Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
University of Iceland English scores
From the University of Iceland's English proficiency requirements.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate: Education, Engineering and Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, Social Sciences | 6.5 | TOEFL 4 (old 79); PTE 58 |
| Graduate: most Humanities programmes | 6.5 | TOEFL 4.5 (old 86); PTE 60 |
| MA English, English teaching, Literature, Culture and Media | 7.5 | TOEFL 5.5 (old 107); PTE 76 |
| International undergraduate programmes | 6.5 | TOEFL 4 (old 79); PTE 58 |
| BA English | 7.0 | TOEFL 5 (old 95); PTE 65 |
No medium of instruction waiver
The university says medium of instruction is not valid proof. The only exemption is previous study taught in English in a majority English-speaking country: the UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada. Applicants from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Bangladesh therefore need a test.
Accepted tests are TOEFL iBT (test centre or home), IELTS Academic at a test centre, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and PTE Academic (test centre or online). Duolingo is not listed.
Free test: are you at the University of Iceland'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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Deadline and verification
Scores are only valid if the university can verify them online, so results cannot be older than two years. Attach the score sheet or proof of your test booking to the online application; if you cannot, send it no later than 1 February. Without proof by the deadline, the application cannot be processed.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your University of Iceland programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Iceland 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 the University of Iceland need?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 for most international programmes. The MA in English and related programmes need 7.5, and the BA in English needs 7.0.
Does the University of Iceland accept a medium of instruction letter?+
No, unless your earlier study was in the UK, USA, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia or Canada.
Does the University of Iceland accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 58 for most programmes, taken at a test centre or online.
Does the University of Iceland accept IELTS Online?+
The page lists IELTS Academic taken in a test centre, so IELTS Online is not among the accepted forms.
Keep reading
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- How long is IELTS valid?
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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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