Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
XJTLU English scores by level
From XJTLU's international undergraduate, master's and PhD entry requirement pages:
| Level | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Year 1 entry | 5.0, minimum 4.5 in all sections | TOEFL iBT 62 |
| Undergraduate, Year 2 entry | 6.5, minimum 5.5 in all sections | TOEFL iBT 90, minimum 21 in any skill |
| Master's (most programmes) | 6.0 or 6.5, minimum 5.5 in all sections | TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic |
| Master's: Applied Linguistics, Child Development, Global Public Policy & IR | 6.5, minimum 6.0 | TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic |
| Master's: Digital Media & Global Communication, TESOL | 7.0, minimum 6.0 | TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic |
| PhD | 6.5 (5.5 or 6.0) up to 7.0 (6.0 or 6.5) by programme | PTE 61 to 69; TOEFL iBT 88 to 100 or 4.5 |
Master's test rules for 2027 entry
For 2027 entry, master's applicants can use only IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic, taken no earlier than 1 January 2025. One Skill Retake is accepted within 60 days of the original test, but TOEFL MyBest Scores are not.
You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, or hold a recent degree from such a country or a degree taught and assessed in English (not a Chinese joint venture programme) with a proficiency letter.
Free test: are you at XJTLU'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.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Pre-sessional route
If you are 0.5 of an overall IELTS band short and meet the course conditions, you may be accepted onto XJTLU's Pre-Sessional English course, subject to Programme Director approval. Completing it can make your offer unconditional for English.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your XJTLU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) 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 score do I need for XJTLU undergraduate?+
IELTS 5.0 with at least 4.5 in all sections for Year 1, or 6.5 with 5.5 in all sections for Year 2 entry.
What IELTS do I need for an XJTLU master's?+
Usually 6.0 or 6.5 with 5.5 in all sections; some programmes need 6.5 or 7.0 with 6.0.
Does XJTLU accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Yes, for master's and PhD applicants if taken within 60 days of the original test.
Does XJTLU accept Duolingo?+
For 2027 master's entry, only IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic are accepted.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Nottingham Ningbo China IELTS requirement
- University of Liverpool IELTS requirement
- IELTS for China
- IELTS One Skill Retake explained
- 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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