Malaysia is a popular destination for international students because of its affordable tuition costs, educational opportunities, and diverse cultural experiences. The country also offers various scholarship opportunities for international students. Many Malaysian universities accept several internationally recognized English proficiency tests, although the tests and minimum scores accepted vary by university and program. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized assessment used to evaluate the English-language proficiency of nonnative speakers. In this article, we discuss seven Malaysian universities that accept TOEFL scores.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Universities in Malaysia
Here are seven institutions in Malaysia that accept TOEFL scores. The requirements below are based on the universities’ currently published information and generally use the legacy 0–120 TOEFL iBT scale. Requirements may vary by program, and applicants should check the relevant program page before applying.
| INSTITUTION NAME | PUBLISHED TOEFL iBT REQUIREMENT (UNDERGRADUATE) | PUBLISHED TOEFL iBT REQUIREMENT (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| University of Malaya | 60 for general admission; some programs vary | Commonly 60; program-specific |
| Universiti Teknologi Malaysia | 46; 79 for TESL | 60; 95 for TESL |
| Universiti Putra Malaysia | Commonly 60; program-specific | 72 for a full offer; 58–71 may qualify for a provisional offer |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia | 40 generally; some programs require more | 40 generally; some programs require more |
| Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS | 40; 46 for Business Management | Confirm with UTP |
| Universiti Utara Malaysia | 40; English support may be required | 60 for direct admission; 46–59 with an English support course |
| Multimedia University | Program-specific | Generally 40–60, depending on the program |
1. University of Malaya
Located in Kuala Lumpur, the University of Malaya is a public research university. It is Malaysia’s highest-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2027, where it is ranked 56th. The university’s general undergraduate admissions information lists a TOEFL iBT score of 60, but individual program pages may publish different requirements. Graduate requirements are also program-specific, with many programs accepting a minimum score of 60 and some requiring a higher score. Applicants should therefore follow the requirement stated on the page for their intended program.
2. University of Technology Malaysia
- TOEFL Requirement
- TOEFL iBT score: minimum of 46 for most undergraduate programs and 60 for most graduate programs
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a public research-intensive university. It is ranked 158th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
For most undergraduate programs, UTM requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 46. The Teaching English as a Second Language program requires 79. Most postgraduate applicants need a score of at least 60, while postgraduate Teaching English as a Second Language applicants need 95. Applicants who do not meet the general postgraduate requirement may be required to complete an English-language program, such as the Intensive English Programme at UTM or an approved Certified Intensive English Programme.
3. University of Putra Malaysia
Located in Selangor, Universiti Putra Malaysia is a public research university. Many undergraduate programs list a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 60, although some programs have higher requirements. For graduate admission, a legacy TOEFL iBT score of 72 or higher generally meets the English-language requirement for a full offer. Applicants with scores from 58 to 71 may be considered for a provisional offer and may need to satisfy additional English-language conditions. Applicants should check the requirements for their chosen program because higher standards may apply.
4. University of Science, Malaysia
Universiti Sains Malaysia is a public research university commonly known in English as the University of Science, Malaysia. It is ranked 128th in the QS World University Rankings 2027. The university’s general English-language requirement for international undergraduate and graduate applicants includes a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 40. However, some courses require higher scores, so applicants must review the requirements for their intended program.
5. Petronas Technology University
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) is a research university in Seri Iskandar, Perak. For undergraduate admission, UTP lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 40 for its engineering, science, technology, and computing programs. Business Management requires a minimum score of 46. UTP’s current postgraduate entry-requirements page associates scores of 500 and 550 with the TOEFL iBT or Essentials label, although those figures do not correspond to the TOEFL iBT scoring range. Graduate applicants should contact UTP to confirm the required TOEFL test format and score before applying.
6. Northern University of Malaysia
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), located in Sintok, Kedah, is a public university specializing in management education. International undergraduate applicants may be admitted with a TOEFL iBT score of 40, although English-language preparation or support may be required depending on their score and program. For direct postgraduate admission, applicants need a TOEFL iBT score of at least 60. Applicants with scores from 46 to 59 may be admitted on the condition that they complete the university’s designated English-language support course.
7. Multimedia University
Multimedia University became Malaysia’s first private university in 1996. Its TOEFL requirements vary by qualification and field of study. Current postgraduate program information lists minimum TOEFL iBT scores that commonly range from 40 to 60. Applicants should consult the entry requirements for their specific master’s or Ph.D. program rather than relying on a single university-wide score.
We hope this article has provided useful information about TOEFL requirements in Malaysia. In addition to the TOEFL, many universities accept other English proficiency exams, including IELTS and the Pearson Test of English. Accepted tests and minimum scores vary by institution and program.
For more information about English-language requirements, visit the English Language Proficiency Exam Page. If you are interested, you can also explore the Study in Malaysia and Available Programs for International Students!
