Which English Exam Do You Need to Study or Work Abroad in 2026?

2 days ago
5 min read

Choosing the wrong English exam is an expensive mistake. Not because the exams are wildly different in difficulty — but because the wrong exam score simply won't be accepted by your university, visa authority, or professional registration body. You'll have wasted months of preparation and hundreds of dollars on a certificate that doesn't open the door you need.

This guide maps the right exam to every major destination, visa type, and profession — so you prepare once, correctly, and move forward.

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The Four Exams That Matter for International Purposes

For the purposes of studying, working, or immigrating abroad, four English proficiency tests dominate:

IELTS Academic — the most globally accepted exam. Recognised by UK, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and most other immigration authorities. Required by most English-medium universities worldwide.

TOEFL iBT — the standard for US academic admissions. Increasingly accepted globally, but less dominant than IELTS for immigration purposes.

PTE Academic — computer-based, AI-scored, results in 48 hours. Accepted by Australian immigration (Department of Home Affairs), UK UKVI, and 3,500+ universities.

OET — healthcare professionals only. Accepted instead of IELTS by nursing and medical registration bodies in the UK (NMC), Australia (AHPRA), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, and Dubai.

There are others (Cambridge, CELPIP, Duolingo English Test) — but for visa and registration purposes, the four above cover 95%+ of requirements.

By Destination

United Kingdom

For a Student visa (Tier 4): IELTS Academic (typically 5.5–7.0 depending on institution), TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic — accepted by UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) Secure English Language Tests list.

For a Skilled Worker visa: IELTS Academic or IELTS for UKVI (minimum B1 for most routes, B2 for senior roles). Some roles accept alternatives — check your specific SOC code.

For healthcare registration: OET (Grade B) or IELTS Academic (7.0 overall, no component below 6.5) for NMC nursing registration. GMC (medicine) accepts IELTS, OET, PTE, TOEFL.

Tip: For UK immigration specifically, use the official UKVI Approved Secure English Language Tests list. Not all IELTS versions qualify — you may need IELTS for UKVI specifically, not standard IELTS Academic.

Australia

For a student visa: IELTS Academic (6.0–6.5 typical), PTE Academic (50–58 typical), TOEFL iBT (64–79 typical) — depends on the institution and course level.

For skilled migration visas (189, 190, 491 etc.): IELTS (6.0 per band), PTE Academic (65 per communicative skill), TOEFL iBT (12/13/21/24 minimum per section). Competent English = IELTS 6.0. Proficient = IELTS 7.0. Superior = IELTS 8.0.

For healthcare registration (AHPRA — nurses, doctors): OET (Grade B) or IELTS Academic (7.0 per band).

Tip: Australia's points-based immigration system awards extra points for higher English proficiency. Scoring Proficient (IELTS 7.0) instead of Competent (IELTS 6.0) can mean +10 points in your EOI — which could be the difference between receiving and not receiving an invitation.

Canada

For a study permit: IELTS Academic (6.0–6.5 typical), TOEFL iBT (80–100 typical). CELPIP is also accepted for some Canadian immigration pathways.

For Express Entry (skilled worker): IELTS General Training or CELPIP General. Note: for Canadian immigration, it's usually IELTS General Training, not Academic — different test, different format.

Tip: Many candidates preparing for Canadian immigration study for IELTS Academic (required for university) and then take IELTS General Training for immigration — the skills transfer but the format is different. Practise both question types in the final 2–3 weeks before your immigration test.

United States

For university admission: TOEFL iBT is the dominant standard. Most universities also accept IELTS Academic. Minimum scores vary widely — from TOEFL 61 for community colleges to TOEFL 100+ for top research universities.

For work visas: US work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1) generally do not require a language test — English proficiency is assumed from the job offer process. However, some employers request documentation.

European Union

For university programmes taught in English: Requirements vary by country and institution. Many EU universities accept IELTS (6.0–7.0), TOEFL (80–100), or Cambridge qualifications (B2 First for undergraduate, C1 Advanced for postgraduate).

For employment: EU employers increasingly request CEFR-documented English proficiency. Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced are the most credible permanent qualifications for EU-based employment.

By Profession

Profession	UK Registration	Australian Registration
Nurse	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (NMC)	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (AHPRA)
Doctor	OET B, IELTS 7.5, PTE 76, or TOEFL 102 (GMC)	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (AHPRA/AMC)
Dentist	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (GDC)	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (ADC)
Pharmacist	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (GPhC)	OET B or IELTS 7.0 (AHPRA)
Teacher	IELTS 7.5 or equivalent (Ofsted/DfE)	IELTS 7.5 (AITSL)
Engineer	No standard requirement; employer-dependent	No standard requirement

How to Prepare for Any of These Exams

Every exam on this list tests the same underlying English ability. What differs is the format. The preparation that builds genuine English proficiency — speaking fluency, reading speed, vocabulary range, writing accuracy — applies across all of them.

Know your starting level. Before choosing your exam, know where your English is right now. Take the free Nona CEFR Skill Test and get your level in 10 minutes. This tells you which exams are realistic targets and how long preparation will take.

Build a structured plan. Nona Study Plans map your preparation from your current level to your exam date — with Speaking sessions, Study sessions, and daily Nona Bits micro-practice scheduled to match your timeline.

Prioritise speaking. Speaking is the most time-sensitive skill to develop and the one that most candidates underestimate. 1-on-1 Speaking Sessions on Nona give you exam-specific speaking practice with immediate feedback — exactly what closes the gap between your current level and your target score.

Deep-dive exam guides:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which English exam is accepted in the most countries? IELTS Academic has the broadest global acceptance for both academic and immigration purposes — recognised in 140+ countries by 11,000+ institutions.

Do I need IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training for immigration? It depends on the country and visa type. For university admission, use Academic. For Canadian Express Entry and some Australian visa routes, General Training is accepted or required. For UK immigration, check the UKVI approved test list — some routes require IELTS for UKVI specifically.

Is Duolingo English Test accepted for university admissions? A growing number of universities accept DET scores, particularly in the US and Canada. However, it is not accepted for immigration purposes and is not accepted by most UK institutions. Check your specific institution before relying on it.

Can I take an English exam online at home? Yes. IELTS Online, TOEFL at-home, and PTE at-home are all available with remote proctoring. OET Online is also available for some professions.