TOEFL Applicants whose first language is not English and whose bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification was awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction was not English are expected to have a level of English proficiency adequate for the study of humanities subjects at HKUST. Example of proficiency evidence is an overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score lower than 5.5 for International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or equivalent (score is valid for two years from the test date). IELTS Applicants whose first language is not English and whose bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification was awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction was not English are expected to have a level of English proficiency adequate for the study of humanities subjects at HKUST. Example of proficiency evidence is an overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score lower than 5.5 for International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or equivalent (score is valid for two years from the test date).