Student Recruitment and Admissions Group
Level 4, Jane Foss Russell Building G02,
The University of Sydney,
NSW 2006, Australia
ABN 15 211 513 464
CRICOS Provider Code: 00026A
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Listed below are the English language proficiency requirements for entry for international and domestic applicants to
academic programs at the University of Sydney.
Undergraduate Applicants (including programs combined with postgraduate courses)
Applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency through one of the following methods:
1.
Minimum proficiency test results as outlined in Table 1 below. English language test scores must be less than
2 years old at the date of course commencement at the University of Sydney.
For other English tests accepted by the University, please refer to Table 6 - English language skills tests
concordance table to convert the IELTS requirement to TOEFL PB (Paper-based), TOEFL IBT (Internet-based
test), PTE (Pearsons Test of English), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency
(CPE).
Table 1 - English Language Proficiency Requirements for Undergraduate Courses
Faculty
Degree Program
All
Standard requirement
Higher requirements apply to the following undergraduate programs:
Architecture, Design and
All programs (including combined Architecture
Planning
programs except courses combined with Law)
Overall
score
6.5
IELTS
Section minimum+
6.0
7.0
6.0
Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications)
Bachelor of Economics and all degrees combined
with Economics (except combined Law)
All programs except combined Law
Bachelor of Education and all combined Education
degrees
Combined Engineering/Commerce and
IT/Commerce
Bachelor of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Applied Science (Speech Pathology)
7.5
7.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
6.0
7.0-R,W
8.0-L, S
6.0
7.0
7.0
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sports
Science) & Master of Nutrition and Dietetics
Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise Physiology)
7.0
6.5
Law
Nursing
All combined Law degrees
All programs including combined Nursing degrees
7.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
Science
Bachelor of Science & Master of Nutrition and
Dietetics
Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine
7.0
6.5
7.0
7.0
Arts and Social Sciences
Business
Education and Social Work
Engineering and IT
Health Sciences
Veterinary Science
+IELTS, IBT sections and PTE Section minimums are: L-Listening, R-Reading, S-Speaking, W-Writing
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2.
Completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma in English or for semester 1 2015 only - completed
one of the following in the IB diploma:
- Completion of English A: Literature at Higher or Standard level (or English A1 or A2 pre-2013)
- Completion of English A: Language and Literature at Higher or Standard level
- Completion of English B at Higher Level with a Grade of 4 or more;
- Completion of English B at Standard Level with a Grade of 5 or more
From semester 2 2015, if you have not completed your IB diploma in English, refer to Table 3 for specific
requirements that you must meet.
3.
You have completed at least one year of full time university study in an English speaking country or in a
tertiary institution where the language of instruction (i.e. teaching, assessment and examination) was in
English.
4.
You have completed a qualification accepted by the University as proof of your proficiency in English as
specified in Tables 2 and 3 below:
Table 2
Country/Qualification
Standard
American Samoa
Australia
Canada
Denmark Studentereksamen
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
A grade of 8 or better for English A
A grade of 10 or better for English B, level B
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
A grade of 8 or better in English or English A language
Fiji
Finland Upper Secondary School
Certificate
Germany Abitur
Hong Kong A Levels
Ireland
Kenya
A grade of 3 or better in Advanced Level English (LF)
B pass in Use of English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Netherlands VWO
New Zealand
Norway Vitnemal
Papua New Guinea
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Sweden Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg
A grade of 8 or better for level 6 High School English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
A grade of 4 or better for upper secondary school English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
A grade of VG or B or better in Upper Secondary School English
United Kingdom
United States of America
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
(this includes successful completion of SAT or ACT exams with the
required score in or outside the USA)
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English
Zambia
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Table 3Specific qualifications and grade requirements for English proficiency if you have not undertaken a
qualification listed in Table 2 or if the main senior secondary qualification was not undertaken in English.
