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English language requirements

English language requirements

UniSQ welcomes students from all over the world. To enrol at UniSQ, you will need to meet the minimum English language requirements – this applies to all domestic and international students.

Standard English language requirements apply to most UniSQ programs. However, for some programs there are different or higher requirements which are usually set by the relevant external or professional accreditation body.

When applying to UniSQ, there are multiple ways you can demonstrate that you meet the English language requirements, as outlined in the English Language Requirements Proficiency Procedure.

If you need to improve your English language skills, our English Language Programs can help.

Standard requirements

Standard requirements information

This section specifies the standard requirements of tests and qualifications that are accepted for admission to most undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

These lists are not exhaustive. Other proof of English proficiency may be considered, and applications are assessed individually.

Students progressing from the Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) program to an undergraduate program will need to demonstrate the English language proficiency required for entry to the relevant undergraduate program as indicated in the tables.

Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Overall minimum score of 5.5 and no individual band score of less than 5.0.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Overall minimum score of 6.0 and no individual band score of less than 5.5.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Overall minimum score of 6.5 and no individual band score of less than 6.0.

Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Overall score of 50 and no individual Communicative Skills score of less than 50.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Overall score of 50 and no individual Communicative Skills score of less than 50.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Overall score of 58 and no individual Communicative Skills score of less than 58.

Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Overall minimum score of 70 and no individual skills score of less than 18.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Overall minimum score of 80 and no individual skills score of less than 19.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Overall minimum score of 90 and no individual skills score of less than 20.


Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Overall minimum score of 162 with no less than 154 in each skill.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Overall minimum score of 169 with no less than 162 in each skill.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Overall minimum score of 185 with no less than 185 in each skill.

 

Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Successful completion of at least two years full-time equivalent secondary school study in Australia or a recognised English-speaking country, or where the language of instruction is English. Applicants may also be required to complete a University-administered English language proficiency test.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 qualification or equivalent from a recognised English-speaking country, or where the language of instruction is English. Applicants should check Assumed Knowledge expectations for English for their chosen program of study.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 qualification or equivalent from a recognised English-speaking country, or where the language of instruction is English. Applicants should check Assumed Knowledge expectations for English for their chosen program of study.


Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Successful completion of at least one year full-time equivalent study in Australia or a recognised English-speaking country, or where the language of instruction is English.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

  • Successful completion of at least two years full-time equivalent study in Australia or a recognised English-speaking country, or where the language of instruction is English.
  • Successful completion of one-year full time equivalent at a recognised partner or exchange institution

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Successful completion of at least two years full-time equivalent study in Australia or a recognised English-speaking country, or where the language of instruction is English.

 

Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Successful completion of English for Academic Purposes Program (EAPS).

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Successful completion of English for Academic Purposes Program (EAPS).

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Not accepted.


Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

 Successful completion of Academic Communication Skills Program 1, 2 or 3 (ACS 1, 2 or 3).

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

 Successful completion of Academic Communication Skills Program 1, 2 or 3 (ACS 1, 2 or 3).

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

 Successful completion of Academic Communication Skills Program 1, 2 or 3 (ACS 1, 2 or 3).


Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (COUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS) program or the Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS) program.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS) program or the Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS) program.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS) program or the Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS) program.

Standard English language requirements for varying levels of study:

Non-Award Pathway and Enabling Studies; Undergraduate Certificates and Diplomas; Undergraduate Certificate of University Studies (UCUS); Diploma of Multidisciplinary Studies (DMDS)

Successful completion of TPP0122 and TPP0123.

Professional Development Single Courses; Exchange and Study Abroad; Undergraduate Diplomas; Undergraduate Programs

Successful completion of TPP0122 and TPP0123.

Postgraduate Coursework programs; Higher Degrees by Research including Master by Research and Doctoral Degrees

Not accepted.

Non-standard requirements

Non-standard requirements information

This section specifies non-standard requirements of tests and qualifications and the specific programs they apply to. 

English language proficiency for the programs listed below must be met by the criteria listed. Other evidence of English proficiency including online versions of other tests will not be considered for admission to these programs.

English proficiency test results are regarded as valid for two years from the test date, unless otherwise specified for the relevant program.

Recognised English-speaking countries

Restricted to: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America

To be eligible for the Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours), you must meet one or more of the below criteria.

