Exam Requirements for International Applicants

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission.

TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Stanford does not accept IELTS scores.

English Language Exception:

Individuals who have earned a U.S. bachelor’s or master’s degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States

- OR -

The equivalent of either degree from a non-U.S. college or university of recognized standing where all instruction is provided in English. This exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken but not all instruction is provided in English.

NOTE: Being a U.S. citizen does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL; if the applicant’s first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit the TOEFL.

Scores must be submitted from a test taken within the last eighteen months.

We urge you to take the TOEFL by November to be eligible for admission for the following Autumn Quarter. Evidence of adequate proficiency must be submitted before enrollment is approved by Graduate Admissions.

The TOEFL is administered through:

Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
USA
Voice: +1 609-771-7000
Web: https://toefl.org

For information on registration, test centers, dates and test formats, go to https://toefl.org.

TOEFL Minimum	Computer-Based TOEFL	Paper-Based TOEFL	Internet-Based TOEFL
Doctoral Programs: All Fields	250	600	100*
Master's Programs: Humanities, Social Sciences, Education	250	600	100*
Master's Programs: School of Engineering	230	575	89*
*Until Stanford establishes its policy on the iBT, we offer the ETS comparison score as a guide for applicants.

Test of Spoken English (TSE)

In addition to TOEFL, some departments require the Test of Spoken English (TSE) (see Graduate Programs and Deadlines). For test dates and registration, contact TOEFL/TSE Services at https://www.toefl.org. The same English language exception to taking the TOEFL (see above) applies to taking the TSE.

Submitting TOEFL/TSE Test Scores:

Scores must be reported directly to Stanford from the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

The Stanford score recipient number (also called "Institution Code") is 4704.

You do not need to specify a department code.

All scores are sent electronically to the Graduate Admissions Office, which will share your scores with your department.

Evidence of adequate English proficiency must be submitted before enrollment is approved by Graduate Admissions.

Test scores received by Graduate Admissions prior to September 1, 2008 are no longer retained on file. If you had ETS send test scores to Stanford, but you did NOT submit an application, you must request that ETS resend the scores if you submit an application in the future.