What TOEFL score do you need for Stanford?

Graduate applicants who do not meet an exemption must send an official TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic score. Stanford accepts MyBest scores, and the admission committee sees all TOEFL scores it receives. You can self-report MyBest scores either by listing each contributing test or as one entry dated with the "as of" date on your latest report.

Stanford's ETS institution code is 4704; any department code works. Stanford treats English test scores as valid for two years, and for autumn 2027-28 entry the earliest valid TOEFL or IELTS test date is 1 September 2024. Programmes may enforce a stricter validity period.

For comparison, the same graduate page sets IELTS at 7 for admission consideration and 8 for exemption from the placement test.

The graduate page does not describe conditional admission below the minimum. If you are admitted with a score under 5.5 (or 109), you take the English Placement Test shortly before your first quarter, and the English for Speakers of Other Languages programme decides whether language courses are required or recommended. You do not need a test score if you meet one of the exemption criteria listed on the page.

Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Stanford programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.