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English language requirements
At USC, all lectures and tutorials are delivered in English.
If English is not your first language, you need to meet the minimum English requirements for your chosen program. This requirement applies to all students intending to study at the University.
The following information outlines the ways in which you may demonstrate English language proficiency and the minimum achievement levels for USC program entry. USC's English Language Programs may also help international students reach the required level.
USC has standard requirements that apply to most of its programs. In a small number of cases there are non-standard, program specific requirements.
Table 1 specifies the standard requirements that will be accepted for most undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Table 2 specifies the standard requirements that will be accepted for enabling programs, e.g. Tertiary Preparation Pathway.
Table 3 specifies the non-standard requirements that apply for specific undergraduate and postgraduate programs including the following:
Table 1 Standard English Language entry requirements for all undergraduate and postgraduate programs except those specified in table 3
This list is not exhaustive. Other proof of English proficiency may be considered and applications are assessed individually.
English proficiency test results are regarded as valid for two years from the test date.
| Test or other preparation |
Undergraduate (including Study Abroad) |
Postgraduate coursework (including Honours) |
Higher Degrees by Research (including Master by Research and Doctoral degrees) |
| IELTS (Academic) |
Overall score of 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each subtest |
Overall score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each subtest |
Overall score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each subtest |
| TOEFL: Paper-based |
Overall score of 550 with minimum essay score of 4 |
Overall score of 575 with minimum essay score of 4 |
Overall score of 575 with minimum essay score of 4 |
| TOEFL: Internet- based |
Overall score of 76 with minimum score of 18 for writing |
Overall score of 85 with minimum score of 21 for writing and minimum score of 20 in all other sections |
Overall score of 85 with minimum score of 21 for writing and minimum score of 20 in all other sections |
| Pearson Test of English |
Overall score of 57 with no communicative score less than 50 |
Overall score of 64 with no communicative score less than 58 |
Overall score of 64 with no communicative score less than 58 |
| Language of Instruction English (LOI)* |
Minimum 1 year full-time tertiary study, or 1 year full-time other post-secondary study, or 2 years full-time secondary study, successfully completed in last 5 years |
Minimum 1 year full-time tertiary study, or 1 year full-time other post-secondary study, successfully completed in the last 5 years |
Minimum 2 years full-time tertiary (university level) study successfully completed in the last 5 years |
| Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
|
Minimum score of 54 with no less than borderline in writing |
Minimum score of 62 with no less than borderline in writing |
Minimum score of 62 with no less than 54 in writing |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
| ISLPR (previously ASLPR) |
3 in all four skill areas |
- |
- |
| Direct Entry English Pathway (DEEP) |
Successful completion with a minimum grade of 65 percent |
Successful completion with a minimum grade of 70 percent |
|
| Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) |
Successful completion |
- |
- |
| Germany DAAD |
Minimum grade of B in all areas |
Minimum grade of A in writing, grade of B in other areas |
Minimum grade of A in writing, grade of B in other areas |
| Danish Upper Secondary School completed within the last 5 years |
A grade of 9 or better in English (13 point scale) or a grade of 7 in English (7 point scale) |
A grade of 9 or better in English (13 point scale) or a grade of 7 in English (7 point scale) |
A grade of 9 or better in English (13 point scale) or a grade of 7 in English (7 point scale) |
| Finnish High School completed within the last 5 years |
A grade of 8 or better in English (13 point scale) or 7 or better (9 point scale) |
- |
- |
| GCE Ordinary level studies completed within the last 5 years |
A grade of C or better in GCE O-level English |
A grade of B or better in GCE O-level English |
A grade of B or better in GCE O-level English |
| Hong Kong Year 12 (HKDSE) |
Minimum level of 3 for English |
- |
- |
| Iceland Studentsprof |
Grade of 5.2 (on a 10 point scale) in the Icelandic Studentsprof from Gymnasium |
- |
- |
| International Baccalaureate |
English B – Standard level grade 5, Higher level grade 4, completed within the last two years |
- |
- |
| Netherlands – Dutch Diploma of pre-university Education (HAVO or VWO) |
HAVO – a grade of 7 or better in English
VWO – a grade of 6 or better in English |
HAVO – a grade of 7 or better in English
VWO – a grade of 6 or better in English |
HAVO – a grade of 7 or better in English
VWO – a grade of 6 or better in English |
| Norwegian Upper Secondary School completed within the last 5 years |
A grade of 4 or better in English |
A grade of 4 or better in English |
A grade of 4 or better in English |
| Swedish Upper Secondary School completed within the last 5 years |
A grade of 3 or better (VG or MVG) in final year English |
A grade of 4 (MVG) in final year English |
A grade of 4 (MVG) in final year English |
| Vietnam-Australia School (VAS) Hanoi |
Australian International Schools Certificate (AISC) with a minimum credit average and a credit level for English |
- |
- |
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Table 2 Standard English Language entry requirements for enabling programs
Successful completion of the Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) does not satisfy USC's English entry requirements for other programs.
