Graduate English language requirements
Graduate degrees are taught and assessed in English across the University of Melbourne.
When you apply for a graduate degree, you'll need to meet the University's English language requirements to be eligible for a place. You can do this in a number of ways, depending on your circumstances.
Non English-speaking background
You must meet the University's English language requirements to be eligible for entry.
You can use TOEFL Internet-based test, IELTS (Academic), Pearson Test of English or Cambridge English, Advanced/Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) to meet the University's English language requirements. You can only submit results from one sitting within 24 months preceding the proposed date of commencement of enrolment. To find out English language tests scores required for entry to graduate courses, see the course-specific requirements for your Faculty or School.
Please note: we do not accept the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test or ITP. The University also does not accept any online/at home versions of the tests listed above. English language proficiency tests must be taken at a test centre.
The University will only accept approved English test results conducted in the student's country of citizenship, their last country of education, or their current country of residence or employment1, 2. If you are unable to take TOEFL iBT, IELTS (Academic), Pearson Test of English Academic or Cambridge English, Advanced/Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) to meet the minimum English requirements, there are alternative English programs and tests you can take, see Other ways to satisfy English language requirements for more information.
English speaking background or education
Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree, or a graduate degree of at least 2 years duration
If you've completed an undergraduate degree, or a graduate degree of at least two years duration, where the degree was taught and assessed entirely in English6, you may satisfy the University’s English requirements if you fulfil the following.
If the degree was completed:
- within two years of your commencement to study at the University of Melbourne, no additional evidence of English language proficiency is required
- between two and five years of your commencement to study at the University of Melbourne, evidence of work5 in an English-speaking environment is required
- more than five years of your commencement to study at the University of Melbourne, evidence that sustained work5 in a designated country3, 4, in an English-speaking environment, has been undertaken since completing the degree will be required.
To find out English language tests scores required for entry to graduate courses, see course-specific requirements
If you don't meet these requirements, there are additional English programs and tests you can take. See Other ways to satisfy English language requirements.
Applicants who have completed a graduate degree of at least 1 years duration
For graduate applicants who have satisfactorily completed a graduate degree of at least one years’ duration, where the degree was taught and assessed entirely in English6 and the English language entry standard for the completed degree was at least IELTS (Academic) overall band score 6.5 or equivalent.
If the degree was completed:
- Within two years of your commencement to study at the University of Melbourne, no additional evidence of English language proficiency is required
- Between two and five years of your commencement to study at the University of Melbourne, evidence of work5 in an English-speaking environment is required
- More than five years of your commencement to study at the University of Melbourne, evidence that sustained work5 in a designated country 3, 4, in an English-speaking environment, has been undertaken since completing the degree will be required.
To find out English language tests scores required for entry to graduate courses, see course-specific requirements.
If you don't meet these requirements, there are additional English programs and tests you can take. See Other ways to satisfy English language requirements.
Exchange and Study Abroad students
Please visit the Exchange and Study Abroad application information for details
1Students located for these purposes in China, may attend test centres in Hong Kong SAR and Macao for English language test requirements.
2 For countries where one of our accepted English language tests is not offered in country, the University will consider an accepted English language test taken in any country that shares a border with the country where the student lives, works and/or studies. For countries where some, but not all, of the accepted English language tests are offered, only the test which is not offered in country can be taken in a bordering country.
3 English speaking countries: Antigua + Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada (excluding Quebec), Cook Islands, Dominica, Federal States of Micronesia, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales), United States of America
4 Predominantly English-speaking countries: Botswana, Canada (Quebec), Ethiopia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Israel, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, Nigeria, Palau, Philippines, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
5 Evidence of work: sufficient documentation includes an up-to-date resume
6 This option is not available if the institution is in China, India, Nepal or Pakistan.
If your institution is in another country - to demonstrate this you will need to submit the following notification with your application:
- A letter on official letterhead or an email from an official staff member email account;
- From the Academic Registrar or a suitable delegate;
- Which specifies either:
- That all degrees at the institution are entirely taught and assessed in English; or
- That the specific degree you completed was entirely taught and assessed in English.
The notification must apply to both the awarding institution and the institution you studied at (if different).