All applicants, whether local or international, for admission to any UNSW program delivered either in Australia or overseas, who do not have an assessable qualification undertaken and assessed in English, must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission.

 

Applicants will be deemed to have satisfied the English Language requirements if they can provide evidence that they meet one or more of the following criteria:

 

The required evidence may take the form of results from an acceptable English Language test undertaken no more than two years prior to the commencement of the program at UNSW.

 

Applicants who have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study at a University or other post-secondary educational institution, where the sole language of instruction and assessment was English, will not be required to undertake a language test, if they can provide a statement or certificate, issued by the Registrar's office (or equivalent) of that institution confirming this.

 

The statement or certificate must be on headed paper, and must be an original copy.

 

The study must have been completed no more than two years prior to the commencement of the program at UNSW.

 

Alternatively, applicants whose first language is not English, but who have satisfactorily completed a degree or other post-secondary qualification of a minimum duration of three full-time years, or equivalent, where the sole language of instruction and assessment was English, will not be required to take an English test, provided that they have resided in an English-speaking country since graduation. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of residency before an offer will be issued.

 

UNSW recognises a number of English Language tests as meeting the University's English Language requirements. Accepted English Language tests, together with their minimum results needed for admission can be found here.

 

Applicants who provide an English test result which fails to meet the minimum standard required by the University, or who fail to provide any evidence of English language proficiency, will be assessed for eligibility for admission and, if successful, will be issued with a Conditional Offer of admission.

 

A Full Offer of admission will be issued only when the English language proficiency has been met.

 

Conditional Offers are not available to Local Undergraduate applicants

 

International applicants who have a minimum IELTS overall score of 5.0 may apply for a Conditional Package Offer. A package offer may be given if applicants have the academic qualifications required for entry, but whose IELTS results did not meet the English Language Requirements.

 

Note: package offers for applicants holding a TOEFL test may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

The package offer is valid for the UNSW Institute of Languages University English Entry Course (UEEC) only, and is subject to acceptance by the Institute of Languages. A package offer enables applicants to apply for a student visa for the duration of both the English Language program and the UNSW studies.

Regardless of UNSW's requirements, international applicants should be aware that they must still satisfy the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) English language requirements for visa applications.

 

The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students requires international students to meet the English proficiency criteria applicable to the Migrant Regulations for their home country. Please see sections 26 - 28 of the National Code for further details.

 

Applicants who are not able to demonstrate that they meet one or more of the criteria above, but who, nevertheless, believe that they satisfy the University's English Language requirements, may apply, in writing, to their respective Admissions Office (see Further Information, below) for consideration of a waiver. Such applicants must justify the request and provide alternative evidence, as appropriate.

 

The procedure for granting waivers of the English proficiency requirements will require the Program Authority to justify the waiver in writing, and approval from the Faculty's Presiding Member. The Director, Student Services, or his/her nominee, will consider each recommendation on the grounds of equity and, if appropriate, ESOS compliance

 

In cases where a student is being considered for a waiver, normally he/she must have achieved an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 or a TOEFL score (paper-based test) of at least 550, with a minimum score of 4.5 in the TWE, a TOEFL score (computer-based test) of at least 213, with a minimum score of 4.5 in the essay component, or a TOEFL score (internet test) of at least 79, with a minimum score of 21 in Writing.

 

When waiver recommendations include a requirement to undertake English language improvement or support, then the Program Authority is responsible for costs associated with this improvement or support, whether this is provided by the Learning Centre, UNSWIL, or the Faculty's own program.

International applicants should be aware that students from Assessment Level 3 or 4 countries [DIMA classification] must present an IELTS test result and achieve an overall score of 6.0 in order to be granted a student visa for university level study. Details of the DIMA requirements and the Assessment level of
countries can be found at www.immi.gov.au.

 

Please note, all students from Thai Institutions applying for programs within the Australian School of Business will be required to provide an IELTS, TOEFL or other UNSW approved language course test result as proof of language ability.  Students must meet the UNSW IELTS requirement of 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.  For other acceptable tests and scores, please see the English requirements policy.

 

The UNSW Institute of Languages (UNSWIL) offers comprehensive general and academic English language preparation programs. Academic English courses enable a smooth transition to successful university study. These programs cater for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Institute provides the Academic English Course for the UNSW Foundation Year.

 

For a list of test centres click here