IELTS (Academic)  Overall minimum score of 8 with a minimum of 8 in speaking and writing
Pearson Test of English  Overall minimum score of 79 with a communicative score of 79 or higher
TOEFL iBT Overall minimum score of 115 with a minimum of 29 in each subtest

The below table is relevant for: 

For each of the above degrees you are required to meet one or more of the below criteria.

IELTS (Academic) 
  • A score of at least 8.0 for Speaking and Listening
  • A score of at least 7.0 for Reading and Writing
  • An average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing
International Second Language Proficiency Ratings (ISLPR) 

A rating of at least 4 in each of the skill areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. 

Please note that the assessment must be completed at an approved testing site.
 Professional English Assessment for Teachers (PEAT) Assessment of A in all four areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

 

Current Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) provisional or full registration meets the English language requirement.

*Teacher registration is the responsibility of jurisdictional authorities and the specifications for English Language requirements are set out under the relevant regulatory schemes. 


The below table is relevant for: 

For each of the above degrees you are required to meet one or more of the below criteria.*

IELTS (Academic)

Minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Pearson Test of English

Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
 TOEFL iBT Minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening and reading; 27 for writing; 23 for speaking.

 

*Additional requirements regarding prior education taught and assessed solely in English and prior employment - refer to the relevant Registration Standard for further information.

 
  1. NMBA Registration Standard: English Language Skills
  2. AHPRA Registration Standard: English Language Skills
  3. PBA Registration Standard: English Language Skills

Current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration meets the English language requirement for the Bachelor of Nursing program.  

Please refer to the bachelor of nursing and Bachelor of midwifery (graduate entry)  - accepted english language tests section for more details.

Accepted English Language Tests include:

  1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic module
    Applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking. UniSQ only accepts test results from one test sitting, OR a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
    1. Applicants receive a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting; AND
    2. Applicants achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component across the two sittings; AND
    3. no score in any component of the test is below 6.5.

  2. Occupational English Test (OET) for nurses
    Applicants must achieve a minimum score of B in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking. UniSQ only accepts test results from one test sitting, OR a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
    1. Applicants are tested in all four components in each sitting; AND
    2. Applicants achieve a minimum score of B in each of the four components across the two sittings; AND
    3. no score in any component of the test is below C.

  3. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
    Applicants must achieve a minimum overall score of 65 AND a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking. UniSQ only accepts test results from one test sitting, OR a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
    1. Applicants achieve a minimum overall score of 65 in each test sitting; AND
    2. Applicants achieve a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills across the two sittings; AND
    3. no score in any of the communicative skills is below 58.

  4. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT
    Applicants must achieve a minimum total score of 94 AND the following minimum score in each section of the test - 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking. UniSQ only accepts test results from one test sitting, OR a maximum of two test sittings in a six-month period only if:
    1. Applicants achieve a minimum total score of 94 in each test sitting; AND
    2. Applicants achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two test sittings; AND
    3. no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking.

  5. NMBA Registered
    NMBA Registered Enrolled Nurses when entering a Bachelor of Nursing program by an Enrolled Nurse pathway will automatically meet the required English language skills standard.

  6. NMBA Registered
    Current NMBA Registered Nurses when entering a Bachelor of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) program will automatically meet the required English language skills standard.

The below table is relevant for: 

For each of the above degrees you are required to meet one or more of the below criteria.

IELTS (Academic)  Overall minimum score of 7 with a minimum of 7 in each subtest
Pearson Test of English

Overall minimum of 65 with a minimum of 65 on a communicative score
TOEFL iBT Overall minimum score of 95 with a minimum of 22 in each subtest

 

Please refer to the law, science and exercise science section for relevant information about our Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science degree.


The below table is relevant for: 

For each of the above degrees you are required to meet one or more of the below criteria.

IELTS (Academic)  Overall minimum score of 6.5 with a minimum 6 in each subtest           
Pearson Test of English
 Overall score of 58 with no subscore less than 58
TOEFL iBT Overall minimum of 90 and 20 in each subtest

The below table is relevant for: 

For each of the above degrees you are required to meet one or more of the below criteria.

IELTS (Academic)  Overall score of 6 with a minimum 5.5 in each subtest          
Pearson Test of English
 Overall score of 50 with no subscore less than 50
TOEFL iBT Overall minimum of 80 and 19 in each subtest

Get in touch

If you have any questions, our friendly team is here to help:

Domestic applicants: study@unisq.edu.au

International applicants: international@unisq.edu.au