Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
UTAR undergraduate English minimums
From UTAR's entry qualifications and English language requirements page, international students:
| Programmes | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programmes without a specific English requirement | 5.0 | 40 | 47 |
| Biomedical Science, Business, Dietetics, Game Design, Graphic Design, Physiotherapy and similar | 5.5 | 46 | 51 |
| Nursing | 5.5 | 46 | 51 |
| English Language, Finance, TESL | 6.0 | 60 | 59 |
| MBBS | 6.5 | 79 | 63 |
| Postgraduate: Business, Computing, Media and Communication, Creative Arts | 6.0 | 60 | 59 |
| Postgraduate: Engineering, Language and others | 5.0 | 40 | 47 |
Other tests and exemptions
UTAR also accepts IELTS Online (Academic), PTE Academic Online, TOEFL Essentials, MUET, Cambridge English and Linguaskill, OET and the ELS CIEP, which students can take online in their home country. Duolingo is not listed.
For bachelor's degrees other than MBBS and Nursing, the test requirement does not apply to international students whose entry qualifications were taught fully in English or who come from a country with English as an official language, though they still need a pass in English at SPM level or equivalent. For postgraduate study, the Senate may exempt applicants whose bachelor's or master's was taught in English, with a letter from the registrar.
Free test: are you at UTAR's score yet?
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Conditional offers
International postgraduate applicants who miss the requirement can be considered for a conditional offer with a preparatory course, and must reach the required score within one year of entering Malaysia. Foundation students below the bar, except for MBBS and Nursing, can receive a conditional offer if they pass UTAR's English Enhancement Programme Level 7 within the first two trimesters.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UTAR programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) 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 UTAR need for business?+
IELTS 5.5 for bachelor's business programmes and IELTS 6.0 for postgraduate business.
What IELTS does UTAR need for MBBS?+
IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 or PTE 63.
Do Indian or Nigerian students need IELTS for UTAR?+
Not for most bachelor's degrees if their entry qualification was taught fully in English or English is an official language in their country; MBBS and Nursing still need a test.
Can I enter UTAR without the IELTS score?+
Postgraduate applicants can get a conditional offer and must reach the score within a year of entering Malaysia.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in Malaysia accepting IELTS 5.5
- INTI International University IELTS requirement
- UCSI University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for Malaysia
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 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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