KOI minimum English scores
From the "Minimum English requirements" table on KOI's international applicants entry requirement page, which says it covers all KOI courses, including TESOL. You need to meet only one of the criteria. TOEFL minimums depend on when you took the test.
| Test | Diploma and undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic only) | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | 6.5, no band below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50, no band below 42 | 58, no band below 50 |
| TOEFL iBT, before 21 Jan 2026 | 60 (L 11, S 17, R 12, W 20) | 80 (L 19, S 19, R 18, W 23) |
| TOEFL iBT, after 21 Jan 2026 | 3.5 (L 3, S 3, R 3, W 4) | 4 (L 4, S 3.5, R 4, W 4.5) |
| Cambridge CAE | 169, no band below 162 | 176, no band below 169 |
| Australian study | Certificate IV or higher of 12 months or more | Recognised bachelor's degree or higher |
Validity, school English and what is not listed
KOI says IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and CAE results are valid for two years. The same table accepts set grades in GCE O-Level and A-Level English, HKCEE and HKALE, and, for undergraduate entry only, the NSW HSC with 55% in English as a second language or 50% in English. A NSW HSC ATAR or other school or tertiary qualifications do not meet the English requirement for KOI's TESOL programs.
Duolingo, IELTS One Skill Retake and online tests such as IELTS Online are not stated by KOI, and the page does not list Indian or Nepali school English marks as English evidence. KOI's admissions policy is on its policies and forms page.
Free test: are you at KOI's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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If your English is below KOI's level
KOI says it usually advises an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) or English for Academic Purposes (EAP) with one of its Direct Entry Partners. It does not arrange that study for students or agents, so you book it yourself.
Academic entry is separate: KOI's bachelor's degrees ask for a Higher School Certificate or overseas equivalent with 60% (70% for the Bachelor of Information Technology), and master's degrees an Australian three-year bachelor's or overseas equivalent. KOI links a PDF of undergraduate academic entry scores by country from the same page.
Requirements vary by course, and KOI can change them between intakes. Always confirm the score on your course page before you book a test. Your student visa has its own English rules, set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Student visa (subclass 500) English rules
Your offer and your visa are assessed separately. If Home Affairs asks you for English evidence, the Student visa (subclass 500) page sets these minimums for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 47 or TOEFL iBT 67. With at least 10 weeks of ELICOS (or a Foundation or eligible Pathway program) packaged with your course they drop to 5.5, 39 and 51, and with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS to 5.0, 31 and 37.
The test must be taken within the 2 years before you lodge (Regular Evidence level), or within the 2 years before a decision if you are Streamlined Evidence level and asked for evidence. Tests delivered entirely online, such as IELTS Online and TOEFL iBT Home Edition, are not accepted for the visa, and from 21 January 2026 TOEFL candidates must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' when registering.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where King's Own Institute (KOI) 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 PTE score does KOI need?+
PTE Academic 50 with no band below 42 for diplomas and bachelor's degrees, and 58 with no band below 50 for postgraduate courses.
What IELTS do I need for the MBA at KOI?+
Academic IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, the postgraduate level that KOI applies to all its master's and graduate courses.
Does KOI accept General Training IELTS?+
No. KOI's table says Academic only; General is not accepted.
Does KOI accept the new TOEFL scale?+
Yes. For tests taken after 21 January 2026 KOI lists 3.5 overall for undergraduate entry and 4 for postgraduate, each with section minimums.
How long is IELTS valid for KOI?+
Two years. KOI says IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and CAE results are valid for two years.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Australia: scores by university and visa
- IELTS for the Student visa 500
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- Kaplan Business School IELTS requirement
- All 1288 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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