All applicants wishing to undertake an undergraduate or postgraduate course at the University of Canberra must meet the English Proficiency requirements.

The minimum English Proficiency requirement is an Academic IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent. Applicants should note that individual courses may have higher English Proficiency requirements.

Applicants meet the University’s English Proficiency requirements if:

1. They were born in Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, Western Samoa or Zambia; and
2. They have at least one qualification from one of the countries listed; and
3. The language in which they undertook the qualification was in English.

Applicants also meet the University’s English Proficiency requirements if:

1. They were not born in one of the above countries, but have undertaken at least two (2) years senior secondary study or at least one (1) year of full-time tertiary study in one of these countries, and the language in which they undertook the qualification was in English
2. Their tertiary studies are carried out overseas where the medium of instruction of the course is English and that applicant has completed at least two (2) years full-time study in a non-science area (applicants should provide an official letter from their previous university confirming study in English).

Applicants who do not meet the requirements detailed above can satisfy the University’s English Proficiency by demonstrating the required results in the following Tests. The table below provides an indication of the score comparisons required for entry.

Overall Score Comparison

Please note: These test scores should be no more than two (2) years old at the time of application to the University of Canberra.

More Information on English Language Tests

Further information on these tests including booking arrangements can be found on the Test Centre’s websites:

Cambridge English Advanced Exam: Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) – Advanced English language exam | Cambridge ESOL

IELTS: IELTS - International English Language Testing System| Home

PTE: Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - Setting the New Standard

TOEFL: TOEFL: Home

Meeting English Proficiency by Other Means:

Applicants may meet English Proficiency requirements by other means, including study at English Language Institutes in Australia and overseas. Applicants should include all transcripts and certificates at the time of application to assist assessment of English Proficiency by these means.

Applicants meeting the English Proficiency requirements by other means will not be required to undertake English Language Testing unless it is a requirement of the International Student Visa. For further information please refer to the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/english-requirements.htm

Applicants who do not meet the University of Canberra’s English Proficiency requirement:

Applicants who do not meet the University’s English Proficiency requirement may undertake their chosen degree via a pathway program through the University of Canberra English Language Institute (UCELI) or the University of Canberra College (UCC).

Further information can be accessed at:

UCELI: UC English Language Institute

UCC: University of Canberra College