UNSW Sydney
English language proficiency
UNSW recognises a number of English language tests as proof of English language proficiency. These are set out in the following tables, together with the minimum results required. These tables relate to courses offered at both the Sydney and Canberra (ADFA) campuses.
PTE Online, IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT home edition and OET@Home tests are not assessed.
Make sure you also read about qualifications that usually satisfy ELP.
Undergraduate
Specific courses in this group
B Actuarial Studies
B Actuarial Studies (Co-op)
B Applied Exercise Science/M Clinical Exercise Physiology
B Commerce
B Commerce (International)
B Commerce (Co-op)
B Commerce (Co-op) (Hons)
B Commerce/B Adv Maths (Hons)
B Economics
B Economics/B Advanced Maths (Hons)
B Economics/B Advanced Science (Hons)
B Economics/B Computer Science
B Engineering (Hons)/B Commerce
B Exercise Science/M Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology
B Information Systems
B Information Systems (Co-op)
(Hons)
B Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine (including double degree)
B Nutrition/M Dietetics and Food Innovation
B Pharmaceutical Medicine/M Pharmacy
Double Actuarial Studies
(all courses)
Double Commerce (all courses)
Double Economics (all courses)
Double Law (all courses)
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary study | Successfully completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English |
|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 94 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, listening & speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS |
7 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 65 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School)
| Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. | |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 185 (min. 169 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 185 (min. 180 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | A in Literature (920) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| HKDSE | 5 in English Language or Literature in English | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma |
|
| UNSW University English Entry Course (UNSW UEEC) | Successful completion with a minimum overall grade of B and a minimum grade of C in the writing component | |
| UNSW Foundation Year | Completion of program with a minimum grade of B in Academic English | |
| International Foundation Year | Successful completion of an International Foundation Year with a minimum grade of B or 80% in English from one of the following universities: Australian National University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia | Please note that ANU Foundation students need to complete Advanced Academic English and UMELB Foundations students need to complete English for Academic Purposes |
| Other | Contact the UNSW Admissions Office if you have completed assessable overseas senior secondary studies from/in a non-English speaking country, but completed all schooling up to and including Year 10 in Australia Further information on UNSW English language proficiency requirements |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary study | Successfully completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted B Education (Secondary): Internet-based score: 94 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, 27 in listening, 24 in speaking) B Education (Primary) (Honours): Internet-based score: 102 overall (min. 27 in writing, 24 in reading, 28 in listening, 26 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | B Education (Secondary): 7 overall (min. 6.5 in writing and reading, 7.5 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 7.5 overall (min. 7.0 in writing and reading, 8.0 in speaking and listening) |
Only academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | B Education (Secondary): 65 overall (min. 58 in writing and reading, 73 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 73 overall (min. 65 in writing and reading, 79 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School)
| Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. | |
C1 Advanced, formerly CAE |
B Education (Secondary): 185 (min. 176 in writing and reading, 191 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 191 overall (min. 185 in writing and reading, 200 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE |
B Education (Secondary): 185 (min. 180 in writing and reading, 191 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 191 overall (min. 185 in writing and reading, 200 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | A in Literature (920) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| HKDSE | 5 in English Language or Literature in English | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| UNSW Foundation Year | Completion of program with a minimum grade of B+ in Academic English |
|
| International Foundation Year | Successful completion of an International Foundation Year with a minimum grade of B+ or 85% in English from one of the following universities: Australian National University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia |
Please note that ANU Foundation students need to complete Advanced Academic English and UMELB Foundations students need to complete English for Academic Purposes |
| Other | Contact the UNSW Admissions Office if you have completed assessable overseas senior secondary studies from/in a non-English speaking country, but completed all schooling up to and including Year 10 in Australia Further information on UNSW English language proficiency requirements |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary study | Successfully completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 94 (min. 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 65 overall (min. 65 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School)
| Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. | |
C1 Advanced, formerly CAE |
185 (min. 185 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE |
185 (min. 185 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | A in Literature (920) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| HKDSE | 5 in English Language or Literature in English | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
Australian TAFE and private provider studies |
Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
UNSW University English Entry Course (UNSW UEEC) |
Successful completion with a minimum overall grade of B and a minimum grade of C in the writing component | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| UNSW Foundation Year | Completion of program with a minimum grade of B in Academic English |
|
| International Foundation Year | Successful completion of an International Foundation Year with a minimum grade of B or 80% in English from one of the following universities: Australian National University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia |
Please note that ANU Foundation students need to complete Advanced Academic English and UMELB Foundations students need to complete English for Academic Purposes |
| Other | Contact the UNSW Admissions Office if you have completed assessable overseas senior secondary studies from/in a non-English speaking country, but completed all schooling up to and including Year 10 in Australia Further information on UNSW English language proficiency requirements |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary study | Successfully completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 90 (min. 23 in writing, 22 in reading, listening & speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 64 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School)
If English is not the main language of instruction: Grade 4 in IB English A at Higher Level or Grade 5 in IB English A at Standard Level or Grade 7 in IB English B at Higher Level | Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. | |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 176 (min. 169 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 180 (min. 180 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | C pass in 920 English | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| HKDSE | 4 in English language or Literature in English | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| UNSW University English Entry Course (UNSW UEEC) | Successful completion with a minimum overall grade of C+ and a minimum grade of C in the writing component | |
