Undergraduate English language requirements

An approved English language proficiency test

All approved English language proficiency tests must be completed in one sitting, within 24 months of when you plan to start studying with us. Your score needs to be achieved from a single test report. Examiner’s results are not acceptable. The University does not accept online/at home versions of any of the tests listed below. 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 employment ^{1, 2}.

Bachelor of Fine Arts/Bachelor of Music applicants: If you have satisfied all other requirements for the Bachelor of Fine Arts (all specialisations) or the Bachelor of Music but still need to satisfy the English prerequisite, it may be possible for you to satisfy the English requirement by completing an approved English test at the required standard. Research your English language test options below (noting that the Pearson Test of English is the test that is often preferred by applicants with English as their first language).

You must achieve the following scores to meet the English language requirement for all of our undergraduate degrees, except the Bachelor of Oral Health*:

• TOEFL Internet-based test: total score of at least 79 and scores of 21 for writing, 18 for speaking, 13 for reading and 13 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.

Please note that we don't accept the revised TOEFL paper-delivered test.

• IELTS: total score of at least 6.5 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 6.0. To submit your scores when you apply, please inform your testing centre that you want your results to be released to the University of Melbourne. This can be done on the day of your test.
• Pearson Test of English Academic : overall score of at least 64 and no PTE communicative skills score below 60. To submit your scores when you apply, please inform Pearson that you want your results shared with the University of Melbourne.
• Cambridge English, Advanced/Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): Cambridge English Score of at least 176 with no skill below 169.
• C2 Proficiency (previously called Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) examination): Cambridge English Score of at least 180 with no skill below 180.

*You must achieve the following scores to meet the English language requirement for the Bachelor of Oral Health:

• TOEFL Internet-based test: total score of at least 94 and scores of at least 27 for writing, 23 for speaking, 24 for reading and 24 for listening. To submit your scores when you apply, use our TOEFL Institution Code: 0974.
• IELTS: total score of at least 7.0 in the Academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), with no bands less than 7.0. To submit your scores when you apply, please inform your testing centre that you want your results to be released to the University of Melbourne. This can be done on the day of your test.
• Pearson Test of English Academic : overall score of at least 72, written communicative skill of at least 75 and no other PTE communicative skills score below 72. To submit your scores when you apply, please inform Pearson that you want your results shared with the University of Melbourne.

¹ Students 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.

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Tertiary study taught and assessed entirely in English

You’ll meet our English language requirement if you:

• Pass at least the first year of a tertiary course~, taught and assessed entirely in English* within the last two years.
• Pass at least a two-year tertiary course~, taught and assessed entirely in English*, within the last five years.
• Passing a single language-rich tertiary subject may also be approved to meet the English language requirement. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please provide a full syllabus or detailed subject outline, which includes information such as the specific lecture and practical class timetable, weekly topics or themes covered, modes of assessment, contact hours and reading lists (if any) for the relevant subject(s).
  • University of Melbourne subjects which have already been approved for this purpose are available via our Single subject study program (CAP). Subjects must be completed in an assessed mode to meet the English language requirement. Approved subjects include:
    • ENGL10001 Modern and Contemporary Literature
    • ENGL10002 Literature and Performance

~For this purpose, ‘course’ includes a graded VET Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree that is studied for at least one year full-time.

^*This does not apply if the institution you studied at is located is in China, India or Pakistan. If you have completed your tertiary studies in another non-English speaking country, you will need to submit the following documentation 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).

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University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program (UMELBP)

Hawthorn-Melbourne, one of Australia’s oldest and largest English language centres, is endorsed by the University as the sole external provider of the University of Melbourne’s English language bridging programs:

• University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program (UMELBP)
• University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program Preparation (UMELBP Prep)

These programs provide a direct English language pathway for international students to many of our undergraduate courses. Visit the Hawthorn English website, to check whether the course you’re interested in at Melbourne accepts UMELBP Prep or the UMELBP as an entry point and for full details regarding entry requirements.

Please note that these English language bridging programs are not available to domestic students.

Visit Hawthorn-Melbourne

Academic English language program

Hawthorn-Melbourne offers academic English language programs that can help you to satisfy our English language requirement. These programs include:

• IELTS Preparation Program
• English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
• Intensive Academic Preparation (IAP) Program.
• Packaged offers for visa applications.

Learn more about Academic English programs

Packaged offers

Packaged offers reduce the time and cost involved for international students applying for Australian visas. They're available if you have an offer from the University that is conditional only on meeting the English language requirement.

This packaged offer enables you to obtain a single visa, if you do an English language course at Hawthorn-Melbourne followed by a University of Melbourne course.

The packaged offer requires you to complete a 10 or 20-week course at Hawthorn-Melbourne (depending on your IELTS score) before commencing your undergraduate degree.

You're eligible for a packaged offer if you:

• Apply through an authorised University overseas representative
• Have an offer for a place at the University of Melbourne that is conditional only on satisfying the University’s English language requirement
• Have achieved an IELTS score of 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 and enrol in a 20-week English course at Hawthorn-Melbourne, or have achieved an IELTS score of 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 and enrol in a 10-week English course at Hawthorn-Melbourne.

Learn more about packaged offers

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