When test takers send their TOEFL scores to your institution, they can select both an Institution Code and a Department Code. Understanding how these codes work helps ensure scores reach the right office and supports efficient applicant processing.
What Are Department Codes?
Department codes are two-digit codes that test takers use to specify where their scores should be sent within your institution. These codes help route scores to the appropriate admissions office based on the level and type of program.
Standard Department Codes
Department Code | Where the report was sent |
00 | Admissions office for undergraduate study |
01, 04-41, 43-98 | Admissions office for graduate study in a field other than management (business) or law according to the codes selected when you registered |
02 | Admissions office of a graduate school of management (business) |
03 | Admissions office of a graduate school of law |
99 | Institution or agency that is not a college or university |
How Department Codes Map to Institution Types
Your institution type in TOEFL Access is automatically configured based on the department codes you receive scores for. Here's how they align:
Undergraduate Institution
Department Code: 00
Institution Type: Undergraduate
Scores sent with code 00 indicate applicants applying to undergraduate programs
Graduate Institutions
Department Codes: 01, 04–41, 43–98
Institution Type: Graduate
These codes cover graduate programs across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and physical sciences
Business Schools
Department Code: 02
Institution Type: Business
Specifically for graduate management and business programs
Law Schools
Department Code: 03
Institution Type: Law
Exclusively for law school admissions offices
Other Organizations
Department Code: 99
Institution Type: Other
For non-academic institutions, agencies, or organizations
Why is this important for your Institution
Understanding department codes helps you:
Route scores efficiently: Scores automatically arrive at the correct admissions office
Manage multi-department institutions: Separate undergraduate, graduate, business, and law school operations
Verify applicant intent: Confirm applicants are applying to the correct program level
Troubleshoot score delivery: Identify if scores were sent to an incorrect department
Common Questions
Can applicants send scores to multiple departments?
Yes. Applicants can select different department codes when sending scores to the same institution if they're applying to multiple programs.
What if an applicant selects the wrong department code?
Many institutions have centralized score repositories where all departments can access scores regardless of the code used. However, it's best practice to ask applicants to verify they've selected the correct code for their program.
Can I see which department code was used?
Yes. The department code information is included in score reports received through TOEFL Access, helping you identify the destination that the applicant intended to reach.
Need Help?
If you have questions about department codes or institution types, contact us at help.toeflaccess@ets.org.