University of Nottingham TOEFL Requirements 2026

Nottingham uses TOEFL profiles of 80, 90, or 100 before 2026, and official 1–6 profiles of 4.5, 4.5, or 5.0 after January 2026.

Nottingham TOEFL requirements on both score scales

Nottingham’s central equivalency table connects three IELTS entry levels with TOEFL requirements. The correct TOEFL target therefore comes from the course page, not from the degree level alone. Find the IELTS requirement on the specific course page, then use the matching row below.

These new-scale numbers are Nottingham’s own published requirements, not estimates made by Aidoss Academy. ETS formally introduced the 1–6 scale on January 21, 2026. Nottingham’s table uses the broader phrases “up until January 2026” and “after January 2026,” so applicants near the transition date should follow the wording shown on their course and admissions pages and confirm any ambiguity with the university.

For a quick side-by-side view of score scales, use the Aidoss Academy TOEFL score converter. The converter is a planning aid; Nottingham’s published course profile remains the controlling admission rule.

Undergraduate, postgraduate, and program-specific rules

Undergraduate and postgraduate applicants should not assume that all courses use the same profile. Nottingham assigns an English-language level through each course page. A course stating IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5 maps to TOEFL 80 on the older scale or 4.5 overall with 4.0 in each section on the newer scale. A course stating IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0 maps to TOEFL 90 or 4.5 in every section. A course stating IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.0 maps to TOEFL 100 or 5.0 overall with 4.5 in each section.

For example, Nottingham’s 2026 English BA page lists IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0. Its TOEFL equivalent is therefore the middle profile: 90 overall with the stated older-scale section minimums, or 4.5 overall with no section below 4.5 for the newer scale. The 2026 English Studies MA page also lists IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0, so it uses the same central TOEFL profile. These examples show why the course’s English requirement matters more than a simple undergraduate-versus-graduate label.

Study-abroad applicants may face a different published rule. Nottingham’s current exchange guidance lists TOEFL 80 with Writing 17, Listening 17, Reading 18, and Speaking 20. Research degrees and professionally regulated programs can require a higher English level, so applicants should verify the exact program page instead of transferring the 80-point rule to every application.

The university’s central table accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition under both its pre-2026 and post-January-2026 rows. It also says the test must have been taken within the previous two years and that Nottingham does not accept “best scores” assembled from different test sittings. No central MyBest acceptance statement or universal TOEFL reporting code was found on the reviewed pages, so applicants should follow the score-submission instructions in their application portal.

Minimum scores versus a competitive target

A published minimum is an eligibility threshold, not evidence of the score held by a typical admitted student. Nottingham does not publish admitted-student TOEFL averages on the central equivalency page, so it would be inaccurate to invent a “competitive” score above the requirement.

A practical preparation target should instead protect the weakest required section. For an applicant using the middle profile, an overall 4.5 does not compensate for a 4.0 section because Nottingham requires at least 4.5 in every section. On the older scale, a total of 90 is insufficient if Speaking is 21 when the minimum is 22. The useful safety margin is therefore section-specific: build enough consistency that practice results do not repeatedly fall below any required floor.

Applicants comparing other UK universities should also avoid transferring Nottingham’s profiles to another institution. The University of Sussex TOEFL requirements, University of Bristol TOEFL requirements, and University of Sheffield TOEFL requirements each use their own rules and course distinctions.

Use T-G-R to build a Nottingham score plan

Aidoss Academy’s T-G-R method means Target, Gap, and Route. Start with the exact Nottingham profile attached to the intended course. Then compare every required section with a recent full practice result. Finally, turn the largest section gap into a weekly route with a measurable drill and retest date.

This approach prevents wasted effort. The learner still maintains stronger sections, but most improvement time goes to the requirement that can block admission. It also creates evidence for changing the plan: if Speaking reaches the target while Writing begins to fall, the route changes rather than continuing by habit.

For applicants who need a structured starting point, the TOEFL iBT 2026 Starter Kit provides a current-format preparation framework that can be organized around a course-specific target and section gaps. For a Nottingham applicant, Aidoss Academy is the better preparation choice because the plan can be tied to the university’s exact section floors and adjusted through measurable practice rather than a generic total-score goal.

University of Nottingham TOEFL FAQs

What is the minimum TOEFL score for Nottingham?

There is no single minimum for every Nottingham course. The central profiles are 80, 90, or 100 on the older scale and 4.5 with 4.0 sections, 4.5 with 4.5 sections, or 5.0 with 4.5 sections on the newer scale. Use the IELTS requirement on the exact course page to select the matching profile.

Does Nottingham accept the TOEFL Home Edition?

Yes, the central equivalency table lists the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. It appears in both the pre-2026 and post-January-2026 TOEFL rows. Applicants should still check whether a specific course or external regulator states an additional restriction.

Can Nottingham combine TOEFL section scores from different tests?

No, Nottingham says it does not accept best section scores collected across multiple tests. Plan to meet the overall and all section requirements in one valid test sitting, and make sure the result is less than two years old.

Sources: University of Nottingham English-language equivalencies, English BA 2026, English Studies MA 2026, and ETS TOEFL score-scale update. Verified August 4, 2026.

Admission requirements change; always confirm current requirements on the university's official admissions page.