| UNSW Foundation Year | Completion of program with a minimum grade of C+ in Academic English |
|
| International Foundation Year | Successful completion of an International Foundation Year with a minimum grade of C+ or 70% in English from one of the following universities: Australian National University, Monash University, University of Adelaide, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia |
Please note that ANU Foundation students need to complete Advanced Academic English and UMELB Foundations students need to complete English for Academic Purposes |
| Other | Contact the UNSW Admissions Office if you have completed assessable overseas senior secondary studies from/in a non-English speaking country, but completed all schooling up to and including Year 10 in Australia Further information on UNSW English language proficiency requirements |
International Year 12s
Specific courses in this group
B Actuarial Studies
B Applied Exercise Science/M Clinical Exercise Physiology
B Commerce
B Commerce (International)
B Commerce/B Adv Maths (Hons)
B Economics
B Econ/B Adv Maths (Hons)
B Economics/B Adv Sc (Hons)
B Engineering (Hons)/B Commerce
B Exercise Science/M Physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology
B Information Systems
B Medical Science/Doctor of Medicine (including double degree)
B Nutrition/M Dietetics and Food Innovation
B Pharmaceutical Medicine/M Pharmacy
Double Actuarial Studies
(all courses)
Double Commerce
(all courses)
Double Economics
(all courses)
Double Law (all courses)
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 94 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, listening & speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 65 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | Diploma must be obtained within 2 years of the course start date If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School) OR
| Diploma must be awarded and obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 185 (min. 169 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 185 (min. 180 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted B Education (Secondary): Internet-based score: 94 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, 27 in listening, 24 in speaking) B Education (Primary)(Honours): Internet-based score: 102 overall (min. 27 in writing, 24 in reading, 28 in listening, 26 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | B Education (Secondary): 7 overall (min. 6.5 in writing and reading, 7.5 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 7.5 overall (min. 7.0 in writing and reading, 8.0 in speaking and listening) |
Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | B Education (Secondary): 65 overall (min. 58 in writing and reading, 73 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 73 overall (min. 65 in writing and reading, 79 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | Diploma must be obtained within 2 years of the course start date If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School)
If English is not the main language of instruction: Grade 5 in IB English A at Higher Level or Grade 6 in IB English A at Standard Level | Diploma must be awarded and obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | B Education (Secondary): 185 (min. 176 in writing and reading, 191 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 191 overall (min. 185 in writing and reading, 200 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | B Education (Secondary): 185 (min. 180 in writing and reading, 191 in speaking and listening) B Education (Primary)(Honours): 191 overall (min. 185 in writing and reading, 200 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 94 (min. 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 65 overall (min. 65 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | Diploma must be obtained within 2 years of the course start date If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School)
If English is not the main language of instruction: Grade 5 in IB English A at Higher Level or Grade 6 in IB English A at Standard Level | Diploma must be awarded and obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 185 (min. 185 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 185 (min. 185 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 90 (min. 23 writing, 22 reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 64 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | Diploma must be obtained within 2 years of the course start date If English is the main language of instruction: ELP is met, no minimum grade required (find an IB World School) OR If English is not the main language of instruction: Grade 4 in IB English A at Higher Level or Grade 5 in IB English A at Standard Level or Grade 7 in IB English B at Higher Level | Diploma must be awarded and obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 176 (min. 169 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 180 (min. 180 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | For Diploma in Business: For other diploma courses: |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | For Diploma in Business: For other diploma courses: |
Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | For Diploma in Business: For other diploma courses: |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | For Diploma in Business: For other diploma courses: |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | For Diploma in Business: For other diploma courses: |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
Postgraduate
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary study | Successfully completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 90 overall (min. 23 writing, 22 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 64 overall (min. 54 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 176 overall (min. 169 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 180 overall (min. 180 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| UNSW University English Entry Course (UNSW UEEC) | Successful completion with a minimum overall grade of C+ and a minimum grade of C in the writing component |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary study | Successfully completed a minimum of one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 94 (min. 25 writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only academic results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 65 overall (min. 54 in each subtest) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 185 overall (min. 169 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 185 overall (min. 180 in each subtest) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| UNSW University English Entry Course (UNSW UEEC) | Successful completion with a minimum overall grade of B and a minimum grade of C in the writing component |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Tertiary | Successfully completed an AQF Bachelor level or higher from a recognised university or other tertiary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment is English | |
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 102 overall (min. 27 in writing, 24 in reading, 28 in listening, 26 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.5 overall (min. 7.0 in writing and reading, 8.0 in speaking and listening) | Only academic results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 73 overall (min. 65 in writing and reading, 79 in speaking and listening) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced, formerly CAE | 191 overall (min. 185 in writing and reading, 200 in speaking and listening) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency, formerly CPE | 191 overall (min. 185 in writing and reading, 200 in speaking and listening) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
General information for UNSW Sydney
