Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
USP English requirements by level
From the USP 2026 Handbook and Calendar, admission requirements for international applicants:
| Test | Foundation | Diploma and undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.0 (Writing 5.0) | 6.0 (Writing 6.0) | 6.5 (Writing 6.5) |
| TOEFL iBT | Not listed | 60 (Writing 22) | 79 (Writing 24) |
| PTE Academic | 42, no score below 35 | 50, no score below 42 | 58, no score below 50 |
| Cambridge (CAE) | 47 | 52 | 58 |
| English-medium study | 2 years of secondary school | 3 years of secondary school, or 1 year of undergraduate study | 2 years of undergraduate study |
Who counts as international
USP defines international applicants as citizens of countries that are not USP member countries. They must meet both the English requirement and USP's academic equivalency guidelines. When test scores are used, they must have been achieved within two years of the application date. IB results also count: Standard Level 5 for Foundation and Higher Level 4 for degrees.
Free test: are you at USP's score yet?
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If you fall short
Applicants who miss the English requirement but meet everything else may be admitted to an Unclassified Programme. Preliminary Studies needs the equivalent of IELTS 4.0. Most new undergraduate students also sit USP's own English Language Skills Assessment (ELSA), and those scoring below 6.0 must pass EL001 before taking 200 or 300 level courses; postgraduate and foundation students do not sit it.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your USP programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where The University of the South Pacific (USP) 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 the South Pacific need?+
IELTS 6.0 with 6.0 in Writing for diplomas and bachelor's degrees, and 6.5 with 6.5 in Writing for postgraduate study.
Does USP accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 50 (no score below 42) for degrees and 58 (no score below 50) for postgraduate study.
Can Indian students skip IELTS at USP?+
Two years of full-time English-medium undergraduate study meets the postgraduate requirement, and one year meets the undergraduate one.
How old can my IELTS be for USP?+
Scores must have been achieved within two years of the application date.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Fiji
- University of Auckland IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- How long is IELTS valid?
- 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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