOEFL?+
Yes. TOEFL iBT 100 with at least 19 in reading, 20 in listening, 20 in speaking and 24 in writing.
When must I show my English certificate?+
By 30 May. Admission is conditional until you do, and the offer may be rescinded otherwise.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in Switzerland accepting IELTS 7.0
- ETH Zurich IELTS requirement
- University of Lausanne IELTS requirement
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 5669 guides
Guide updated on 4 November 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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