Important things to know
- UTS has English language proficiency requirements for every course.
- English language requirements apply to both international and domestic students.
Each UTS course has English language proficiency requirements which you must satisfy in order to be considered. The way UTS assesses your proficiency depends on whether you have studied in English before.
Some undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs may have additional English language requirements. We recommend reviewing all course details, including the special requirements section, to ensure you meet the course criteria.
I have previously studied in English
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If you have previously studied in English, you satisfy UTS’s minimum English language requirements if one of the options below is applicable to you.
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An assessable qualification is one of the following:
- Senior secondary studies comparable with the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC).
- One full year of Australian or comparable tertiary studies, including RATE Associate Diploma and Advanced Diploma, Associate degree, Bachelor degree and postgraduate studies
- Comparable AQF Diploma and Advanced Diploma.
- Australian or comparable non-award studies and tertiary preparation courses, with a full-time equivalence of one year.
Your qualification must have been undertaken in one of the following countries:
- American Samoa
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Canada
- Fiji
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland)
- United States of America
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
If your qualification is not from the above countries, you may still be eligible. See the section I have completed a course taught in English below for more details.
Many courses have further English language requirements. Be sure to check the special requirements section for additional criteria that relate to your course.
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If you do not have an assessable qualification from one of the countries listed above, you may still be able to satisfy UTS’s minimum English language requirements.
If you have successfully completed no less than the equivalent of one year full-time study of a secondary/post-secondary course that is taught in English (equivalent to the level of Australian Year 12 or higher), you satisfy UTS’s minimum English language requirements. However, your course must be delivered by an institution that is:
- public or private
- accredited by a government, and
- recognised by UTS.
You must provide an official document from your institution on the institution letterhead certifying that the medium of instruction for your qualification was English.
Acceptable assessable courses of study include:
- senior secondary studies comparable with the New South Wales Higher School Certificate (HSC)
- one full year of Australian or comparable tertiary studies, including RATE Associate Diploma and Advanced Diploma, Associate degree, Bachelor degree and postgraduate studies
- comparable AQF Diploma and Advanced Diploma
- Australian or comparable non-award studies and tertiary preparation courses.
Many courses have further English language requirements. Be sure to check the special requirements section for additional criteria that relate to your course.
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The following is also recognised by UTS as meeting UTS’s minimum English language requirements:
- UTS College Academic English Level 5 (AE5). You must have achieved a “Pass” for courses with an English language admission requirement of IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in writing
- High school English mark equal to or greater than 75% from Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway or Switzerland
- Australian TAFE (NSW) Certificate IV in English for Academic Purposes (EAP).
- Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program subjects ‘English A: literature’ or ‘English A: language and literature. This is applicable if the Diploma Program was taught in a language other than English.
- A result of level 4 or above in the core subject English in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination.
UTS also considers students who have completed the Cambridge C2 Proficiency qualification. The minimum scores depend on your chosen course.
IELTS academic overall score required for UTS course Equivalent C2 Proficiency score required 8.0 200 or above 7.5 191-199 7.0 185-190 6.5 176-184
I have not studied in English
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If your previous education was not conducted in English, you are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by completing an English language test or program recognised by UTS. English language proficiency test scores are recognised if they were obtained less than 2 years before you applied to UTS. For IELTS OSR, the validity period is 2 years from the one skill re-take date.
Each course at UTS requires different English language test results to satisfy the language requirement. For all combined courses, the highest English language requirement test scores apply.
Please note that the TOEFL Paper-Based Test is currently being phased out by TOEFL. UTS will continue to accept TOEFL IBT and TOEFL IBT Home Edition scores, provided the test was taken within the 2 years prior to application at UTS.
See English language requirements for:
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The minimum scores you need depends on your chosen course. Please also check the special requirements section for other requirements that you need to consider.
