Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Tennessee TOEFL minimums by level
From UT's undergraduate international students page and the Graduate School's testing requirements page. The graduate page gives 21 and 22 January 2026 as the cut-off dates, as shown.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 79 (before 21 January 2026) or 4 (after) | UT says minimum subscores may be considered in future |
| Graduate (before 21 January 2026) | 80 | At least 20 in speaking and writing |
| Graduate (on or after 22 January 2026) | 4.5 | At least 4 in speaking and writing |
How Tennessee handles TOEFL scores
The Graduate School accepts the TOEFL iBT including the Computer Based, Home Edition, MyBest and Paper Edition versions, reported electronically by the testing agency to institution code 1843. Scores are valid if submitted with the application within two years of the test date.
Undergraduate admissions notes that UT Knoxville is an ETS partner and links to TOEFL iBT registration.
For comparison, the undergraduate page sets IELTS at 6.5, and the graduate page asks for 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0.
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If your TOEFL score is below Tennessee's level
Undergraduates who meet every requirement except English can be offered conditional admission and referred to the ESL programme at UT's English Language Institute, joining their degree when they are ready. You can also improve on your own and send a qualifying score. Completing the institute's core intensive curriculum with a faculty recommendation also meets the undergraduate requirement.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Tennessee programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does the University of Tennessee need for undergraduates?+
79 for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4 for later tests.
What TOEFL score does the UT Graduate School need?+
80 with 20 in speaking and writing, or 4.5 with 4 in speaking and writing for tests from 22 January 2026.
Does UT Knoxville accept TOEFL MyBest?+
Yes. The Graduate School lists MyBest among accepted TOEFL iBT versions.
What is the University of Tennessee's TOEFL code?+
1843 for the Graduate School.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Tennessee IELTS requirement
- University of Georgia TOEFL requirement
- TOEFL 1 to 6 score scale explained
- TOEFL score report explained
- All 3797 guides
Guide updated on 31 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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