For the 2027 admissions cycle, check whether each shortlisted programme accepts TOEFL, IELTS, or both. Compare format and current price only among tests that meet those course requirements.
- ETS reports that more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries accept TOEFL scores.
- That figure does not confirm whether a particular programme accepts TOEFL or what score it requires.
- IELTS and TOEFL assess the same four skills, but use different task formats and timings.
- ETS offers a free, self-paced TOEFL sample that takes 40 minutes and covers all four sections.
- Check programme rules with the university and current test prices with each test provider.
A global acceptance figure cannot decide a course requirement
The practical question is whether each course on your shortlist accepts TOEFL, IELTS, or both. That determines which tests are available for that application; the overall reach of a test cannot answer for an individual programme.
ETS reports that more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries accept TOEFL scores. This shows broad acceptance, but it does not identify which programmes accept the test or the scores they require.
For a shortlist where every course accepts both tests, you can compare their formats and prices without ruling one out on eligibility. If a course accepts only one, that rule narrows your options for that application, even if other courses accept both.
A university selection guide can help you organise a shortlist by course, so you can compare each programme’s English-test rules rather than rely on an institution-wide total.
Format differences help you choose what to practise
IELTS and TOEFL both assess listening, reading, writing and speaking, but their tasks and timing differ. The British Council describes an IELTS writing section with a diagram, chart or graph summary and a 250-word essay.
The British Council comparison gives IELTS Reading 60 minutes and TOEFL Reading 27 minutes. Those differences are concrete points to consider when trying practice material, but they do not establish which test will feel easier to you.
ETS describes TOEFL iBT as assessing the four skills in academic contexts, such as classrooms and lectures. Its free, self-paced sample takes 40 minutes and includes questions from all four sections, so you can try TOEFL tasks before deciding.
The IELTS section introduces the test, while this guide to IELTS requirements by programme addresses course-specific conditions. Use programme pages for the rules that apply to your shortlist.
Compare the remaining choices on current details
“Easier” depends on how you respond to each test’s tasks and timing. Try practice materials for the eligible tests to make that comparison more personal, while treating a short sample as practice rather than a prediction of your final score.
The available information does not establish which test costs less. Compare current registration prices on each provider’s test page before booking, because a price comparison only helps if it reflects the tests you can use.
- For each shortlisted course, note which tests it accepts and any stated score conditions.
- Try provider practice materials for the tests that meet those course rules.
- Compare current registration prices with the providers before booking.
ETS says a TOEFL score report includes MyBest scores, also known as superscores. Whether a course considers MyBest is distinct from whether it accepts TOEFL, so check the programme’s score conditions before relying on that feature.
EDMONT helps applicants organise programme requirements and compare admissions decisions. Send your course shortlist and any existing test results for a review of which rules to verify for the 2027 admissions cycle.