Jul 24, 2025
For students aiming to study abroad, proving English language proficiency is one of the first and most critical steps. Universities need to ensure applicants can handle academic requirements, and immigration bodies require proof that students can communicate effectively in an English-speaking environment.
Among the different English proficiency tests available, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) has emerged as a top choice for international students. It is accepted by over 3,500 academic institutions worldwide, including prestigious names like Harvard, Yale, and Oxford.
Beyond academic recognition, PTE is also trusted by key professional and government bodies such as USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration), and AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency). This level of endorsement highlights the test’s reliability not just for education but also for Migration, Licensing, and Professional Registration.
If you’re planning to study abroad, this article will help you understand the full value of PTE, where it is accepted, and how it can support both your academic journey and visa process.
Table of Content
As you may already know, students planning to study abroad have several English proficiency tests to choose from. However, there are a few apparent reasons why PTE stands out among them.
Let’s walk you through them.
PTE uses a fully digital format, where reading, listening, speaking, and writing are all conducted on computer and scored by advanced algorithms – no human raters involved. This ensures consistent, unbiased evaluation across test-takers.
PTE reduced its test time to 2 hours, while IELTS takes up to 2 hours 45 minutes, and TOEFL takes 2 Hours 30 minutes. The shorter format makes it less tiring while still testing the same core skills.
Officially, PTE results are released within 48 hours, significantly faster than IELTS (typically 2-5 day delivery for computer-based, but delays can still occur) and TOEFL (around 4-8 days).
Unlike IELTS (separate modules) or TOEFL (some integrated, some isolated), PTE focuses on integrated tasks (e.g., speaking + writing), mirroring real academic communication more closely.
PTE now includes screen readers, extended time, font adjustability, and other accommodations that are standardized across centers. Not all IELTS or TOEFL centers offer the same support consistently. There is uncertainty and delays in requesting support at these centers.
Now that we’ve established why PTE matters, let’s explore which and how many study destinations officially recognize it.
What makes PTE truly valuable is that its scores are not limited to University admissions alone. In many countries, the same score is also accepted for work permits, professional licensing, and immigration processes. This dual-purpose advantage sets it apart from most other English tests.
Below is a list of some of the most prominent countries and regions where PTE score is accepted across multiple categories — study, work, and immigration.
You now have a list of countries and regions that accept PTE scores. The next question is about the Universities within these destinations. To give you a clearer picture of how relevant PTE really is, let’s explore some of the top institutions that officially recognize it.
While TOEFL has traditionally been the most widely accepted English test in the U.S., PTE is now recognized by over 1,500 institutions, including many top-ranked Universities. Its acceptance is steadily growing across the country.
More importantly, PTE scores are also officially accepted by U.S. State Nursing Boards for healthcare licensing and visa-related processes, making it a practical option for both academic and professional pathways.
Here is a selection of well-known US Universities that recognize PTE scores for admission.
| Arizona State University, Arizona | George Mason University |
| UMass Amherst | University of Maryland Baltimore County |
| State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY Buffalo) | New Jersey Institute of Technology |
| Drexel University | Clark University |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | University of New Hampshire |
| University of Cincinnati | University of North Texas |
| San Jose State University | California State University, Long Beach |
| San Francisco State University | |
The average range of PTE scores accepted by Universities in the USA falls between 53 and 69.
PTE scores are accepted by 99% of Universities in the UK and are also approved for UK visa and immigration applications. Whether you're planning to study, work, or live in the UK, PTE offers a trusted and convenient pathway to help you move forward.
Below is a curated list of prominent Universities in the UK that accept PTE scores.
| University of Bristol | University of Birmingham |
| University of Glasgow | University of Leeds |
| University of Southampton | University of Sheffield |
| Durham University | University of Nottingham |
| Queen Mary University of London | University of Bath |
| Newcastle University | University of Liverpool |
| University of Exeter | Lancaster University |
| University of York | Cardiff University |
The average range of PTE scores accepted by UK Universities falls between 58 and 64.
