China offers international students opportunities to study in a wide range of academic fields. For applicants interested in studying in China, TOEFL scores can be used as one way to demonstrate English proficiency for many English-taught programs at Chinese universities. Requirements vary by university, degree level, and program, so applicants should confirm the current admissions criteria for their selected course before applying.
From Zhejiang University to Fudan University, the institutions below accept TOEFL scores for at least some English-taught programs. This guide summarizes the published requirements and highlights where applicants need to check a program-specific admissions page.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Universities in China
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| Zhejiang University | Program-specific; an English test score report is required for English-taught programs | 90 for English-taught programs |
| Peking University | Not listed as a general undergraduate minimum | 100 for English-taught programs |
| Tsinghua University | Program-specific; an English test score report is required for English-taught programs | Program-specific; for example, Advanced Computing requires 85 |
| Shanghai Jiao Tong University | 90 for the English-taught Engineering Cluster | 85 overall, with section minimums, for English-taught programs |
| Nanjing University | Not applicable; undergraduate majors are Chinese-taught | 85 for English-taught master’s programs |
| Xi’an Jiaotong University | 80 for English-taught programs | 80 for English-taught programs |
| Fudan University | Program-specific; check the current program page | 90 for English-taught postgraduate programs |
Note: Many university admissions pages still publish TOEFL iBT requirements on the comparable 0–120 scale. ETS introduced a 1–6 TOEFL iBT scoring scale in January 2026 and is also providing a comparable 0–120 overall score during a two-year transition period. Applicants should review the university’s current instructions and the TOEFL iBT scoring information before applying.
1. Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University is located in Hangzhou. For undergraduate English-taught programs, applicants whose native language is not English must submit an English proficiency test score report, such as TOEFL or IELTS. The current undergraduate guide does not publish one university-wide TOEFL minimum. For English-taught graduate programs, the university lists a minimum TOEFL score of 90. Applicants should check the requirements for their selected program before applying.
Depending on the program, applicants may also be able to submit other accepted evidence of English proficiency or qualify for an exemption.
2. Peking University
- TOEFL Requirement | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- TOEFL iBT Score: English-taught graduate programs require a minimum score of 100; the undergraduate pathways listed by Peking University do not publish a general TOEFL minimum.
Peking University offers undergraduate and graduate study options for international students. Its listed international undergraduate pathways are Chinese-medium programs with separate Chinese language and admissions requirements. For English-taught graduate programs, applicants whose native language is not English must submit a TOEFL iBT score of at least 100, a GRE score of at least 315, or other accepted proof of English proficiency. Applicants should also check the requirements for their selected graduate program.
Because the requirements differ by degree level and program, applicants should not treat the graduate TOEFL threshold as a university-wide rule for every course.
3. Tsinghua University
Tsinghua University, located in Beijing, accepts TOEFL scores as evidence of English proficiency for relevant programs. However, it does not publish one university-wide TOEFL minimum that applies to every undergraduate and graduate course. Undergraduate applicants to English-taught programs must provide an official English proficiency test result, while graduate requirements depend on the school, department, or program. For example, the Advanced Computing program requires a minimum TOEFL score of 85 or an IELTS score of 6.5.
Applicants should review the admissions page for their selected program rather than relying on a general TOEFL score range.
Here is what Global Scholarships profiles say about TOEFL:
“I already had my TOEFL exam done … with the help of some YouTube videos and online mock tests, it is easy to crack.”
Pallavi Sareen
“As I did my undergraduate studies in an academic institute that uses English as its teaching language, I did not undertake another English language exam.”
Christy Un
“I ended up achieving a score of 110.”
Dimitria Costa
4. Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU)
- TOEFL Requirement | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- TOEFL iBT Score: English-taught Engineering Cluster undergraduate applicants require a minimum score of 90; English-taught graduate applicants require an overall score of 85, with section minimums.
Shanghai Jiao Tong University accepts TOEFL scores for relevant English-taught programs. The English-taught Engineering Cluster undergraduate program requires a TOEFL iBT score of at least 90. For English-taught graduate programs, the university generally requires an overall TOEFL score of at least 85, including minimum section scores of 22 in writing and 20 each in reading, listening, and speaking. Scores must be valid within the period specified by the university, and some programs may set different requirements.
5. Nanjing University
Nanjing University offers international applicants a range of study options. Its undergraduate majors are taught in Chinese, so the university does not list a general undergraduate TOEFL requirement. Applicants should review the Chinese language requirements for the undergraduate program they plan to pursue.
For English-taught master’s programs, Nanjing University lists a minimum TOEFL score of 85. Applicants interested in doctoral study or a scholarship should check the admissions page for the relevant program because additional conditions may apply.
6. Xi’an Jiaotong University
Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) is located in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province. The university describes itself as a comprehensive research institution with strengths in science and technology. For English-taught programs, applicants must generally submit a TOEFL score of at least 80, an IELTS score of at least 6.0, or another approved English proficiency certificate.
Applicants should also review the brochure for their selected program because additional eligibility requirements may apply.
7. Fudan University
Fudan University, located in Shanghai, accepts TOEFL scores for relevant English-taught programs. Its current admissions information for English-taught postgraduate programs lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90. It also lists IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, and PTE Academic options, as well as exemption criteria for eligible applicants.
Undergraduate applicants should review the admissions page for their selected English-taught program because Fudan University does not publish one general undergraduate TOEFL minimum that applies to every course.
TOEFL Scores of Students Studying in China
FAQs about Studying in China
What Type of TOEFL Exam is Accepted in China?
Universities set their own English proficiency policies. The seven pages above accept TOEFL iBT scores for at least some English-taught programs, but accepted formats and minimums vary. TOEFL iBT evaluates reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. ETS now reports TOEFL iBT scores on a 1–6 scale and, during a two-year transition after January 2026, also provides a comparable 0–120 overall score. Always confirm the accepted score format on the university or program page before applying.
What TOEFL iBT score is competitive for top programs like Tsinghua?
Tsinghua does not publish one university-wide TOEFL minimum for every program. Applicants should check the target program or department. For example, the Advanced Computing program lists a TOEFL score of 85. Schwarzman Scholars lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 5 on the current 6-point scale or a comparable score of 100 on the 120-point scale for applicants who do not qualify for a waiver. A Global Scholarships profile reports a score of 110 for one Schwarzman Scholars recipient.
Will I be exempt from TOEFL if I’m a native speaker or studied in English?
Exemptions depend on the university and program. For example, Schwarzman Scholars waives the English proficiency test requirement for applicants whose native language is English and for applicants who studied at an undergraduate institution where the primary language of instruction was English for at least two years. It also grants an exemption to applicants who studied in English for two or more years at the master’s level or higher. A Global Scholarships profile describes one recipient’s exemption, but applicants should rely on the official criteria for their application year.
Universities such as Tsinghua, Peking, Nanjing, and the other institutions listed above accept TOEFL results as evidence of English proficiency for certain programs. However, requirements differ by institution, degree level, and course. Applicants should use the linked official admissions pages to confirm the current score threshold, accepted test format, validity period, and any exemption criteria before submitting an application.
We hope you found this article on Chinese universities accepting TOEFL scores helpful. If you are interested in studying in China, check out the China Page for more details. You can also find more resources for studying abroad on the English Language Proficiency Exam page and the Available Courses for International Students.
