Oxford TOEFL Requirements 2026: Scores (1–6 and 0–120)
Oxford requires 100 for standard-level graduate courses and 110 for higher-level courses. TOEFL tests taken from January 21, 2026 are not currently accepted while Oxford reviews the revised format.
Verified requirement
Graduate standard level: 100 overall, with Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
Graduate higher level: 110 overall, with the same listed section minimums. Each course page identifies which level applies.
Undergraduate: Oxford lists 110 overall with Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
New 1–6 scale: not currently accepted for tests taken from January 21, 2026 while the revised test is under review.
Last verified September 21, 2026. Always confirm on the official Oxford graduate admissions page or the official undergraduate page.
How the requirement works on the two score scales
| Old 0–120 score | Approximate 1–6 band | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | about 5.0 | Oxford graduate standard level, for accepted test dates |
| 107–113 | about 5.5 | Conversion band containing Oxford’s 110 higher level |
| 110 | about 5.5 | Oxford higher level and undergraduate target |
The approximate 1–6 bands in the table are useful only for general score planning. Oxford has not adopted them as an admissions rule. Its current policy is more restrictive: TOEFL tests taken from January 21, 2026 are not accepted to meet the English condition until Oxford completes its review of the revised test.
That means a candidate should not treat “about 5.5” as an Oxford-approved replacement for 110. During the broader 2026–2028 dual-reporting transition, old-scale numbers still appear on reports, but Oxford’s test-date restriction controls eligibility. Use the free TOEFL score converter to understand score bands, then verify whether your test date and course policy make TOEFL usable at all.
How competitive is Oxford really?
Oxford’s published English level is a condition, not a prediction of admission. Meeting 100 or 110 does not offset academic requirements, references, written work, or course-specific selection. The key competitiveness question is therefore not whether 110 looks stronger than 100, but whether your course requires the standard or higher level and whether every section minimum is met in one sitting.
Section math matters here. A total of 112 with Speaking 23 does not meet the listed Speaking minimum of 25. A candidate at 106 with all sections balanced is four points below the higher-level total and may need several weeks of targeted practice. The route should be based on the actual limiting condition, not on repeatedly chasing a higher total without checking component scores.
How to prepare for a 110 at Oxford
Apply T-G-R: Target, Gap, Route. First, confirm that the course uses the higher level and that TOEFL is accepted for your test date. Set the target as 110 plus the exact section floors. Take a timed diagnostic and compare every section with Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24. Then route practice to the section with the largest shortfall.
Suppose the diagnostic is 27 Reading, 25 Listening, 22 Speaking, and 24 Writing. The total is 98, but Speaking is the clearest immediate constraint because Oxford requires 25. Build the week around timed speaking responses, transcript review, and repeated correction of delivery and organization. Keep shorter reading and listening maintenance blocks so stronger sections remain stable.
Start with the free Essentials edition of the Aidoss Academy 90-Day Self-Study Planner to structure the section route, then use the Complete Digital edition for the full schedule and progress system.
Oxford TOEFL FAQ
Does Oxford accept the new 1–6 TOEFL scale in 2026?
Not currently for tests taken from January 21, 2026. Oxford says it will not accept those revised-format tests until its review is complete.
Is Oxford’s TOEFL requirement 100 or 110?
Both exist. Graduate courses use either the standard level of 100 or the higher level of 110, while undergraduate guidance lists 110.
Can a high total compensate for a low Oxford section score?
No. Oxford requires the overall score and every listed component minimum in a single test sitting.
Related TOEFL requirement pages
Cambridge TOEFL requirements, UChicago TOEFL requirements, and Penn TOEFL requirements. Browse the full TOEFL Requirements library.
Admission requirements change; always confirm current requirements on the university's official admissions page.
