Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Villanova TOEFL minimums by programme
From the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduate international applicants page and the undergraduate first-year applicants page.
| Level or programme | TOEFL minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy PhD, Theology PhD, Communication | 5 | Reading, writing and speaking 4.5; listening 5 |
| Computer Science, Higher Education Leadership, History, Political Science, Software Engineering, Theology MA, MMT, MTS | 4.5 | Graduate |
| All other liberal arts and sciences graduate programmes | 4 | Graduate |
| Undergraduate | No minimum published | TOEFL iBT listed as accepted |
How Villanova handles TOEFL scores
Graduate applicants must send official results from an in-person administration of the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic or Cambridge English, or from the online DET. Scores are valid from exams taken no more than two years before the programme's application deadline, and TOEFL scores go to school code 2959. Some programmes may also ask for an online interview.
For comparison, the same graduate page sets IELTS Academic at 7.5, 7 or 6.5 for the same three programme groups.
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If your TOEFL score is below Villanova's level
No conditional admission is described. Graduate applicants are exempt if they are citizens of Australia, Canada, the UK, Ireland or New Zealand, or earned their degree in the US or one of those countries. Undergraduates may be waived if English is their native language spoken at home, or after more than three consecutive years of English-medium secondary school.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Villanova programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does Villanova need for graduate study?+
In liberal arts and sciences: 4 for most programmes, 4.5 for programmes such as computer science and history, and 5 for the philosophy and theology PhDs and communication.
What is Villanova's TOEFL code?+
2959.
Does Villanova accept the TOEFL Home Edition for graduate study?+
The graduate page asks for an in-person administration of the TOEFL iBT.
What TOEFL score do Villanova undergraduates need?+
The undergraduate page lists the TOEFL iBT as accepted but gives no minimum.
Keep reading
Related
- Villanova University IELTS requirement
- Fordham TOEFL requirement
- The new TOEFL score scale (2026)
- 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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