IELTS
overall
score
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
UK A
Level
English1
Singapore
Cambridge
A levels2
HKDSE3
B/C
A
A*
B/C
A
5
5*
5**
STPM4
B/C
A
UK A Levels
Humanities5
UK AS
Level
English6
A/B
A/B
IB English A
Higher
level
4
5
6
7
Standard
level
5
6
7
Notes:
1. Subject must have been undertaken at full Advanced (A2) level.
2. A Level: English Language and Linguistics
3. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, English Language and Literature in English
4. Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, Literature (920)
5. Humanities subjects: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology and
Psychology
6. English Language and Literature, English Language
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Postgraduate Coursework and Research Applicants
Applicants for whom English is not their first language must provide evidence of minimum English language
proficiency through one of the following methods:
1.
Applicants who can provide evidence of satisfactory achievement in tertiary studies* in which the language
of the institution and of instruction, examination and assessment was English, may not be required to
provide further evidence of English proficiency. Satisfactory achievement is determined by each faculty in
accordance with the discipline concerned and their English test standards. The tertiary studies must have
been undertaken no more than 5 years prior to the date of application for admission to the University of
Sydney.
*Please refer to specific definitions of a satisfactory tertiary record for some faculties as given below:
For courses in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, the faculty has defined 'satisfactory achievement' as follows: To
meet the requirements of 'satisfactory achievement', applicants must present evidence of one year full-time university
study in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and
assessment was English. To be 'satisfactory' the applicant must have a credit average if this qualification was not used
to gain admission. In countries where English is not the official language, students will be required to provide a
statement from the Registrar/Academic Affairs office or equivalent confirming English as the language of the
institution and the language of instruction, examination and assessment
For courses in the Business School, the Sydney Medical School and the Faculty of Dentistry, the faculty has defined
‘satisfactory achievement as follows: To meet the requirements of ‘satisfactory achievement’, applicants must present
evidence of one year full-time university study in which the language of the institution was English and the language of
instruction, examination and assessment was English. To be ‘satisfactory’ the applicant must have a credit average if
this qualification was not used to gain admission. The study must have been undertaken at a recognized institution.
Where a university has two official languages, one being English, proof must be received from the Registrar/Academic
Affairs Office or equivalent that the applicant’s entire course was conducted in English.
For courses in the Sydney Nursing School the faculty has defined ‘satisfactory achievement as follows: To meet the
requirements of 'satisfactory achievement', applicants must have a record of satisfactory achievement in tertiary
studies in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and
assessment was English as defined below:
(a) a three year degree, completed no more than five years prior to commencement; or
(b) a degree of two or more years' duration, completed no more than three years prior to commencement.
In addition, for pre-registration courses, external bodies such as the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
may specify additional English language proficiency requirements for professional registration.
For courses at Sydney College of the Arts, the faculty has defined ‘satisfactory achievement as follows: To meet the
requirements of ‘satisfactory achievement’, applicants must present evidence of one year full-time university study in
which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was
English. To be ‘satisfactory’ the applicant must have a pass average if this qualification was not used to gain
admission. The study must have been undertaken at a recognized institution. Where a university has two official
languages, one being English, proof must be received from the Registrar/Academic Affairs Office or equivalent that the
applicant’s entire course was conducted in English.
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2.
English proficiency test results as outlined in Table 4 for Coursework and Table 5 for Research. English
language test scores have a validity of 2 years.
For other English tests accepted by the University, please refer to Table 6 - English language skills tests
concordance table to convert the IELTS requirement to TOEFL PB (Paper-based), TOEFL IBT (Internet-based
TOEFL), PTE (Pearsons Test of English), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English:
Proficiency (CPE).
