University of Sydney
English language proficiency
University of Sydney recognises a number of English language tests as proof of English language proficiency. These are set out in the following tables, together with the minimum results required.
PTE Online, IELTS Online, TOEFL iBT home edition and OET@Home tests are not assessed.
Make sure you also read about qualifications that usually satisfy ELP.
Undergraduate
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 19 in writing, 17 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met OR Nov 2012 session & earlier: English A2 at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level (Prior to May 1999, ‘standard level’ was referred to as ‘subsidiary level’) May 2013 session & onwards: Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | Two or less A level subjects: B pass in English (A2 level) OR A pass in one of the following humanities subjects at full Advanced (A2) or Higher 2 (H2) level: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology, Psychology. Three or more A level subjects: No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. |
|
| GCE AS Level | A in English | |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 67 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 51 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | B pass in English (914) OR B pass in Literature (920) |
|
| HKALE | B pass in Use of English | |
| HKDSE | 5* in English language or Literature in English | |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education University Preparation Course | Satisfactory completion of the course | |
| University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching Course | Completion of a | |
| University of Sydney Foundation program | Completion of the course with English Grade C+ | |
| Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs | Completion of the following: Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE University Preparation Program (UPP) from UNSW Australia Open Foundation and NEWSTEP from University of Newcastle. Contact the Admissions Office for information on other Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs. |
|
| Other | Further information on the |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 112 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, 27 in listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 8.0 overall (min. 8.0 speaking and listening, 7.0 reading and writing) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 79 overall (min. 79 in speaking and listening, 68 in reading and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met OR Nov 2012 session & earlier: English A2 at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level (Prior to May 1999, ‘standard level’ was referred to as ‘subsidiary level’) May 2013 session & onwards: Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | Two or less A level subjects: B pass in English (A2 level) OR A pass in one of the following humanities subjects at full Advanced (A2) or Higher 2 (H2) level: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology, Psychology. Three or more A level subjects: No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. |
|
| GCE AS Level | A in English | |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 80 2015 and onwards: 200 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 60 2015 and onwards: 200 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | B pass in English (914) OR B pass in Literature (920) |
|
| HKALE | B pass in Use of English | |
| HKDSE | 5** in English language or Literature in English | |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education University Preparation Course | Satisfactory completion of the course | |
| University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching Course | Completion of a | |
| University of Sydney Foundation program | Completion of the course with English Grade B- | |
| Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs | Completion of the following: Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE University Preparation Program (UPP) from UNSW Australia Open Foundation and NEWSTEP from University of Newcastle. Contact the Admissions Office for information on other Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs. |
|
| Other | Further information on the |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 22 in writing, 20 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 6.5 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 61 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met OR Nov 2012 session & earlier: English A2 at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level (Prior to May 1999, ‘standard level’ was referred to as ‘subsidiary level’) May 2013 session & onwards: Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | Two or less A level subjects: B pass in English (A2 level) OR A pass in one of the following humanities subjects at full Advanced (A2) or Higher 2 (H2) level: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology, Psychology. Three or more A level subjects: No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. |
|
| GCE AS Level | A in English | |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 67 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 51 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | B pass in English (914) OR B pass in Literature (920) |
|
| HKALE | B pass in Use of English | |
| HKDSE | 5* in English language or Literature in English | |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education University Preparation Course | Satisfactory completion of the course | |
| University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching Course | Completion of a | |
| University of Sydney Foundation program | Completion of the course with English Grade C+ | |
| Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs | Completion of the following: Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE University Preparation Program (UPP) from UNSW Australia Open Foundation and NEWSTEP from University of Newcastle. Contact the Admissions Office for information on other Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs. |
|
| Other | Further information on the |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 105 (min. 25 writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.5 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 76 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met OR Nov 2012 session & earlier: English A2 at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level (Prior to May 1999, ‘standard level’ was referred to as ‘subsidiary level’) May 2013 session & onwards: Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | Two or less A level subjects: B pass in English (A2 level) OR A pass in one of the following humanities subjects at full Advanced (A2) or Higher 2 (H2) level: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology, Psychology. Three or more A level subjects: No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. |
|
| GCE AS Level | A in English | |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 74 2015 and onwards: 191 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 56 2015 and onwards: 191 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | B pass in English (914) OR B pass in Literature (920) |
|
| HKALE | B pass in Use of English | |
| HKDSE | 5** in English language or Literature in English | |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education University Preparation Course | Satisfactory completion of the course | |
| University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching Course | Completion of a | |
| University of Sydney Foundation program | Completion of the course with English Grade B- | |
| Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs | Completion of the following: Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE University Preparation Program (UPP) from UNSW Australia Open Foundation and NEWSTEP from University of Newcastle. Contact the Admissions Office for information on other Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs. |
|
| Other | Further information on the |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 25 writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met OR Nov 2012 session & earlier: English A2 at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level (Prior to May 1999, ‘standard level’ was referred to as ‘subsidiary level’) May 2013 session & onwards: Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | Two or less A level subjects: B pass in English (A2 level) OR A pass in one of the following humanities subjects at full Advanced (A2) or Higher 2 (H2) level: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology, Psychology. Three or more A level subjects: no minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met. |
|
| GCE AS Level | A in English | |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 67 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 51 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | B pass in English (914) OR B pass in Literature (920) |
|
| HKALE | B pass in Use of English | |
| HKDSE | 5* in English language or Literature in English | |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education University Preparation Course | Satisfactory completion of the course | |
| University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching Course | Completion of a | |
| University of Sydney Foundation program | Completion of the course with English Grade C+ | |
| Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs | Completion of the following: Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE University Preparation Program (UPP) from UNSW Australia Open Foundation and NEWSTEP from University of Newcastle. Contact the Admissions Office for information on other Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs. |
|
| Other | Further information on the |
You must also satisfy the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s English language proficiency requirements.