PTE Academic is accepted by all Universities and Colleges across Canada. It offers a quicker, more reliable, and straightforward route to securing your Letter of Acceptance.
These are some of the most sought-after Canadian Universities that recognize the PTE Academic test.
| University of Alberta | University of Waterloo |
| Queen’s University | University of Ottawa |
| University of Calgary | Dalhousie University |
| University of Guelph | University of Windsor |
| University of Manitoba | University of New Brunswick |
| Carleton University | University of Regina |
| Brock University | Wilfrid Laurier University |
| Lakehead University | University of Winnipeg |
The accepted PTE score range at Canadian Universities generally falls between 53 and 68.
PTE is accepted by every University in Australia, along with several professional bodies and the Department of Home Affairs, as valid proof of English language proficiency for visa applications. If you're aiming to study here, these Universities are known to accept PTE scores.
| The University of New South Wales | Monash University |
| The University of Queensland | The University of Western Australia |
| The University of Adelaide | University of Technology Sydney |
| Swinburne University of Technology | RMIT University |
| Macquarie University | University of Wollongong |
| The University of Newcastle | Deakin University |
| Queensland University of Techology | La Trobe University |
| Griffith University | Charles Darwin University |
On average, most Universities in Australia accept PTE scores ranging between 50 and 65.
PTE scores are accepted by 100% of Universities, Institutes of Technology, Polytechnics, and Registered Training Establishments in New Zealand. They are also recognized by professional associations and are valid for both student and migration visa applications. The leading institutions mentioned below are among the many in the New Zealand that accept PTE results.
| University of Auckland | University of Otago |
| Massey University | Victoria University if Wellington |
| University of Waikato | University of Canterbury |
| Lincoln University | Auckland University of Technology |
| Unitec Institute of Technology | Otago Polytechnic |
| Manukau Institute of Technology | Ara Institute of Canterbury |
| Eastern Institute of Technology | Waikato Institute of Technology |
| Whitireia New Zealand | Southern Institute of Technology |
The accepted PTE score range at New Zealand Institutions generally falls between 46 and 65.
A wide range of major Irish Universities and Institutions accept PTE scores. This list highlights popular Irish institutions where PTE is a recognized English proficiency credential.
| Trinity College Dublin | University College Dublin |
| University College Cork | University of Galway, Ireland |
| Dublin City University | Maynooth University |
| National College of Ireland | Shannon College of Hotel Management |
| University of Limerick | Technological University Dublin |
| RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences | Munster Technological University |
| Atlantic Technological University | IBAT College Dublin |
| Dublin Business School | Griffith College |
For most programs in Ireland, Universities accept PTE scores between 51 and 63.
With hundreds of Universities and Colleges across Europe already recognizing PTE scores, several more Institutions in countries like Germany and the Netherlands have recently added it to their list of accepted English proficiency tests.
Here is the list of some in-demand institutions in Europe that recognizes PTE.
| France | Netherlands | Denmark |
| Clermont School of Business | TIO University of Applied Sciences | IBA Kolding |
| KEDGE Business School | The Hague University of Applied Sciences (via Pathway College) | |
| KEDGE Business School (Paris) |
| Sweden | Finland | Switzerland |
| Halmstad University | LUT University, Lappeenranta | EU Business School – Switzerland |
| Linnaeus University | LAB University of Applied Sciences | GLION Institute of Higher Education – Switzerland |
| Jonkoping University | Aalto University | BHMS – Business & Hotel Management School |
| Dalarna University | University of Eastern Finland | Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS) |
| University of Skövde | University of Jyväskylä | Geneva Business School – Switzerland |
| Kristianstad University | Metropolia University of Applied Sciences | International Institute in Geneva |
| Karlstad University | Turku University of Applied Sciences | EHL Swiss School of Tourism & Hospitality |
| University West | Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) | Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education, Altdorf |
| Karelia University of Applied Sciences | International Management Institute | |
| Arcada University of Applied Sciences | EHL Hospitality Business School – Lausanne | |
| Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) | Swiss School of Business & Management (SSBM), Geneva |
| Cyprus | Malta |
| University of Nicosia | London School of Commerce |
| University of Central Lancashire – Cyprus | Global College Malta |
| Frederick University | College De Paris (Ascencia) – Malta Campus |
| Neapolis University – Pafos | IDEA Academy |
Generally, a range between 51 and 63 is accepted in most of the European Institutions.
