Entry requirements

Due to the COVID-19 situation, alternative English language tests were accepted in the interim for admission in 2022 only. This includes results from IELTS Indicator and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. We can not accommodate these test types for entry into 2024 and students should plan accordingly.

*TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test ​being offered was not an approved test. The University of Adelaide can continue to accept, for admission purposes, TOEFL iBT scores from tests pre- and post July 26 2023. 

**From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, within the specified validity period are still accepted.​

Students should remain aware of the English language visa requirements determined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and how this may differ from University entry requirements.

Entry requirements

  1. You must have completed at least one year at your home institution, however, you are able to apply after one semester
  2. You must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 out of 4.0 on the US scale or equivalent
  3. You must meet the English language requirements

  • English language requirements

    Below is a listing of the University of Adelaide's accepted English language proficiency tests for courses requiring the general academic level of English language proficiency (ELP).

    Tests must have been taken within two years prior to program commencement:
    IELTS

    Overall band score of at least 6.5
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 6.0
    TOEFL (internet based)*

    Total score of 79 
    Writing 21 
    Speaking 18 
    Reading and Listening 13
    Pearson Test of English

    Overall score of 58
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 50
    Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))**

    Overall score of 176
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 169

    If you have not achieved these results you have 3 options:

    Please note we cannot accept:

    • test results other than those listed above
    • a letter from the home institution saying that a student’s standard of English is good enough
    • University of Cambridge ESOL test results
    • BULATS (The Business Language Testing Service) results
    • TOEFL ITP test results

  • Higher English language requirements - Education, Law, Animal and Veterinary Science, MBA & Medicine
    Tests must have been taken within two years prior to program commencement:
      IELTS TOEFL
    (Internet based)*    		 Pearson Test of English Cambridge C1 Advanced (formerly know as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))**
    Education

    Overall band score of 7.0
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 7.0

    Total score of 94
    Writing 27 
    Speaking 23 
    Reading and Listening 24

    Overall score of 65
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 65

    Overall score of 185
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 185
    Law

    Overall band score of 7.0
    Writing and Speaking 7.0
    Reading and Listening 6.5

    Total score of 94
    Writing 27 
    Speaking 23 
    Reading and Listening 20

    Overall score of 65
    Writing and Speaking 65 Reading and Listening 58

    Overall score of 185
    Writing and Speaking 185 
    Reading and Listening 176
    Animal and Veterinary Science

    Overall band score of 7.0
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 7.0

    Total score of 94
    Writing 27 
    Speaking 23 
    Reading and Listening 24

    Overall score of 65
    Writing, Speaking 
    Reading and Listening 65

    Overall score of 185
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 185
    MBA

    Overall band score of 7.0
    Writing, Speaking,
    Reading and Listening 6.5

    Total score of 94
    Writing 24 
    Speaking 22 
    Reading and Listening 20

    Overall score of 65
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 58

    Overall score of 185
    Writing, Speaking, 
    Reading and Listening 176
    Medicine Overall band score of 7.0
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 7.0    		 Total score of 94
    Writing 27
    Speaking 23
    Reading and Listening 24    		 Overall score of 65
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 65    		 Overall score of 185
    Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening 185

    If you have not achieved these results you have 4 options:

    Please note we cannot accept:

    • test results other than those listed above
    • a letter from the home institution saying that a student’s standard of English is good enough
    • University of Cambridge ESOL test results
    • BULATS (The Business Language Testing Service) results
    • TOEFL ITP test results

  • Alternative proof of English language proficiency

    The following students are NOT required to provide the results of an IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson or CAE test to be accepted for the Study Abroad or Exchange programs.

    • Students from majority native English speaking countries
    • Non-native English language speakers who are studying their entire degree in English (including all assessments and textbooks) and have completed at least 2 semesters of study. Confirmation documentation from the home university stating the above will be required.
    • Students who have completed their secondary schooling in the countries listed below are required to submit official evidence, in English, of having achieved specific grades in their high school English language exams.
    Austria Matura/Reifeprüfung: 2 or more in English (written and oral)
    Belgium Getuigschrift Van Hoger Secundair Onderwijs/Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire
    Superieur/Abschlusszeugnis der Oberstufe des Sekundarunterrichts: 7.5/75% or more in English.
    Denmark Studentereksamen: English A - Grade 7, English B - Grade 10
    Finland Ylioppilastutkinto/ Studentexamen: 5 or more in English
    France French Baccalauréat: 14 or more in English
    Germany German students will need to present one of the following tests:
    Abitur: 10 points at basic level and 7 points at advanced level in English
    Fachhochschulreife: minimum grade of 2 (on a scale of 1-6 with 1 being the best).
    DAAD test (completed within 12 months prior to program commencement) with 5 stars (the top level) in each category.
    Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: minimum grade of C (where C = 3)
    Netherlands Voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs (vwo): 8 or higher in English
    Norway Vitnemål fra den Videregående Skole: 4 or more in English
    Sweden Fullständigt Slutbetyg från Gymnasieskolan/ Slutbetyg från Komvux/ Avgangsbetyg: VG or better in English, C or better in English
    Switzerland Certificat de Maturité Federale / Maturitätszeugnis/ Attestato Di Maturità: 5 or more in English.

    Please note we cannot accept:

    • test results other than those listed above
    • a letter from the home institution saying that a student’s standard of English is good enough
    • University of Cambridge ESOL test results
    • BULATS (The Business Language Testing Service) results
    • TOEFL ITP test results

  • ELP tests for visa applications

    You may require an English language proficiency test as part of your student visa application.

    **TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test ​being offered was not an approved test. The University of Adelaide can continue to accept, for admission purposes, TOEFL iBT scores from tests pre- and post July 26 2023. 

    **From 12 February 2024, only results from the paper-based Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced CAE) will be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes. Test scores for both C1 Advanced paper-based and computer-based tests, taken before 12 February 2024, within the specified validity period are still accepted.​

    Students should remain aware of the English language visa requirements determined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and how this may differ from University entry requirements.

    Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

  • Study English with us

    If you have not achieved the required level of English to be accepted into the University of Adelaide's Study Abroad or Exchange programs, consider studying English with us through the academic English pathway program.

    Please note that the cost of the academic English program is not covered by the Exchange program or Study Abroad fees.

    For more information on the English language programs, contact:

    English Language Centre
    +61 8313 4777
    elc@adelaide.edu.au

  • Majority native English speaking countries
    1. Antigua and Barbuda
    2. The Bahamas
    3. Barbados
    4. Belize
    5. Canada
    6. Dominica
    7. Grenada
    8. Guyana
    9. Ireland
    10. Jamaica
    11. New Zealand
    12. Singapore
    13. St Kitts and Nevis
    14. St Lucia
    15. St Vincent and the Grenadines
    16. Trinidad and Tobago
    17. United Kingdom
    18. United States of America

    No other country may be considered as being 'majority English speaking' for English language requirement purposes.