English language requirements

Some degrees have additional English language requirements:

• Bachelor of Nursing or Master of Nursing (Pre-registration) - See Nursing English language requirements. 
• Master of Teaching - See Master of Teaching English language requirements.

To meet UOW’s English language requirements through testing:

• All tests must be taken within two years of your course start date.
• Tests must be completed at an official test centre. UOW does not accept online, or at-home versions of any test listed below.
• Official test scores must be submitted to UOW before a valid offer can be issued. 

Accepted tests 

• IELTS (Academic and academic for UKVI)
• IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) – submitted with the original Academic or Academic for UKVI IELTS test*
• TOEFL iBT
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 
• OET – accepted for selected health-related courses. 

*IELTS OSR is assessed alongside the original test. The two-year validity applies to the original test date. 

Note: TOEFL iBT tests taken between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 are not valid for Australian visa purposes. See Department of Home Affairs English language visa requirements. 

Not accepted:

• IELTS Indicator / IELTS Online
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• PTE Academic Online

Minimum score requirements

Minimum required scores for each course are listed on the Course Finder page. To view them: 

1. Select your preferred course. 
2. Choose the International option under the Student Type toggle. 
3. Click on the Admissions Information tab. 
4. Refer to the English Language Requirements section. 

If you are using PTE Academic, Cambridge English, or OET instead of IELTS or TOEFL, please refer to the equivalency tables provided below to check the required scores. 

TOEFL internet based 

Please note: TOEFL iBT taken between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 are not valid for Australian visa purposes. See Department of Home Affairs English language visa requirements.

C1 Advanced Cambridge or C2 Proficiency Cambridge

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

OET - Occupational English Test

OET is accepted for courses related to Nursing, Exercise Science and Nutrition & Dietetics.

If you do not meet the English requirements for your course, you may complete an English language course at UOW College Australia.

Visit the UOW College website for more information on English language programs.

UOW also recognises a limited number of English language courses offered by TAFE NSW and other university colleges. See the Recognition of English Language Studies page for details. 

Important:

• The course must be completed within two years of your UOW course start date.
• English language courses cannot be accepted for admission to the Master of Teaching, Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing (Pre-registration), or Doctor of Medicine due to external registration/accreditation requirements.

UOW accepts prior study undertaken in English, either in Australia or overseas. However, some courses have additional requirements due to external registration or accreditation standards.

Coursework Applicants

Study in an approved English-speaking country*

You will meet UOW’s English language requirements if, within three years of starting your UOW course, you have successfully completed:

• A recognised senior secondary qualification, or
• A recognised university foundation or tertiary preparation program, with required grades in relevant English subjects, or
• At least one year full-time tertiary study, at AQF Diploma level or higher.

Alternatively, you may meet the requirements if: 

• You are a citizen or permanent resident of an approved English-speaking country*, and
• You have lived in an approved English-speaking country* for at least ten years, and
• You have successfully completed a recognised:
  • Senior secondary qualification, or
  • Tertiary preparation program, or
  • University foundation program, or
  • Post-secondary qualification at AQF Certificate IV level or higher.

Other prior studies in English

If your studies were undertaken in a country not listed as an approved English-speaking country*, but were taught, assessed, and examined entirely in English, you may meet the requirements if:

• Within two years of starting your UOW course, you have successfully completed at least two years of full-time tertiary study, at AQF diploma level or higher.

You must provide an official letter from the Academic Registrar (or suitable delegate) confirming that:

• all courses at the institution are taught, assessed and examined entirely in English; or
• the specific course you completed was taught, assessed and examined entirely in English.

This confirmation must apply to both the awarding institution and the teaching institution (if different).

Exceptions 

Due to external accreditation requirements, prior study in English cannot be accepted for admission to:

• Master of Teaching - See Master of Teaching English language requirements. 
• Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Nursing (Pre-registration) – See Nursing English language requirements.

Higher Degree Research (HDR) applicants 

Study in an approved English-speaking country*

You will meet UOW's English language requirements if: 

• You have successfully completed a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree of at least two years full-time duration, within the last three years.

OR

• You are a citizen or permanent resident of an approved English-speaking country*, and
• You have lived in an approved English-speaking country* for at least ten years, and
• You have successfully completed a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Other prior studies in English

If your degree was completed in a country not listed as an approved English-speaking country*, but was entirely taught, assessed and examined in English, you may meet the requirements if:

• Within two years of starting your UOW course, you have successfully completed a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate degree of at least two years duration.

You must provide an official letter from the Academic Registrar (or suitable delegate) confirming that:

• all courses at the institution are taught, assessed and examined entirely in English, or
• the specific course you completed was taught, assessed and examined entirely in English.

This confirmation must apply to both the awarding institution and the teaching institution (if different).

Note: Prior study in English is considered on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically meet UOW's English language requirements.

*Approved English-speaking countries 

American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

If you have completed a recognised senior secondary qualification in a country not listed as an approved English-speaking country*, you may still meet UOW's English language requirements for undergraduate admission provided you have achieved at a specified level in an approved senior secondary English subject.

• The qualification must have been completed within two years of your intended course start date at UOW.
• For qualifications completed in Denmark, the timeframe is extended to within five years of course commencement.

*Approved English-speaking countries

American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

If your previous study or English language test results meet UOW’s requirements but fall outside the specified time limits, you may still be eligible by providing alternative evidence of English proficiency.

You may meet the requirements if you have:

• Lived continuously for at least five years immediately prior to starting your course at UOW in an approved English-speaking country*, or
• Worked professionally for at least two years in an approved English-speaking country*, or in a workplace where English was the sole language of business, within two years of starting your course at UOW, or
• Hold current registration with a professional accreditation body that requires English proficiency at a level equal to or higher than UOW’s standard.

What to provide:

• for residency: A copy of your passport and visa showing your time spent in the English-speaking country.
• for professional registration: Evidence of current registration and the English language requirements of the accrediting body.
• for work experience: A letter from your employer on official company letterhead confirming:
  • The language of business was English
  • Your job title and duties
  • Dates of employment and duration
  • Average hours worked per week

*Approved English-speaking countries

American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

In some cases, where English language test results are borderline or alternative evidence of English is provided, your application may be referred to the relevant Faculty for further assessment.

Faculty assessment is conducted on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically satisfy UOW’s English language requirements.

To be considered, you must meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Tertiary study taught and assessed entirely in English, but for a shorter duration than the standard requirement.
• English language test results or English course completion up to six months beyond the standard two-year validity period.
• IELTS results within 0.5 band of the required score (or equivalent for other accepted tests), within the two-year validity period.
• At least two years of continuous residency in an approved English-speaking country*.
• Evidence of work experience requiring English language proficiency.
• Current registration with a professional accreditation body that requires English proficiency at a level equal to or higher than UOW’s standard.
• An interview, supported by independent verification of your English skills (where practical).

Required Documentation

You must provide supporting documents, which may include:

• A letter from your employer on official company letterhead confirming:
  • The language of business was English
  • Your job title and duties
  • Dates of employment and duration
  • Average hours worked per week
• Evidence that English was the primary language of instruction for previous study.
• A copy of your passport and visa.
• Evidence of current professional registration and the English language requirements of the accrediting body.

*Approved English-speaking countries

American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Before you can begin studying to become a teacher in New South Wales, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires you to demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency.

You must provide one of the following:

1. Prior study in an approved country

You have successfully completed:

• An undergraduate degree (equivalent to at least a three-year Australian bachelor’s degree), or
• a master’s degree

within three years of starting a UOW course from a recognised university in one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom, or United States of America.

The degree must have been taught and assessed entirely in English, and meet the requirements set by NESA for teaching in primary or secondary schools.

2. English language test

You have achieved the required result in one of the following approved English language tests, taken within two years of your UOW course commencement date:

When applying for teacher registration in NSW, you must also meet the NESA accreditation requirements.

Before you can start studying to become a registered nurse, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) requires you to demonstrate a high level of English language proficiency.

If you are applying for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing or Master of Nursing (Pre-registration), you must meet both UOW’s academic English requirements and complete an English Language Declaration form as part of your application. This applies to both domestic and international applicants.

You must meet one of the following criteria:

1. English as your primary language

You may meet the requirement if:

• English is your primary language (the language you primarily use for reading, writing, listening and speaking), and
• Before your course start date, you have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English, including at least two years of secondary education (Years 7-12).

This education must have been undertaken in one of the following 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, United States of America, US Virgin Islands. 

2. English language test

You may also meet the requirements by achieving the minimum scores in one of the following approved tests, taken within two years of your UOW course start date.

3. AHPRA registration

You may also meet the requirement if, before the course start date, you provide evidence of current registration as an Enrolled Nurse, Registered Nurse, or Midwife with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Nursing and Midwifery.

When applying for registration as a nurse or a midwife in Australia, you must also meet the English language skills registration standard of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA)

For full details of requirements, please visit the Bachelor of Nursing and the Master of Nursing (pre-registration) Course Finder pages.

As an international student you may have to meet the English language requirements based on your citizenship for visa purposes, as advised by the Department of Home Affairs. Please refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for more details.