Students progressing from TPP to an undergraduate program will need to demonstrate English Language proficiency required for entry for that program as indicated in Table 1 and Table 3.
English proficiency test results are regarded as valid for two years from the test date.
| IELTS (Academic) |
Overall score of 5.5 with minimum 5.0 in each subtest |
| DEEP Stage 1 |
Successful completion minimum overall score of 65% |
| TOEFL |
Paper-based—overall score of 520 with minimum essay score of 3.5
Internet-based—overall score of 68 with minimum score of 17 for writing |
| Pearson Test of English |
Overall score of 45 with no communicative score less than 40 |
| Other Language tests or preparation |
Other language tests or preparation that might be deemed as comparable to the required IELTS scores will be considered on a case-by-case basis |
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Table 3 Non-standard, program specific English Language entry requirements
English language proficiency for the programs listed in Table 3 may only be met by the test criteria in Table 3. No other evidence of English proficiency will be considered for these programs.
English proficiency test results are regarded as valid for two years from the test date.
| IELTS (Academic) |
Overall score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each subtest |
| TOEFL |
Paper-based—overall score of 575 with minimum essay score of 4
Internet-based—overall score of 86 with minimum score of 21 for writing and 20 in all other sections |
| Pearson Test of English |
Overall score of 62 with no communicative score less than 58 |
| Language of Instruction English (LOI) |
Successful completion of at least two years of senior secondary or tertiary study where the language of instruction is English, completed within the last five years in exempt countries namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America (considered on a case-by-case basis) |
| IELTS (Academic) |
Overall score of 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each subtest |
| TOEFL |
Paper-based—overall score of 600 with minimum essay score of 5
Internet-based—overall score of 96 with minimum score of 24 for writing and 23 in all other sections |
| Pearson Test of English |
Overall score of 67 with no communicative score less than 62 |
| Occupational English Test (OET) |
An overall pass with minimum A or B score for each of the four test components |
| Language of Instruction English (LOI) |
Successful completion of at least two years of senior secondary or tertiary study where the language of instruction is English, completed within the last five years in exempt countries namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America (considered on a case-by-case basis) |
| IELTS (Academic) |
Overall score of 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each subtest |
| TOEFL |
Paper-based—overall score of 600 with minimum essay score of 5
Internet-based—overall score of 96 with minimum score of 24 for writing and 23 in all other sections |
| Pearson Test of English |
Overall score of 67 with no communicative score less than 62 |
| Language of Instruction English (LOI) |
Successful completion of at least two years of senior secondary or tertiary study where the language of instruction is English, completed within the last five years in exempt countries namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America (considered on a case-by-case basis) |
| IELTS (Academic) |
Overall score of 7.5 with minimum 8.0 in speaking and listening and 7.0 in all other subtests |
| TOEFL |
Paper-based—overall score of 660 with minimum essay score of 5.5
Internet-based—overall score of 115 with minimum score of 27 for listening and speaking and 25 in writing and reading |
| Pearson Test of English |
Overall score of 80 with no listening and speaking score less than 84 and no reading and writing score less than 70 |
| ISLPR |
A minimum of 4 for speaking, listening and reading and a minimum of 3 for writing |
| Language of Instruction English (LOI) |
Successful completion of at least two years of senior secondary or tertiary study where the language of instruction is English, completed within the last five years in exempt countries namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America (considered on a case-by-case basis) |
English language proficiency requirements to apply for a student visa
An IELTS, or approved alternative, test may be required for your student visa application, depending on your country of citizenship and the program for which you apply.
This is separate from the requirements for admission to the University. Check the requirements with the Australian Embassy or Mission closest to you, or the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
English language proficiency requirements to apply for registration with a professional body
Registration with some professional bodies, such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), may have specific English proficiency requirements.
These requirements are separate from the English requirements for admission to the University, and may be more demanding than the University's entry requirements.
Check the information about registration with professional bodies provided on the program information pages of our website, or visit the website of the professional body of which you hope to gain membership.
Further information
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