Undergraduate English requirement at HKU (international applicants)
These scores are on HKU's English language requirement page for international qualifications. Test scores must come from one attempt taken within two years before your programme starts on 1 September. IELTS Indicator / IELTS Online, TOEFL ITP, ITP Plus and the TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted.
Instead of a test, HKU accepts school English results such as IB, GCSE/IGCSE, A Level and several national curricula. One year of full-time bachelor's study taught or examined in English at a recognised university also counts. PTE, Duolingo and Cambridge C1/C2 exams are not listed.
| Test or qualification | Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, 6.0 in Writing and Speaking |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 5.0 overall, 5.0 in Writing and Speaking |
| TOEFL iBT (before 21 Jan 2026) | 95 overall, 25 in Writing and Speaking |
| SAT | 610 in Reading and Writing |
| IB | English A grade 5, or English B grade 6 (HL/SL) |
| GCSE / GCE O Level English Language | Grade B or 6 |
| India (Grade 12 English) | 90% |
| PTE Academic / Duolingo | Not listed by HKU |
Postgraduate English requirement (taught and research)
HKU's taught postgraduate admission requirements apply the test to applicants whose degree is from a university outside Hong Kong that does not teach or examine in English. Faculty of Arts applicants (with named exceptions) need IELTS 7.0 and a TOEFL Writing floor. From the 2026 intake, tests must be within two years before 1 September.
The Graduate School's MPhil/PhD requirements want one attempt within two years, with the official report sent by ETS or the British Council. TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted, and CET-6/TEM-8 cannot substitute. Neither page lists PTE or Duolingo.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Taught master's (most faculties) | 6.0, no subtest below 5.5 | 80 (old) or 4.5 (new scale) |
| Taught master's, Faculty of Arts | 7.0, no subtest below 5.5 | Also Writing 25 (old) or 5 (new) |
| MPhil / PhD (most faculties) | 6.5, all sub-scores 6.0+ | 85 (old) or 4.5 (new scale) |
| MPhil / PhD, Faculty of Arts | 7.0, all sub-scores 6.0+ | Also Writing 25 (old) or 5 (new) |
| Cambridge Test of Proficiency in English | Grade C or above (taught and research) | — |
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If you are choosing between IELTS and PTE for HKU, choose IELTS or TOEFL: neither the undergraduate nor the postgraduate pages list PTE Academic.
Take IELTS at a test centre. HKU's undergraduate page excludes IELTS Online, and its research page excludes One Skill Retake.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your HKU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
Does HKU accept PTE?+
PTE Academic is not listed on HKU's undergraduate, taught postgraduate or research postgraduate English requirement pages.
Does HKU accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not listed on any of HKU's English requirement pages.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at HKU?+
6.0 overall with no subtest below 5.5 for most taught programmes, or 7.0 with no subtest below 5.5 in the Faculty of Arts. Programme pages can set higher scores.
Does HKU accept IELTS Online or TOEFL Home Edition?+
Not for undergraduates: HKU excludes IELTS Indicator / IELTS Online and the TOEFL Home Edition. The Graduate School also excludes the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and One Skill Retake.
Can I skip IELTS for HKU?+
Undergraduates can use qualifying school English grades or one year of English-medium bachelor's study. Taught postgraduates whose degree was taught or examined in English are outside the test requirement.
Keep reading
Related
- CUHK IELTS requirement
- HKUST IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Hong Kong
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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