The Michigan English Test (MET) is recognized by a growing number of governments, universities, and employers around the world. Whether you need MET for university admission, nursing licensure, employment verification, or immigration purposes, understanding which countries and institutions accept your scores is essential.
Table of Contents
1. Australia
Australia is the most significant MET-recognizing country for immigration purposes. The Australian Department of Home Affairs officially accepts MET scores for visa applications, making it a viable alternative to IELTS and PTE for skilled migration and graduate visas.
MET for Australian Visas
The Department of Home Affairs accepts 4-skill MET tests taken at approved test centers on or after August 7, 2025. Scores are valid for 12 months from the test date.
Visa Subclasses That Accept MET
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent Visa (permanent residence)
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated Visa (state-nominated permanent residence)
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
- Subclass 485 — Temporary Graduate Visa
MET Score Requirements for Australian Immigration
| English Level | Points | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vocational | See visa | 49 | 47 | 45 | 38 | |
| Competent | 0 | 56 | 55 | 57 | 48 | |
| Proficient | +10 | 61 | 63 | 74 | 59 | |
| Superior | +20 | Not accepted for MET — IELTS/PTE required | ||||
Important: For Proficient English, there is no overall score requirement. You must meet each individual band score independently.
For a more detailed breakdown of Australian visa requirements, see our complete guide to MET for Australian visas.
Australian Universities & Institutions
MET is recognized by numerous Australian universities and higher education providers for admissions purposes. Individual score requirements vary by institution and course.
| Institution | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australian Department of Home Affairs | Immigration (all skilled visas) | 4-skill MET from approved test centers only |
| Various Australian universities | Education (undergraduate & postgraduate) | Check with individual institution for score requirements |
| TAFE & vocational colleges | Education (diploma & certificate courses) | Lower score thresholds typically apply |
2. Latin America
MET has strong recognition across Latin America for both education and employment purposes, with institutions in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and several other countries accepting MET scores.
| Country | Institution / Authority | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | Banco do Brasil | Employment | English proficiency verification for employees |
| Brazil | Various universities | Education | Graduation requirement & admissions |
| Mexico | Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) | Education | National education authority recognition |
| Colombia | Universidad Nacional de Colombia | Education | Admissions & graduation requirement |
| Peru | ICPNA (Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano) | Education | Binational center; MET used for placement & certification |
| Bolivia | Centro Boliviano Americano (CBA) | Education | Binational center; English proficiency certification |
| Argentina | Various universities & binational centers | Education | Graduation requirement for select programs |
| Chile | Various higher education institutions | Education | English proficiency verification |
| Costa Rica | Various universities & language institutes | Education | Graduation requirement & teacher certification |
3. Europe
MET is recognized by select institutions and government bodies across Europe, primarily for education and employment purposes. Recognition is growing but remains limited compared to tests like IELTS and Cambridge exams.
| Country | Institution / Authority | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finland | University of Helsinki (Erasmus programs) | Education | Accepted for Erasmus exchange student English verification |
| Greece | ASEP (Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection) | Employment | English proficiency for public sector job applications |
| Albania | Aleksander Moisiu University | Education | Admissions & English proficiency requirement |
4. Middle East & Africa
MET recognition in the Middle East and Africa is developing, with select universities and institutions accepting the test for admissions and language certification.
| Country | Institution / Authority | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan | Princess Sumaya University for Technology | Education | Admissions & English proficiency requirement |
| Iran | Soroor Language Institute | Education | English language certification & placement |
5. Asia
MET recognition in Asia is currently limited but expanding. Institutions in Malaysia have begun incorporating MET into their admissions process.
| Country | Institution / Authority | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Lincoln University College | Education | Undergraduate & postgraduate admissions |
6. United States
The United States is actually MET's largest existing recognition footprint, driven primarily by nursing licensure. MET is accepted across more states than most test-takers realize.
| Sector | Institution / Authority | Purpose | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Licensure |
34 U.S. State Boards of Nursing | NCLEX-RN eligibility | Accepted by boards including New Mexico (min. MET 59, CEFR B2+). Requirements vary by state — always check with your target state board. |
| TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) | Credential evaluation for occupational visas (H-1C, TN pathways) | Supports visa applications for foreign-trained healthcare professionals. HRSA also recognizes MET. | |
| University Admissions | University of Michigan | Undergraduate admissions | UMich accepts MET alongside TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge, and PTE Academic. MET is co-developed by the University of Michigan and Cambridge. |
| University Admissions | University of Niagara Falls, Canada | Undergraduate & graduate admissions | Requires MET overall 62+ with no individual component below 57. |
| Biliteracy | Global Seal of Biliteracy | Credentialing across 30+ countries | MET qualifies for Functional (B1), Working (B2), and Professional (C1) fluency tiers. |
MET test centers are available in 170+ countries worldwide (both in-person and remote proctoring options). Note: only in-person, proctored test center scores are accepted for Australian immigration purposes.
7. Important Notes
- US university admissions: MET is not universally accepted. The University of Michigan is a notable exception. Most US universities require TOEFL or IELTS Academic. Always check directly with admissions offices.
- Canadian admissions: University of Niagara Falls accepts MET (62+ overall). For most other Canadian universities, IELTS or CELPIP is required.
- UK admissions: MET is generally not accepted. Use IELTS Academic (UKVI-approved) or Cambridge exams.
- US nursing licensure: 34 state boards accept MET. Requirements vary by state — check with your specific state board of nursing for NCLEX-RN eligibility thresholds.
- Immigration: MET is accepted by Australia's Department of Home Affairs for skilled and graduate visas. It is NOT accepted for US, UK, or Canadian immigration.
- Always verify with the specific institution before applying. Recognition policies change, and individual departments or programs may have different requirements than the institution-wide policy.
7. How to Use Your MET Score
Step 1: Identify Your Goal
Determine why you need an English test: immigration, university admission, or employment. This determines which organizations need to accept your score.
Step 2: Verify Acceptance
Contact the institution or authority directly. Even if MET is listed as accepted, verify that:
- Your specific program or visa subclass accepts MET
- You meet the required score thresholds
- Your test was taken within the validity period (typically 2 years for education, 12 months for Australian immigration)
- Your test center is approved (critical for Australian visa purposes)
Step 3: Request Score Reports
Official MET score reports can be sent directly to institutions through Michigan Language Assessment. Keep digital and physical copies of your score report for your records.
Step 4: Prepare for Your MET Test
Achieve your target MET score with focused practice. Our free practice tests cover all four skills:
Understanding global MET recognition is the first step. The next step is achieving the score you need. Use our free practice platform to prepare with confidence.