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test: not accepted for nursing Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing, 23 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | IELTS Indicator online test: not accepted for nursing 7.0 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) |
Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 85 (min. 19 writing, 17 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 61 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met OR Nov 2012 session & earlier: English A2 at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level (Prior to May 1999, ‘standard level’ was referred to as ‘subsidiary level’) May 2013 session & onwards: Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level OR Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| GCE 'A' Levels (from UK or Singapore) | Two or less A level subjects: B pass in English (A2 level) OR A pass in one of the following humanities subjects at full Advanced (A2) or Higher 2 (H2) level: History, Humanities, Philosophy – Critical Thinking, Politics, Law, Religion, Sociology, Psychology. Three or more A level subjects: No minimum grade required. English medium is assumed and ELP is met |
|
| GCE AS Level | A in English | |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 58 2015 and onwards: 176 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 45 2015 and onwards: 176 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| STPM | B pass in English (914) OR B pass in Literature (920) |
|
| HKALE | B pass in Use of English | |
| HKDSE | 5 in English language or Literature in English | |
| Australian TAFE and private provider studies | Completed AQF Diploma or Advanced Diploma | |
| University of Sydney Centre for Continuing Education University Preparation Course | Satisfactory completion of the course | |
| University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching Course | Completion of a | |
| University of Sydney Foundation program | Completion of the course with English Grade C | |
| Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs | Completion of the following: Tertiary Preparation Certificate (TPC) from TAFE University Preparation Program (UPP) from UNSW Australia Open Foundation and NEWSTEP from University of Newcastle. Contact the Admissions Office for information on other Australian tertiary preparation/foundation programs |
|
| Other | Further information on the |
International Year 12s
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 19 in writing, 17 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met (find an ) OR Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level or Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 67 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 51 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 112 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, 27 in listening and speaking)
|
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 8.0 overall (min. 8.0 in speaking and listening, 7.0 in reading and writing) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 79 overall (min. 79 in speaking and listening, 68 in reading and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met (find an ) OR Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level or Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 80 2015 and onwards: 200 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 60 2015 and onwards: 200 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 22 in writing, 20 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 6.5 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 61 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met (find an ) OR Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level or Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 67 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 51 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 105 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.5 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 76 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met (find an ) OR Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level or Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 74 2015 and onwards: 191 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 56 2015 and onwards: 191 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.0 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met (find an ) OR Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level or Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 67 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 51 2015 and onwards: 185 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
You must also satisfy the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council’s English language proficiency requirements.
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test: not accepted for nursing Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 96 (min. 24 in listening and reading, 27 in writing, 23 in speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | IELTS Indicator online test: not accepted for nursing 7.0 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) |
Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 68 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 85 (min. 19 in writing, 17 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 6.5 overall (min. 6.0 in each subtest) | Only Academic version results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 61 overall (min. 54 in listening, reading, speaking and writing) | Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| International Baccalaureate | If English is the main language of instruction then ELP is met (find an ) OR Grade 4 in English A: Language & Literature or English A: Literature at higher or standard level OR Grade 4 in English B at higher level or Grade 5 in English B at standard level |
Diploma must be awarded |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre-2015: 58 2015 and onwards: 176 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre-2015: 45 2015 and onwards: 176 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
Postgraduate
| Test/Qualification | Minimum result required | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | Paper-based score: not accepted Internet-based score: 105 (min. 25 in writing, 23 in reading, listening and speaking) |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| IELTS | 7.5 overall (min. 7.0 in each subtest) | Only academic results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| PTE Academic | 76 overall (min. 68 in listening, reading, speaking and writing skills |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) | Pre 2015: 74 overall 2015 onwards: 191 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
| C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE) | Pre 2015: 56 2015 onwards: 191 |
Only results obtained within 2 years of the course start date |
General information for The University of Sydney
Courses available
Location
Student Centre, level 3, Jane Foss Russell Building
(enter from City Road), The University of Sydney,
NSW 2006
Website
Phone
1800 SYD UNI (1800 793 864 - freecall)