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
IELTS7.0 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)

Important dates

Entry schemes via 91ÌÒÉ«

Educational Access Schemes

Financial assistance

Equity Scholarships

Other scholarships & schemes