English language proficiency

Meeting the conditions of your offer

International students from non-English speaking backgrounds must meet Adelaide University’s minimum English language requirements to be admitted to a degree.

English language entry requirements are specific to the degree you choose, and some degrees have higher English language requirements. This means the exact level of English language proficiency required will depend upon the degree you are applying to. Adelaide University degree pages list the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score required and a link to all accepted tests.

You can demonstrate your level of English language proficiency by providing the results of an accepted English language test, noting that only tests taken at an official test centre can be accepted.

Tests are generally valid for two years prior to admission. Some degrees require a shorter validity period. Please visit your chosen degree page for more information.

Accepted tests:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academic
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – iBT
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced test (previously Cambridge English: Advanced CAE)
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency test
  • Occupational English Test (OET) (not for all degrees)

Other accepted methods to meet English proficiency:

  • Australian year 12 with a passing grade in a recognised English as a Second Language or English Language subject
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma (including specific language subjects undertaken in English)
  • Foundation program at another Australian university
  • In limited circumstances, previous academic qualifications or practical application of your English skills in a professional environment
Find your degree
 

The table below lists the English language testing systems accepted by Adelaide University, and grades equivalent to IELTS. 

Overall scores

IELTS (Academic)*

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

9.0

TOEFL iBT

60

79

94

107

112

116

120

PTE

60

64

72

74

82

88

90

C1 / C2

169

176

185

191

200

205

209

OET^

C to C+

B

B

-

3 A & 1 B

 -

 -

Subscores

IELTS (Academic)*6.06.57.07.58.08.59.0
TOEFL iBT (Speaking)18202324262830
TOEFL iBT (Reading)13192427293030
TOEFL iBT (Listening)12202427282930
TOEFL iBT (Writing)21242729303030
PTE60647274828890
C1 / C2169176185191200205209

Notes

English language test results are generally valid for two years prior to the date of commencement at Adelaide University.

*IELTS Academic includes IELTS Academic One Skill Retake, IELTS UKVI Academic.

^OET applies for Health Programs only. The scores in each band must be achieved in one sitting.

Adelaide University’s English Language Centre (ELC) provides packaged ELICOS programs for students who do not meet English language requirements. Visit the Pathway providers page to find out more.

Adelaide University does not offer packaged programs with The Centre for English Language at the University of South Australia (CELUSA), but does accept CELUSA results.

Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery, Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), and Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry)

Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Midwifery, Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) and Master of Midwifery (Graduate Entry) applicants are required to meet the University's language requirements, which comply with the English Language Skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

All applicants must demonstrate their English Language competency in one of the following ways:

English language test pathway

Applicants have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests. (Tests are valid for 12 months prior to program commencement.)

Test

Overall score

Subscores

Test results accepted from
• one test sitting, or
• a maximum of two test sittings in a 12-month period only if:

Cambridge
(C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)

Minimum score of 185

Minimum overall score of 185 in each of the three components:

  • listening
  • reading
  • speaking
    and minimum score of 176 in the one component of:
  • writing
  • you are tested in all four components in each sitting
  • you achieve a minimum score of 185 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 176 for writing across the two sittings, and
  • when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below 176.

IELTS (Academic)

Overall score of 7.0

Minimum score of 7 in each of the three components:

  • listening
  • reading, and
  • speaking.
    and minimum score of 6.5 in the one component:
  • writing
  • you achieve a minimum overall score of 7 in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 7 in each component for listening, reading and speaking and a minimum score of 6.5 for writing across the two sittings, and
  • when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below 6.5.

OET
(any profession specific OET test can be accepted)

 

Minimum score of 350 (B) in each of the following components:

  • listening
  • writing
    and minimum score of 360 (B) in the one component:
  • reading
  • speaking
  • you are tested in all four components in each sitting, and
  • you achieve the required minimum scores in each component for listening, reading, writing and speaking, and
  • when using two test sittings no score in any component of the test(s) for either test sitting is below:
    • 320 for listening
    • 340 for reading
    • 350 for writing, and
    • 350 for speaking.

PTE Academic

Minimum overall score of 66

Minimum score of 66 in each of the three communicative skills:

  • listening
  • reading
  • writing
    and minimum score of 76 in one communicative skill:
  • speaking
  • a minimum overall score of 66 is achieved in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 66 in each of the communicative skills of listening, reading and writing and a minimum score of 76 in speaking across the two sittings, and
  • when using two test sittings no score in any of the communicative skills for either test sitting is below 66.

TOEFL iBT

Minimum total score of 94

  • 24 for listening
  • 24 for reading
  • 24 for writing, and
  • 23 for speaking
  • a minimum total score of 94 is achieved in each sitting, and
  • you achieve a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 24 for writing and 23 for speaking across the two sittings, and
  • when using two test sittings no score in any of the test sitting sections is below:
    • 20 for listening
    • 19 for reading
    • 24 for writing, and
    • 20 for speaking.

Please note the equivalencies in the table above differ from other comparison tables and this is specific to the mentioned degrees.

IELTS Academic, includes IELTS Academic One Skill Retake.

Primary language pathway*

Alternatively, you may be eligible for a primary language pathway if:

a) English is your primary language; and

b) You have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary# education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country**.

Notes

*Primary language means the language primarily used for reading, writing, listening, and speaking and the language known best and most comfortable with.

#Secondary Education means Australian school years 7 through 12, even where year 7 is classified as part of primary school in a particular state or territory.

#Six years primary and secondary education means six years of Australian school years 1 through to 12 or the equivalent in a recognised country with two of the years between 7 and 12. Studies to be immediately prior to the intake at discretion of the University.

**Recognised countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guernsey, Guyana, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Malta, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, USA, and US Virgin Islands.

Some other programs have non-standard English language proficiency requirements, please refer to the relevant program degree page for further information.

Current Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Registration

Evidence of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), showing registration with the NMBA to practice as an Enrolled Nurse (EN), Registered Nurse (RN) or Midwife, without any conditions, relative the specified entry requirements for the program they are applying for. 

All research degree students must be proficient in English and meet the minimum English language requirements for their degree. Any applicant who is a citizen and holds a passport from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America is not required to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Recent academic and/or professional experience

  • Prior to date of application, the University will not require English Proficiency Test for any applicant who has satisfactorily completed study at a Bachelor degree level or above from one of the following countries: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada (excluding Quebec), Cook Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Guyana, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Nigeria, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Ireland, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe for at least one of the last two years, or at least two within the last four years of full-time study.
  • Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency in the form of a valid English test that has been taken within two years preceding the application.
  • All programs except language rich disciplines require an overall IELTS band score of 6.5 overall, and a minimum of 6.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
  • Language rich disciplines such as Education, Language and Literature, Communication and Media Studies, and Philosophy and Religious Studies require an overall IELTS band score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
  • Significant academic teaching experience in English, evaluated and approved case-by-case.
  • Other significant professional experiences that demonstrate use of English and/or living in an English-speaking country and using English for an extended period of time – to be evaluated and approved case-by-case.
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