UM English scores by level
From UM's English language requirements page. Band or element minimums are in brackets.
| Test | Foundation / Junior College | Undergraduate | Postgraduate / doctoral |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic IELTS | 5.5 (W 5.0, R 5.0) | 6.0 (W 6.0; R, L, S 5.5) | 6.5 (6.0 in each) |
| PTE Academic | 59 (53 each) | 65 (59 each) | 71 (65 each) |
| TOEFL iBT, pre-January 2026 | 61 (W 17) | 80 (W 20) | 95 (W 24) |
| TOEFL iBT, from January 2026 | 3.5 (W 4) | 4 (W 4.5) | 5 (W 5) |
| Cambridge | First, grade C | Advanced, grade C | Advanced, grade C |
| UM's own ISET (band 1–7) | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Validity, One Skill Retake and deadlines
IELTS and TOEFL grades are valid only if issued within 2 years of the start of your course at UM. UM says Academic IELTS UKVI and IELTS One Skill Retake are also being considered. Trinity ISE is accepted at set grades, and the International Student English Test (ISET) is held on UM's campus. Duolingo is not listed.
Non-EU applicants who need a visa must submit the test result by 1 July for the October intake and 10 November for the February intake; other applicants by 30 September and 31 January. Without it you will not be admitted, even if you meet every other requirement. Research master's and PhD applicants submit the pass before they start.
Free test: are you at the University of Malta'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.
Free test: take an IELTS mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Who is exempt
UM's exemptions page covers nationals of English-speaking countries who completed secondary school there, or applicants with a full degree from a recognised institution in those countries, including the UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. India, Pakistan and Nepal are not on the list, so applicants from those countries need a test.
Some departments set their own levels: postgraduate courses in UM's Department of English, and the certificate for graduates of non-EU nursing programmes, have separate pages.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your UM programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Malta 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 Malta need for a master's?+
Academic IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in writing, reading, listening and speaking.
What PTE score does the University of Malta need?+
PTE Academic 65 (59 in each element) for undergraduate courses and 71 (65 in each) for postgraduate and doctoral courses.
Does the University of Malta accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not among the examining boards UM recognises.
Can Indian students skip IELTS at the University of Malta?+
No. India is not on UM's list of English-speaking countries whose secondary or degree studies exempt you.
When must I send my IELTS to UM?+
Non-EU applicants needing a visa: by 1 July for October entry or 10 November for February entry.
Keep reading
Related
Verified against the linked official sources on 13 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy