English language requirements

The methods by which applicants may meet the English language requirements of the University of Tasmania.

Important information

  • Students who meet the University of Tasmania's English entry criteria by means other than an English test may be required to provide such a test to the Department of Home Affairs. Documentary evidence requirements can be checked on the Department's Document Checklist Tool.
  • All methods of meeting University of Tasmania English language requirements have a validity period of 2 years unless involving a country specific qualification as listed below.
  • Each course offered by the University of Tasmania has a minimum English language requirement for entry as listed below. Applicants must also meet the academic entry requirements for each course.
  • Some courses may have higher English language requirements. Please check your course eligibility information.
  • Applicants who qualify from a University of Tasmania program, and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, may need to meet the relevant Professional Accrediting Agency's English language registration standard.
  • In exceptional circumstances or cases not covered by the categories outlined below, multiple forms of evidence may be considered on a case by case basis by the Executive Director, Student Operations in consultation with the Director, Academic Quality and Standards.
  • The University reserves the right to require that any applicant be required to undergo a test of English language.

English language test scores

  • IELTS (Academic)
  • TOEFL (iBT) *
  • PTE Academic
  • Cambridge C2 Proficiency **
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced **
  • Cambridge B2 First **

* TOEFL (iBT) tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted.

** Cambridge English computer-based scores are only accepted where the test date is prior to 12 February 2024.

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted by the University. The following courses do not accept One Skill Retake: Bachelor of Education, Master of Teaching, Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work.

Combined test scores such as TOEFL MyBest® Scores will be considered on a case by case basis. The following courses do not accept combined test scores: Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching.

The minimum English Language Test Score Requirements for foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs are outlined below.

The following table outlines the minimum English Language Test Score Requirements for foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs.

Please note that a number of undergraduate and postgraduate coursework courses require higher English Language standards than the minimum stated.

Approved English Language Tests Minimum English Language Test Score Requirements for Foundation Programs Minimum English Language Test Score Requirements for Undergraduate Courses Minimum English Language Test Score Requirements Postgraduate coursework programs
IELTS (Academic) 5.5 (no individual band less than 5.0) 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5)

6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)

TOEFL (iBT) 46 (no skill below 10)

72 (no skill below: Reading 10; Listening 9; Speaking 16; Writing 19)

72 (no skill below: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; Writing 22)

PTE Academic 43 with no score lower than 36 50 with no score lower than 42 50 with no score lower than 50
UTAS English for Academic Purposes EAP1 60% (no individual score less than 50%) EAP2 - 60% (no individual score less than 55%) EAP2 - 60% (no individual score less than 60%)
Cambridge English C1 Advanced or B2 First 162 with no less than 154 in any skill. 169 with no less than 162 in any skill. 169 with no less than 169 in any skill.
Australian Education Management Group (AEMG) DEP EAP2 N/A Minimum overall score of 70% and no section score of less than 65% Minimum overall score of 70% and no section score of less than 65%

Advanced Diploma in Applied Science (Marine Engineering)
Advanced Diploma in Applied Science (Nautical Science)

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 5.5 (no individual band less than 5.0)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 46 (no skill below 10)
  • PTE Academic 42 with no score lower than 36
  • English for Academic Purposes 1 - 60% (no individual score less than 50%)
  • Cambridge B2 First 162 with no less than 154 in any skill

Applied Science (Professional Honours in Conservation Management)
Applied Science (Professional Honours in Environmental Geospatial Science)
Biomedicine
Laws
Medical Research with Honours
Natural Environments and Conservation and Master of Protected Area Conservation (double degree)

Nutrition Science
Pharmacy with Honours
Psychological Science
Psychological Science with Honours

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 88 (no skill below: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; Writing 22)
  • PTE Academic 58 with no score lower than 50
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 65% (no individual score less than 60%)
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced 176 with no less than 169 in any skill

Ageing Studies and Services
Biomedicine and Master of Laboratory Medicine (double degree)
Dementia Care

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.5)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 88 (no skill below: Reading 21; Listening 21; Speaking 21; Writing 25)
  • PTE Academic 58 with no score lower than 58
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 65% (no individual score less than 65%)
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced 176 with no less than 176 in any skill

Social Work

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0) – no other equivalencies will be accepted. Applicants will be required to meet this requirement prior to commencing a pathway into their Social Work program.

Exercise and Sport Science

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 100 (no skill below: Reading 25; Listening 25; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 70% (no individual score less than 70%)
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced 185 with no less than185 in any skill

Medical  Science and Medicine

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 100 (no skill below: Reading 25; Listening 25; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 70% (no individual score less than 70%)

Nursing

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 94 (no skill below: Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
  • OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)

Education

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.5 (no individual band for listening and speaking less than 8.0, and writing and reading no less than 7.0)
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 75% (no individual score for listening and speaking less than 80%, and writing and reading no less than 70%)

Advanced Practice
Business Administration (Global) 

Dementia
Environmental Geospatial Science
Health Service Management
Healthcare Redesign
Information Technology and Systems 
Legal Practice 
Planning
Pharmaceutical Science
Protected Area Conservation
Public Health

Strategic Communication

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 88 (no skill below: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; Writing 22)
  • PTE Academic 58 with no score lower than 50
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 65% (no individual score less than 60%)
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced 176 with no less than 169 in any skill

Counselling

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.5)

Laboratory Medicine

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.5)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 88 (no skill below: Reading 21; Listening 21; Speaking 21; Writing 25)
  • PTE Academic 58 with no score lower than 58
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 65% (no individual score less than 65%)

Health Protection

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 (no individual band less than 6.5)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 100 (no skill below: Reading 21; Listening 21; Speaking 21; Writing 25)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 58
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced 185 with no less than 176 in any skill

Nursing (Graduate Certificate) H5I

  • IELTS Academic - 7.0 (no band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 94 (no skill below: Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
  • OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)

Occupational Therapy

  • IELTS Academic - 7.0 (no band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 94 (no skill below: Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
  • OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking)

Social Work

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0) – no other equivalencies will be accepted. Applicants will be required to meet this requirement prior to commencing a pathway into their Social Work program.

Clinical Pharmacy

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 100 (no skill below: Reading 25; Listening 25; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 70% (no individual score less than 70%)
  • Cambridge English C1 Advanced 185 with no less than185 in any skill

Physiotherapy
Speech Pathology

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 100 (no skill below: Reading 25; Listening 25; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65

Psychology (Clinical)

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 (no individual band less than 7.0)
  • TOEFL(iBT) 94 (no skill below: Reading 24; Listening 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27)
  • PTE Academic 65 with no score lower than 65

Teaching

  • IELTS (Academic) Score 7.5 (no individual band for listening and speaking less than 8.0, and writing and reading no less than 7.0)
  • English for Academic Purposes 2 - 75% (no individual score for listening and speaking less than 80%, and writing and reading no less than 70%)

* Successful completion requires that you maintained good academic progress in your prior studies and that you have passed more than 50% of your enrolment in any given semester.

Completion of an approved ELICOS program

Whether you need to improve your English to qualify for further study, or you want to enhance your job opportunities, we have a course for you.

University of Tasmania English Language Centre

Minimum Undergraduate English Language Requirements

  • 10 week Academic English, Level 2 - minimum result of 55%

Minimum English Language Requirements

  • 10 weeks EAP 2 – minimum grade B allows entry into undergraduate courses (IELTS 6.0 equivalent)
  • 10 weeks EAP 2 – minimum grade A allows entry into postgraduate courses (IELTS 6.5 equivalent)

Past study and qualifications outside of Australia

Past academic instruction at institutions in Australia, UK, US, Canada, Singapore or NZ (secondary or degree studies)

Applicants who have successfully* completed a minimum of 12 months of full time (or equivalent) studies undertaken at institutions in Australia, UK, US, Singapore, Canada or NZ within the previous 24 months will meet the English language requirements for entry into most University of Tasmania courses.

Past academic instruction in programs taught and regulated by higher education institutions in Australia, UK, US, Singapore, Canada and NZ, and delivered in countries not considered to be English speaking

Where an Australian, UK, US, Singaporean, Canadian or NZ higher education institution has an overseas campus, study at that institution for 12 months will meet English language requirements for entry into University of Tasmania courses.

Secondary or degree studies taught and examined in English outside of Australia

Applicants who have successfully* completed a minimum of 12 months of full time (or equivalent) secondary or degree studies undertaken in approved countries within the last 24 months will meet the English language requirements for entry into most University of Tasmania courses.

Secondary Qualification IELTS 6.0 no band less than 5.5 IELTS 6.0 no band less than 6.0

International Baccalaureate

Minimum grade of 4 in English A Higher level, English A standard level, English B
Higher level or 5 English B standard level

Minimum grade of 4 in English A Higher level, English A standard level, English B
Higher level or 5 English B standard level

GCE Advanced Level (A Levels)

Minimum Grade C or higher excluding Science or Maths

 

GCE Ordinary Level (O Levels)

Minimum C (5/6) or higher

 

Ausmat English or EALD

60% or higher

 

UEC

Score of A2 in English

 

STPM

Minimum B or higher

 

SPM 1119

Minimum B or higher

 

HKDSE

Minimum level of 4 in English  
CBSE/CISCE (India) B+  
Kotogakko Sotsugyu Shosho (Japan) B4  
KCSE (Kenya) English Grade C  
Ghana WASSCEEnglish grade C6 
National Senior Certificate (Awarded by UMALUSI) NQF Level 4 (South Africa)English Rating 4 
Nigeria WASSCEEnglish grade C6 
Mattayom 6 (Thailand) B/3.0  
SAM ESP Satisfactory Achievement in English Studies or ESL at grad C  
ATAR ESL SA (Satisfactory Achievement) minimum of 5 or higher
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Canada (excluding Quebec)
  • Cook Islands
  • Dominica
  • Falkland Islands
  • Fiji
  • Gibraltar
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Jamaica
  • Kiribati
  • Mauritius
  • New Zealand
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Seychelles
  • Singapore
  • Solomon Islands
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales)
  • United States of America
  • Vanuatu

Completion of an approved country-specific qualification

  • Malaysia
    Applicants who have undertaken their studies in English have a 5 year validity.

    Applicants who have undertaken post-secondary studies in Malaysia are to be considered English exempt on the basis of SPM 1119 studies to the level as detailed above.
  • Austria
    2/Gut (good) in English at Reifeprüfungszeugnis OR Matura level completed within 5 years of the applicant’s start date.
  • Denmark
    Studentereksamen with a minimum grade 6 in English A OR a minimum grade 9 in English B completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.
  • Finland
    7 in English or English A in final year of secondary school at Ylioppilastutkinto; OR Lukionpäästötodishis level completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.
  • France
    12/assez bien (good) in English at Baccalaureate level completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.
  • Germany
    Fachhochschulreife with at least 3 in English, OR Abitur with at least 7 in English OR DAAD language test with a minimum of five stars (C1) in all sections, completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.
  • The Netherlands
    6/voldoende (pass) in English in Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO); OR Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs (HAVO) completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.
  • Norway
    Vitnemal with 4/tilfredsstillende or better in English completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.
  • Sweden
    4/VG in English A, English B or English C in Slutbetyg or Avgangsbetyg completed within 5 years of University of Tasmania program commencement.

Completion of bachelor's degree taught in English in Africa

  • Ghana
  • Kenya
  • Nigeria
  • South Africa

Requirement

  • Completed Bachelor’s degree assessed by the University of Tasmania as equivalent to an Australian Bachelor's degree from an institution where English is the medium of instruction, completed within 24 months of commencement of your University of Tasmania course.
  • Students must provide a letter from their institution on official letterhead confirming that their course was taught in English Medium of Instruction (MOI).
  • Meet entry to Postgraduate degrees with the following exceptions:
    • Quota courses
    • Courses* that does not accept prior study in English mode as meeting English requirement
    • Courses with professional registration English regulations


    *Completion of a bachelor's degree will not meet English language requirements for the following courses:

    • Counselling for Education Professionals
    • Counselling for Health Professionals
    • Dementia
    • Healthcare Redesign
    • Public Health

Study Abroad and Exchange

Undergraduate units require one of the following English language results:

  • IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 72 (no skill below: Reading 10; Listening 9; Speaking 16; Writing 19)
  • PTE Academic 50 with no score lower than 42
  • UTASAccess-English - Overall 60% (no individual score less than 55%)
  • Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) - B Grade
  • Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) - C Grade
  • Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) Higher - C Grade

Most of our units within postgraduate programs have the following English language requirements:

  • IELTS (Academic) - 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0)
  • TOEFL (iBT) 72 (no skill below: Reading 16; Listening 16; Speaking 18; Writing 22)
  • PTE Academic 50 with no score lower than 50
  • UTASAccess-English 7 - 60% (no individual score less than 60%)
  • Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English) - B Grade
  • Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) - C Grade
  • Cambridge BEC (Business English Certificate) Higher - C Grade

For students applying from one of the following countries alternative means of assessment might be available: Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Please contact the Learning Abroad Office for further details.

Known Unit Exceptions are published on the Learning abroad website.

English requirements for Study Abroad Students from Partner Institutions in Mexico:

  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) ITP (570 and above)
  • Student must also obtain a letter of support from their home institution attesting to their English competency