The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Bachelor of Science Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (C10404)
- Bachelor of Communication in Creative Writing Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (C10405)
- Bachelor of Business Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (C10449)
- Bachelor of Economics Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (C10450)
- Bachelor of Education Futures Master of Teaching in Primary Education (C10480)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 7.5 8.0 8.0 7.0 7.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition) 102-109 26 28 24 27 PTE (academic) 73-78 79 79 65 65 C1A/C2P 191-199 200 200 185 185 The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Bachelor of Nursing (C10122)
- Bachelor of Nursing Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (C10351)
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (C09018)
- Bachelor of Midwifery (C10225)
- Bachelor of Midwifery Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (C10329)
- Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) (C09051)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/OSR) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based; 0-120) 94 23 24 24 24 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4.5 4.5 5 5 5 PTE (academic) 66 66 66 66 56 C1A/C2P 185 185 185 185 176 OET B B B C+ The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) (C09170)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/OSR) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based; 0-120) 94 23 24 24 24 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4.5 4.5 5 5 5 PTE (academic) 66 66 66 66 56 The minimum score for all other courses:
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 6.5 6.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 79 21 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 1-6) 4 4.5 PTE (academic) 58-64 50 C1A/C2P 176-184 169 AE5 Pass Note: For all combined courses, the applicable English language requirement is the higher of the scores of the two component courses.
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The minimum scores you need depends on your chosen course. Please also check the special requirements section for any other requirements that you may need to consider.
The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Teaching in Primary Education (C04326)
- Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (C04255)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 7.5 8.0 8.0 7.0 7.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition) 102 26 28 24 27 PTE (academic) 73-78 79 79 65 65 C1A/C2P 191-199 200 200 185 185 The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Graduate Certificate in Executive Management (C11338)
- Executive Master of Business Administration (C04424)
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/online) 7.0 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 94 24 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 1-6) 4.5 5 PTE (academic) 65-72 58 C1A/C2P 185-190 176 The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Pharmacy (C04252)
- Master of Clinical Psychology (C04300)
- Master of Physiotherapy (C04306)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) – UTS Online
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/OSR) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based; 0-120) 94 23 24 24 24 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4.5 4.5 5 5 5 PTE (academic) 66 66 66 66 56 The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Genetic Counselling (C04374)
- Master of Speech Pathology (C04386)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/OSR) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 TOEFL (internet-based, excluding Home Edition; 0-120) 94 23 24 24 27 TOEFL (internet-based, excluding Home Edition; 1-6) 4.5 4.5 5 5 5 PTE (academic) 65 65 65 65 65 C1A/C2P 185 185 185 185 185 The minimum scores for the UTS Online courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Advanced Nursing (C04408)
- Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (C11303)
- Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing (C11357)
- Graduate Certificate in Critical Care (C11331)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/OSR) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based; 0-120) 94 23 24 24 24 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4.5 4.5 5 5 5 PTE (academic) 66 66 66 66 56 C1A/C2P 185 185 185 185 176 OET B B B C+
The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Orthopics (C04299)
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/OSR) 6.5 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based – excluding Home Edition; 0-120) 79 24 TOEFL (internet-based – excluding Home Edition; 1-6) 4 5 PTE (academic) 58-64 58 C1A/C2P 176-184 176 The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Animation and Visualisation (C04423)
- Graduate Certificate in Animation and Visualisation (C11326)
Overall Speaking Listening Reading Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 79 20 20 19 21 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 1-6) 4 4.5 4 4 4.5 PTE (academic) 58-64 58 58 58 50 C1A/C2P 176-184 176 176 176 169 Minimum scores for all other courses:
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 6.5 6.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 79 21 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4 4.5 PTE (academic) 58-64 50 C1A/C2P 176-184 169 UTS College Academic English Level 5 (AE5) Pass -
The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- All Business research courses, except Master of Business (Research) (C03069)
- All Health research courses
- All Communication research courses
- All Education research courses
- All International Studies research courses
- All Graduate School of Health research courses
- All Law research courses
- All Sustainable Futures research courses
- All Analytics and Data Science (Connected Intelligence Centre) research courses
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD Thesis: Transdisciplinary Innovation) (C02092)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD Thesis: Learning Analytics) (C02107)
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 7.0 7.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 94 27 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4.5 5.5 PTE (academic) 65-72 65 C1A/C2P 185-190 185 UTS College Academic English Level 6 (AE6) Pass The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- Master of Business (Research) (C03069)
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 7.0 6.5 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 94 24 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4.5 5 PTE (academic) 65-72 58 C1A/C2P 185-190 176 The minimum scores for the courses in the list below can be found in the following table.