Top study destinations across Asia now widely accept PTE scores for University admissions. Its simplified test format, quicker result delivery, and fair evaluation system have made it a preferred choice among international applicants. These factors continue to fuel its growing popularity in several Asian countries.
Below is a list of prominent institutions in Asia that recognize PTE scores for academic admissions.
| UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah) | Singapore | Malaysia |
| University of Birmingham – Dubai | Singapore Univ. of Tech. and Design (SUTD) | Monash University |
| Heriot-Watt University – Dubai | Curtin Singapore | Heriot-Watt University |
| Curtin University – Dubai | James Cook University (JCU) | University of Southampton |
| Middlesex University – Dubai | Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) | University of Wollongong |
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) – Dubai | PSB Academy | University of Nottingham |
| Murdoch University – Dubai | Kaplan Higher Education Academy (KHEA) | Swinburne University of Technology |
| University of Europe for Applied Sciences – Dubai | Raffles College of Higher Education | Raffles University |
| Istituto Marangoni – Dubai | SIM Global Education | MDIS |
| American University of Ras Al Khaimah – Dubai | Nanyang Institute of Management | Taylor’s University |
| Abu Dhabi University – Dubai | S P Jain School of Global Management | Asia Pacific Univ. of Tech. & Innovation |
| China | South Korea | Indonesia |
| University of Nottingham – Ningbo | George Mason University – Korea | Deakin University – Lancaster University |
| Beijing Normal–Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) | Woosong University – South Korea |
Asian institutions generally recognize PTE scores ranging from to 45-60. With the major Universities that accept PTE now clearly mapped out, let’s continue to the next part.
You are all set to start preparing for the PTE and have your eyes on that perfect score. But scoring high isn't just about practicing, it is also about using the right strategies at the right time.
Here are some tried-and-tested approaches that can truly make a difference in your PTE journey:
While these are the practices you should focus on and get comfortable with, there are also a few common mistakes that can hold you back. In the next section, we’ll walk you through the ones you should definitely avoid.
If your goal is to achieve a top score, it is equally important to be aware of the missteps that could hinder your progress. Avoiding these common mistakes can make a significant difference to your overall performance:
The best way to avoid ineffective coaching is to start with the right guidance from the beginning. KC Overseas Education offers both online and offline support for PTE preparation, designed to suit different learning needs.
With a team of skilled and experienced tutors, we ensure that every student receives access to high-quality test prep material, personalized attention, and proven strategies. Our support does not stop at PTE training — as one of the top study abroad consultants in India, our experts provide end-to-end assistance in foreign education from shortlisting Universities to visa support.
So, if you are planning to take the PTE and pursue higher studies abroad, make sure you reach out to us for reliable guidance every step of the way.
Yes, you can send your PTE Academic score report to an unlimited number of institutions free of charge. You can select your preferred institutions during test registration or even after the test through your Pearson account.
Absolutely. Many Universities, especially in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, accept PTE scores for entry into foundation or pathway programs offered through their partner Colleges. These programs often have slightly lower score requirements than full-degree admissions.
PTE scores remain valid for two years from the date of the test. Universities will typically require the score to be valid at the time of application review and enrollment, so plan your test date accordingly.
Yes, in most countries like Australia, the UK, and New Zealand, the same PTE Academic score can be used for both University admission and student visa application, making it a dual-purpose test that simplifies the documentation process.
You can take the PTE Academic test as many times as you need. There’s no official limit, but you must wait to receive your previous test results before booking another. Since results arrive quickly (usually within 48 hours), this allows for faster reattempts.