Bachelor's English requirement
HKBU's international qualifications page lists the results it recognises as meeting its minimum English requirement:
| Test or qualification | HKBU bachelor's minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 overall |
| TOEFL iBT / iBT Home Edition | 79 |
| SAT | 590 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing |
| ACT | 23 in both English and Reading |
| Cambridge English | Grade C in C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency |
| India Grade 12 English (SSC / ISC / All-India / HSC / PUC) | 75% |
| PTE Academic / Duolingo | Not listed |
Test dates and the India route
From 2027 entry, IELTS and TOEFL must be taken within two years before the start of the academic year; for 2027 entry, that means on or after 1 September 2025. IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL MyBest are not accepted. HKBU's bachelor's table gives TOEFL only on the 0-120 scale.
Indian applicants need a minimum average of 75% at Standard XII from CBSE, CISCE, NIOS or a state board, and 75% in Grade 12 English meets the English requirement without IELTS.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free scored IELTS mock →Taught master's English requirement
The 2026-27 University Calendar says taught postgraduate applicants either hold a bachelor's from a recognised institution where English is the medium of instruction, or provide TOEFL iBT 79 or IELTS Academic 6.5 overall. Results must be within two years of the date the admission offer letter is issued; TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS Indicator are not accepted.
Programme pages can set different figures. The MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Business lists TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS Academic 6.0 or CET-6 450, and refuses TOEFL Home Edition, MyBest, IELTS Indicator, One Skill Retake and IELTS Online. Where the two disagree, confirm with the programme.
HKBU's English pages we read do not set a separate English score for the student visa or permit. Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your HKBU programme page and in your admission decision, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does HKBU accept PTE?+
PTE Academic is not on HKBU's bachelor's list or in the taught postgraduate rules in the University Calendar.
Does HKBU accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not listed on the HKBU pages we read.
Is IELTS 6.0 enough for an HKBU master's?+
The University Calendar asks 6.5, but some programme pages, such as the MSc in AI and Business, list 6.0. Check your programme.
Do CBSE students need IELTS for HKBU?+
Not for a bachelor's if they score at least 75% in Grade 12 English, which HKBU recognises as meeting its English requirement.
How old can my IELTS be for HKBU?+
For 2027 bachelor's entry, taken on or after 1 September 2025. For taught postgraduate study, within two years of the offer letter date.
Keep reading
Related
- CUHK IELTS requirement
- HKU IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Hong Kong
- How long is IELTS valid?
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page 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