English Language Proficiency
Undergraduate Courses and Postgraduate Courses (Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Post Graduate Certificate, Post Graduate Diploma and Master by Coursework and Coursework and Dissertation Courses)
Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:
- were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries and the language in which the qualification was undertaken was English; or
- were not born in one of the following countries but have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of these countries and the language in which the qualification was undertaken was English:
| American Samoa | Fiji | New Zealand | Solomon Islands |
| USA | Australia | Ireland | Papua New Guinea |
| South Africa | Zambia | Canada | Kenya |
| Singapore | United Kingdom* |
* including Northern Ireland.
- have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.
All other applicants must demonstrate proficiency explicitly.
Acceptable tests for English proficiency
Any of the following test results, attained within 2 years of commencement of the course for which the applicant is applying, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:
- a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
- a TOEFL Internet-based score of 80 and writing score of 25;
- an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
- a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
- a C pass in a humanities subject at the GCE ‘A’ level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
- completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or standard Level;
- a C pass in ‘Use of English’ in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
- completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in ‘Use of English’;
- completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
- successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
- a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
- a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course
- IRI Diploma of English
- Satisfactory completion (D grade or higher in Level 3) of the Embassy CES ‘English for Academic Purposes Programme’ (EAPP);
- B Pass in English at the GSCE/GCE ‘O’ Levels (from Britain or Singapore);
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CCPE) C Pass;
- Successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment;
- the Ability EAP program with level 3 pass or above;
- the Macquarie English EAP2 or EAP3 program;
- the Strathfield College EAP program.
- undertaking an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months; or
- undertaking a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
- undertaking level 109 of the English Language Services (ELS) examination with a score of B or higher in the Reading and Writing components, and a score of P or higher in the Speaking and Listening components within the last 12 months; or
- other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies; or
- completing a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;
- the Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.
- Bachelor of Communication (with specialisations)
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic)
A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programmes deemed to be linguistically demanding.
The Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing /Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) and Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Early Childhood Teaching (Birth to Five Years) require an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or more, with no score less than 6.0, or equivalent competency in written and spoken English.
PhD, Master by Research and Professional Doctoral Programs
All applicants must demonstrate proficiency by:
Additional English Language Proficiency Requirements
A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programmes deemed to be linguistically demanding.
The following courses have a higher English proficiency requirement:
Postgraduate courses by research require an Academic IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and with no score below 6.0 in each of the individual skill areas, or, a TOEFL test result with a minimum overall score of 577 (Computerised 233) with a score of at least 5.0 in the Test for Written English.
The following undergraduate courses require an Academic IELTS with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and with no score below 6.0 in each of the individual skill areas, or, a TOEFL test result with a minimum overall score of 577 (Computerised 233) with a score of at least 5.0 in the Test for Written English: