If you are applying to UNSW, you will need to meet our English language requirements. There are many ways that you can meet our English language requirements. Check below to see which one applies to you.
COVID-19 Alternative Arrangements
In response to COVID-19, which led to widespread disruption of English language testing, UNSW will:
- Accept English Language Test scores and prior studies in English (including High School) completed no more than three years before your intended start date. This will be accepted for intakes up until Term 1 2021.
- Accept the following English language tests:
- IELTS Indicator – Refer to “IELTS Academic in the English Language Test Scores” option below for minimum requirements.
- TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition – Refer to “TOEFL iBT in the English Language Test Scores” option below for minimum requirements.
- Duolingo English Test* – Refer to “Duolingo English Test Scores” option below for minimum requirements.
*Duolingo English Test will be accepted for applicants located in China and Iran only provided the test is completed by 31 January 2021
Please select an option below.
UNSW accepts prior study results to meet our English language requirements on certain conditions. Check to see if your qualification or situation meets the criteria and conditions.
Senior Secondary results completed in a recognised English-speaking country will meet our English language requirements if they:
- Were taught and examined in English
- Were attempted no more than two years before your intended start date.
UNSW recognises some academic qualifications (including the International Baccalaureate) completed in non-English speaking countries.
Qualifications from Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore or the United Kingdom will meet our English language requirements provided they were:
- gained no more than two years before your intended start date, and
- meet the minimum scores for your desired course.
Check below to see if your qualification is eligible for your desired course.
| Qualification | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| German Abitur | Grade 12 in English All Built Environment and Business programs: Grade 13 in English All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | Level 4 in English Language or Literature in English All Business, Medicine, Education, Built Environment and Law programs: 5 in English Language or Literature in English |
| All India Senior School Certificate - [CBSE] | Grade of C1 in English Core All Built Environment and Business programs: Grade of B2 in English Core All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
| Indian School Certificate - [ICSE] | 70% in English All Built Environment and Business programs: 80% in English All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) | Grade 4 or above in one of the following IB English courses:
|
| Malaysia – Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) | C pass in 920 English All Built Environment, Business, Education, Law and Medicine programs: A in Literature (920) |
| Singapore - Cambridge GCE A Levels | C grade in a Humanities* Higher 1 (H1) or Higher 2 (H2) subject or C grade in the General Paper All Built Environment, Business, Education, Law and Medicine programs: A in English Language and Linguistics *A Humanities subject is an Arts or Social Science subject which is taught in English, where you will have a substantial amount of reading, essay writing and written exams. Humanities subjects: Ancient History/Classical studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Citizenship Studies, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking (formerly Critical and Contextual Studies), Drama and Theatre, Economics, English (English Language/English Literature), Film Studies, General Studies, Global Perspectives and Research, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Humanities, Journalism, Law, Media Studies (Media is not a humanities subject), Philosophy, Religious Studies, Social Policies, Sociology, World Development. |
| United Kingdom - GCE A Levels | A minimum of grade C in a Humanities-based* subject at an A2 level or a minimum of grade C in the General Paper at an A2 level All Built Environment, Business, Education, Law and Medicine programs: A grade in Humanities* or English (A2) level or an A in English Language and Literature or English Language at an (AS) level *A Humanities subject is an Arts or Social Science subject which is taught in English, where you will have a substantial amount of reading, essay writing and written exams. Humanities subjects: Ancient History/Classical studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Citizenship Studies, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, Critical Thinking (formerly Critical and Contextual Studies), Drama and Theatre, Economics, English (English Language/English Literature), Film Studies, General Studies, Global Perspectives and Research, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Humanities, Journalism, Law, Media Studies (Media is not a humanities subject), Philosophy, Religious Studies, Social Policies, Sociology, World Development. |
| Swiss Matura | A grade of 5 (good) or better in English All Built Environment and Business programs: A grade of 6 (very good) or better in English All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
Qualifications from Denmark, Sweden or Norway will meet our English language requirements provided they were:
- completed within four years before your intended start date , and
- meet the minimum scores for your desired course.
Check below to see if your qualification is eligible for your desired course.
| Qualification | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Denmark - Danish Studentereksamen or Higher Preparatory Examination | Grade 7 in English in the final year (English B or English A) All Built Environment and Business programs: Very good or grade 10 in English All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
| Norway - Norwegian Certificate of Upper Secondary Education | Grade 4 in the First Year of Upper Secondary English (if this is the only completed English subject); or average Grade 4 in all completed Upper Secondary English subjects All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
| Sweden - Swedish Secondary School Leaving Certificate | Grade D in English in the final year (English 6/English Course B) All Built Environment and Business programs: Very Good (VG) or B in English All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
Check to see if your qualification meets our minimum entry scores for your desired course.
| Qualification | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| UNSW Foundation Studies | C+ in Academic English Please note that the English language entry requirements are higher for the following programs:
|
| University Preparation Program (UPP) & UNSW Preparation Program (UNSW Prep) | Successful completion of the program All Education, Law and Medicine programs: Not accepted |
| Foundation Program from an Australian Group of Eight (Go8) University | Grade C+ or 70% in English
|
| Australian TAFE / Private Provider Studies | Completed AQF Diploma or completed AQF Advanced Diploma All Bachelor of Education programs : Not accepted Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) programs: Not accepted Graduate Diploma in Psychology: Not accepted Master of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic) including combined PhD/Master programs: Not accepted |
UNSW accepts completed or incomplete post-secondary or tertiary qualifications completed in English to meet our English language requirements depending on whether you are also a citizen of an English-speaking country. Check below to see if your situation meets our requirements.
Note: Not applicable for the Bachelor of Education (any program), Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) or Master of Psychology (Clinical, Forensic and Organisational) including combined PhD/Master.
Completed Qualification
If you hold a completed qualification, and you hold citizenship of a recognised English-speaking country, you will meet our English language requirements if your qualification was:
- an AQF Diploma or higher from a recognised institution,
- taught and examined in English.
Please provide:
- a statement or certificate issued by the Registrar, or equivalent, confirming that the sole language of instruction and assessment was in English. Your statement or certificate must be on official letterhead and you will need to provide the original document,
- proof of citizenship.
If you hold a completed qualification, and you do not hold citizenship of a recognised English-speaking country, you will meet our English language requirements if your qualification was:
- an AQF Diploma or higher from a recognised institution,
- taught and examined in English,
- gained within the two years before you start your degree at UNSW.
Please provide:
- a statement or certificate issued by the Registrar, or equivalent, confirming that the sole language of instruction and assessment was in English. Your statement or certificate must be on official letterhead and you will need to provide the original document.
If you hold a completed qualification, and you do not hold citizenship of a recognised English-speaking country, you will meet our English language requirements if your qualification was:
- a minimum three years in length from a recognised university,
- taught and examined in English,
- gained more than two years before you start your degree at UNSW,
- you have been a resident in Australia or another recognised English-speaking country since graduation and meet one of the following conditions:
- You can prove you have seven years’ experience in an English-language environment either academic or work in the following way: your qualification was a minimum three years in length from a recognised university, taught and examined in English, gained more than two years before you start your degree at UNSW plus you have direct work experience in an English-speaking country where the sole language of business was English for at least four out of the seven years prior to the start of your degree at UNSW.* OR
- You can prove you have seven years’ experience in an English-language environment either academic or work in the following way: your qualification was a minimum four years in length from a recognised university or from UNSW, taught and examined in English, gained more than two years before you start your degree at UNSW plus you have direct work experience in an English-speaking country where the sole language of business was English for at least three out of the seven years prior to the start of your degree at UNSW.*
Please provide:
- a statement or certificate issued by the Registrar, or equivalent, confirming that the sole language of instruction and assessment was in English. Your statement or certificate must be on official letterhead and you will need to provide the original document,
- a CV, and a letter from your previous employer/s stating that the sole language of business communication was English.
Incomplete Qualification
If you hold an incomplete qualification, you will meet our English language requirement for specific degrees if your studies were:
- undertaken no more than two years prior to commencement of UNSW degree,
- taught and examined in English,
Please provide:
- a statement or certificate issued by the Registrar, or equivalent, confirming that the sole language of instruction and assessment was in English. Your statement or certificate must be on official letterhead and you will need to provide the original document.
Check below to see if your length of study meets the requirements for your desired degree.
| Minimum Requirement | Applicable to which program/s |
|---|---|
| At least one year of full-time study at AQF Bachelor level or higher from a recognised institution. The study must have been completed no more than two years prior to the commencement of the program at UNSW. | All programs except where specified below |
| Not applicable | All Bachelor of Education programs Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary) programs Graduate Diploma in Psychology Master of Psychology (Clinical and Forensic) including combined PhD/Master programs |
UNSW Global offers university pathway programs that provide a seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. They will provide you with the academic and English language foundations for success. Contact UNSW Global to find out more.
