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Which Universities & Countries Accept PTE Scores?

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The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is one of the most widely accepted English proficiency tests in the world. Whether you're applying for university, a work visa, or permanent residency, the PTE is now recognized by thousands of institutions and government bodies. In this post, we’ll break down where your PTE score is accepted and which major universities around the world recognize it for admissions.

Table of Contents

Global Reach: Countries That Accept the PTE

PTE is officially approved for both academic admissions and immigration purposes across major destinations. Here's a quick list of the most popular countries that currently accept the PTE:

  • 🇦🇺 Australia – Accepted for all student visas and permanent residency applications.
  • 🇨🇦 Canada – Approved by IRCC for immigration, work, and study permits.
  • 🇺🇸 United States – Accepted by over 1,200 colleges and universities.
  • 🇬🇧 United Kingdom – Approved as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for visas and accepted by most universities.
  • 🇳🇿 New Zealand – Recognized for study and residency applications.
  • 🇩🇪 Germany – Accepted by universities for higher education.
  • 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇦🇪 UAE – Increasingly accepting PTE scores for study visas.
  • And many more… (Click here for a full list of destinations)
PTE Academic is accepted by 3,500+ institutions worldwide, and PTE tests are accepted for visa applications by the US, Australian, Canadian, UK, and New Zealand governments.

University Acceptance by Country

Here’s a quick look at the top universities around the world that accept PTE scores:

🇦🇺 Australia & 🇳🇿 New Zealand

All major universities in Australia and New Zealand accept PTE Academic, including:

  • University of Melbourne
  • Monash University
  • University of Queensland
  • University of Auckland
  • University of Otago

🇨🇦 Canada

PTE is now fully accepted by IRCC for immigration and by a growing number of Canadian universities and colleges such as:

  • University of Toronto
  • University of British Columbia
  • McGill University
  • University of Waterloo

🇺🇸 United States

Over 1,200 U.S. institutions accept PTE Academic, including top-ranked schools:

  • Harvard University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Columbia University
  • New York University (NYU)
  • University of Southern California (USC)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Most UK universities accept PTE Academic and PTE Academic UKVI for Tier 4 student visa purposes, including:

  • University of Oxford
  • University of Cambridge
  • University of Edinburgh
  • Imperial College London
  • University of Warwick

To learn more about the score requirements for these regions consider taking a look at our blog post: PTE Score Requirements Explained: What is a ‘good’ score for study, work & PR?

Conclusion

The PTE is now a globally trusted English test, accepted in 73+ countries and by 3,500+ academic institutions. Whether you're planning to study or to apply for a visa your PTE score is a powerful credential.

Before you book your test, always check your target university or country’s website for exact score requirements. And don’t forget—Arno is here to help you prep and boost your scores with our free Vocabulary Builder!