Table 4 - English Language Proficiency Requirements for Postgraduate Coursework Courses
Faculty
All
Degree Program
Standard requirement
Faculty
Degree Program
Different requirements apply for the following postgraduate programs:
Architecture, Design and
Planning
Arts and Social Sciences
Business
Dentistry
Education and Social Work
Health Sciences
Law
Medicine
Music
Overall
score
6.5
IELTS
Section minimum+
6.0
IELTS
All programs
7.0
6.0
All coursework programs (except Master of
Human Rights and Democratisation and courses in
Public Administration** and those listed below
with specific requirements)
All coursework programs in US Studies
7.0
6.0
All coursework programs in Creative Writing and
Arts (with English as a specialisation)
All coursework programs in Economic Analysis
All coursework programs
All postgraduate coursework programs except
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Doctor of Dental Medicine
Master of Teaching
7.0
Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
All coursework programs in:
Exercise and Sports Science,
Diagnostic Radiography
All coursework programs in: Physiotherapy,
Master of Occupational Therapy
Master of Exercise Physiology,
Master of Speech Language Pathology
All programs except the Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor (JD)
All coursework programs in Clinical Trials
Research
All programs in:
Qualitative Health Research, Genetic Counselling
Master of Music Studies (Performance),
Graduate Diploma of Music (Performance)
Graduate Diploma of Music (Accompaniment)
Master of Music Studies (Conducting),
Master of Music Studies (Opera),
Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera)
7.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
6.5-S,W
6.0-L,R
7.0-W
6.0-L,R,S
6.5
6.0
6.5
6.0
8.0-L,S
7.0-R,W
7.0
6.5-S,W
6.0-L,R
7.0
7.0-S,W
6.0-L,R
7.0
7.0
7.5
7.0
6.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
6.5
6.0
6.0
7.0
6.5
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Master Music Studies (Opera Performance)
7.0
6.0
Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera Performance)
Nursing
All programs
7.0
7.0
Pharmacy
All coursework programs
7.0
6.5
Science
Master of Clinical Psychology^ (including the
7.0
7.0
combined degree with Doctor of Philosophy)
All coursework programs in Coaching Psychology^
7.5
6.0
Master of Environmental Science and Law
7.0
6.0
Master of Nutrition and Dietetics^
7.5
6.5
Veterinary Science
All programs (except Veterinary Public Health
7.0
6.5
Management and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine)
All coursework programs in Veterinary Public
7.0
7.0-S,W
Health Management
6.0-L,R
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
7.0
7.0
+IELTS, IBT sections and PTE Section minimums are: L-Listening, R-Reading, S-Speaking, W-Writing
** Master of Human Rights and Democratisation and all Public Administration courses have an IELTS requirement of
6.5 (6.0)
^IELTS is the only English test accepted for this course.
Table 5 - English Language Proficiency Requirements for Postgraduate Research Courses
Faculty
Degree Program
IELTS
Overall
score
All
Standard requirement
6.5
Different requirements apply for research programs at the following faculties/schools:
Architecture, Design and
All research programs
7.0
Planning, Law
Section minimum+
6.0
6.0
Business, Music, Veterinary
Science
All research degrees
7.0
6.5
Nursing
All research degrees
7.0
7.0
+IELTS, IBT sections and PTE Section minimums are: L-Listening, R-Reading, S-Speaking, W-Writing
Table 6 - English language skills tests concordance table
Overall Score
Individual
Skills Test
IELTS
Academic
TOEFL PB
TOEFL IBT
PTE
Academic
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
R/L/S/W
513
550
577
600
637
642
TWE
68
80
90
100
110
115
R/L/S
Writing
5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
4
4.5
4.5
5
5.5
6
21
22
23
24
25
27
22
23
24
25
26
27
46
54
61
68
76
79
Section
Minimum
46
54
61
68
76
79
Cambridge
English:
Advanced
(CAE)
Pre-2015
47
52
58
67
74
80
Section
Minimum
n/a
Borderline
Borderline
Good
Good
Exceptional
Cambridge
English:
Proficiency
(CPE)
Pre-2015
45
51
56
60
Section
Minimum
n/a
n/a
Weak
Weak
Weak
Borderline
Cambridge
English
scale: CAE
and CPE
(from 2015)
162
169
176
185
191
200
Section
Minimum
162
169
176
185
191
200
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About Test Scores
All IELTS and PTE requirements refer to the Academic test. Non-academic tests are not accepted. All English tests have
a validity of 2 years.
The University of Sydney is an international IELTS testing centre. If you would like to book an IELTS test or to find out
more information, please visit our Centre for English Teaching (CET) at: http://sydney.edu.au/cet/
English Courses at CET
If you do not meet the English requirements for your chosen course and you need to improve your standard of English
before you commence your degree, English courses are available at the University’s Centre for English Teaching (CET).
For more information, visit: http://sydney.edu.au/cet/
Applicants who achieve the required grades through the relevant CET English tests are not required to provide further
evidence of English proficiency. Students who have not undertaken the relevant English tests at CET will need to
provide evidence of meeting the English requirements for their course as specified in the tables above.
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