Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Parma English scores
From Parma's application pages for International Business and Development, Communication Engineering and Food Safety and Food Risk Management.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| International Business and Development | 5.5+ | TOEFL 69+, FCE or CAE |
| Communication Engineering | 5.5+ (B2) | TOEFL 69+, FCE or CAE, Trinity, Pearson |
| Food Safety and Food Risk Management | 5.5+ | TOEFL 69+, FCE or CAE |
| Medicine and Surgery | B2 or higher | Per the programme's admission notice |
Exemptions
The Communication Engineering page exempts English mother-tongue students and students with official proof that their bachelor's was taught in English. Duolingo is not listed.
Italian is not mandatory to be admitted to a degree taught in English, but students must have their Italian level assessed before graduation; an Italian assessment test is provided within the course.
Free test: are you at the University of Parma's score yet?
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Medicine and how to check
For Medicine and Surgery, candidates must send a certificate proving at least B2, and Parma warns that missing the language requirement excludes you from later steps.
The 2026/27 application period has ended on the master's pages, so watch them for the 2027/28 window.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your University of Parma programme page and in your offer, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Parma 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 Parma need?+
IELTS 5.5 or above (B2) for its English-taught master's degrees.
What TOEFL score does Parma accept?+
TOEFL 69 or above.
Is IELTS waived at Parma for an English-taught bachelor's?+
Yes, with official proof that your bachelor's was taught in English.
Do I need Italian to study in English at Parma?+
Not for admission, but Parma assesses your Italian level before graduation.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Italy
- University of Bergamo IELTS requirement
- University of Bologna IELTS requirement
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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