- All Design, Architecture and Building research courses
- All Engineering research courses
- All Information Technology research courses
- All Science research courses
- All Transdisciplinary Innovation research courses
Overall Writing IELTS (academic/online/OSR) 6.5 6.0 TOEFL (internet-based/Home Edition; 0-120) 79 21 TOEFL (internet-based; 1-6) 4 4.5 PTE (academic) 58-64 50 C1A/C2P 176-184 169 UTS College Academic English Level 5 (AE5) Pass
For more information on English tests that may be considered by UTS, visit the links below. All links open to external websites.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- International English Language Testing System Online (IELTS Online)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS One Skill Retake – OSR)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): If you sit the TOEFL test, you must arrange for the official score report to be sent directly to UTS. The UTS institutional code for TOEFL is 0743.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
- Academic English Level 5 (AE5): AE5 is an English language program offered by UTS College as a pathway to UTS. The UTS College CRICOS provider number is 00859D.
- Occupational English Test (OET)
Special requirements
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Find additional requirements that you may have to consider if your course is in one the following faculties. There are also special requirements for students sponsored through aid programs, found below.
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Special requirements for the courses in the list below:
- Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (C04255) and all degrees combined with the Master of Teaching in Secondary Education
Applicants who have previously studied in English only satisfy the English language requirements for these courses if they have successfully completed an undergraduate qualification of at least 3 years that was taught and assessed solely in English from one of the below countries:
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
- United States of America
- Canada
- Republic of Ireland
If you have not studied in English, or have not satisfied the above requirement, you must take an English language test recognised by UTS. Find out more in the I have not studied in English section.
Special requirements for the courses in the list below:
- Master of Animation and Visualisation (C04423)
- Graduate Certificate in Animation and Visualisation (C11326)
Applicants who have previously studied in English must meet one of the criteria listed above under ‘I have previously studied in English’ to satisfy language requirements, with the exception of UTS College Academic English Level 5 (AE5), which is not an accepted program.
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Special requirements for the courses in the list below:
- Bachelor of Nursing (C10122)
- Bachelor of Nursing Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (C10351)
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (C09018)
- Bachelor of Midwifery (C10225)
- Bachelor of Midwifery Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (C10329)
- Bachelor of Midwifery (Honours) (C09051)
And the following UTS Online courses:
- Master of Advanced Nursing (C04408)
- Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (C11303)
- Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing (C11357)
- Graduate Certificate in Critical Care (C11331)
The English language requirements of these courses align with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (external site) English Language proficiency criteria. English requirements for these courses can be found under the I have not studied in English section.
Test results must be no more than 2 years old at the time your course begins and must come from a single sitting. The test scores from 2 different tests cannot be combined. However, a maximum of 2 sittings of the same test, in a 12-month period is acceptable only if:
- IELTS (academic/OSR): an overall score of 7 in each sitting and a minimum score of 7 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 6.5 for writing across the 2 sittings, and no score in any component of the test(s) is below 6.5.
- TOEFL (internet-based): a total score of 94 in each sitting and a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing and 23 for speaking across the 2 sittings, and no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking.
- PTE (academic): a minimum overall score of 66 in each sitting and a minimum score of 66 in each of the communicative skills of listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 56 in writing across the 2 sittings, and no score in any of the communicative skills of the test(s) is below 56.
- OET: a minimum score of B in the listening, reading and speaking component and a minimum score of C+ in the writing component across the two sittings. No score in any component of the test(s) is below C+.
- C1A/C2P: a minimum score of 185 in each component for listening, reading, and speaking, and a minimum score of 176 for writing across the 2 sittings, and no score in any component of the test(s) is below 176.
For applicants who declare English as their primary language, only the following evidence will be accepted:
- Satisfactorily completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed in English in a recognised country, including at least 2 years between years 7 and 12. A list of recognised countries is provided at the bottom of this section.
- Completed a full-time equivalent of at least 5 years of continuous education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country. A list of recognised countries is provided at the bottom of this section. The 5 years of continuous education can be completed across secondary, vocational and/or tertiary education.
All applicants to the enrolled nurse stream in the Bachelor of Nursing must have:
- a Satisfactory completion of an ANMAC approved Diploma of Nursing program within the last 5 years; and
- a current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) registration as an enrolled nurse.
Special requirements for the UTS Online courses in the list below:
- Master of Advanced Nursing (C04408)
- Graduate Certificate in Advanced Nursing (C11303)
- Graduate Certificate in Acute Care Nursing (C11357)
- Graduate Certificate in Critical Care (C11331)
Valid Ahpra registration will be accepted.
Recognised countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Anguilla
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guernsey
- Guyana
- Isle of Man
- Jamaica
- Jersey
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- US Virgin Islands
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Special requirements for the courses in the list below:
- Master of Pharmacy (C04252)
- Master of Physiotherapy (C04306)
- Master of Clinical Psychology (C04300)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) (C06149)
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) (C09170)
For applicants who do not have English as their primary language, your test results must be from one test sitting. The test scores from 2 different tests cannot be combined. However, a maximum of 2 sittings of the same test in a 12-month period is acceptable only if:
- IELTS (Academic/OSR): an overall score of 7 in each sitting and a minimum score of 7 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 6.5 for writing across the two sittings, and no score in any component of the test(s) is below 6.5.
- TOEFL (internet-based): a total score of 94 in each sitting and a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and no score in any of the sections is below 20 for listening, 19 for reading, 24 for writing and 20 for speaking.
- PTE (Academic): a minimum overall score of 66 in each sitting and a minimum score of 66 in each of the communicative skills of listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 56 in writing across the two sittings, and no score in any of the communicative skills of the test(s) is below 56.
Special requirements for the courses below:
- Master of Pharmacy (C04252)
- Master of Physiotherapy (C04306)
- Master of Orthoptics (C04299)
- Master of Speech Pathology (C04386)
- Master of Genetic Counselling (C04374)
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) (C06149) – UTS Online
- Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) (C09170)
Applicants who have previously studied in English may only satisfy the English language requirements for these courses if they have successfully completed tertiary qualifications in the relevant degree of at least 3 years that was taught and assessed solely in English from a recognised country. A list of recognised countries are provided at the bottom of this page.
In order to provide sufficient evidence to support this, you will need to submit an official document from your institution on the institution letterhead certifying that your tertiary qualification was taught and assessed solely in English.
If you have not studied English, or have not satisfied the above requirement, you must take an English language test recognised by UTS. Find out more in the I have not studied English section.
For Pharmacy and Physiotherapy courses, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) may have additional English Language Requirements for registration at the completion of the course.
Special requirements for the courses in the list below:
- Master of Clinical Pyschology (C04300)
Applicants must demonstrate their English competency in one of the approved pathways listed in the English Language Skills Registration Standard outlined by the Psychology Board of Australia (opens external link). These requirements are also applied by AHPRA for eligibility for Provisional Registration once students are enrolled in the course. There are 3 approved pathways.
To satisfy the combined education pathway, you have successfully completed:
- at least 2 years of secondary education, taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country; and
- your qualification(s) for your profession, which was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country.
A list of recognised countries can be found at the bottom of the page.
To satisfy the school education pathway, English is your main language and you have successfully completed:
- at least 10 years of your primary and secondary school education which was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country. A list of recognised countries can be found at the bottom of the page; and
- your qualification(s) for your profession, which were taught and assessed in any country solely in English.
To satisfy the advanced education pathway, you have successfully completed:
- at least 6 years (full-time equivalent) of advanced (otherwise known as tertiary) education in total, taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country. A list of recognised countries can be found at the bottom of the page. Your education must be at a degree level (AQF level 7 or higher) and required you to read, write, listen to and speak English. A maximum of two years’ break while obtaining your qualifications and advanced education will be accepted; and
- your qualification(s) for your profession.
Recognised countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Anguilla
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Dominica
- Falkland Islands
- Gibraltar
- Grenada
- Guernsey
- Guyana
- Isle of Man
- Jamaica
- Jersey
- Malta
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- US Virgin Islands
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Special consideration for English language requirements may be given to applicants sponsored through aid programs (e.g. Australia Awards, World Bank, etc.). In some countries the Australian embassy may have different English language requirements for those seeking a student visa. Check with your nearest Australian Diplomatic Post before registering for an English language test.
UTS also accepts diplomas and advanced diplomas from Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognised tertiary institutions in Australia as well as most other Australian foundation studies programs.