• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Application
• Section 3 - Rules
• GENERAL
• STANDARD MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
• RULE ADMINISTRATION
• QUALITY ASSURANCE
• Section 4 - Definitions

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) This rule establishes the University's English language requirements for admission, irrespective of the study location or study mode, for all students admitted to a UNE award or non-award unit, consistent with the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and the Provider Course Accreditation Standards under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

(2) In this rule, the University sets a standard minimum English language requirement, but for specific courses it may set a higher minimum requirement, informed by the AQF Level and English language proficiency outcomes of that course.

(3) Any courses with a minimum English language requirement higher than the standard minimum requirement shall be detailed in the Annex to this rule. This rule must be read in conjunction with the Annex: Courses Requiring English Language Requirements Higher than the University Minimum Requirement.

Section 2 - Application

(4) This rule applies from the date of its publication. This rule applies to:

1. all students at UNE and all institutions, domestic and international, with which UNE has a partnership arrangement under which UNE accepts responsibility for equity and quality of assessment, and
2. all programs of study offered by the University.

(5) The only exception is for UNE students enrolled in the Joint Medical Program (JMP) with the University of Newcastle and for staff when teaching into the JMP, to whom the JMP Assessment Policy applies.

Section 3 - Rules

GENERAL

(6) When an IELTS (International English Language Testing System), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or PTE (Pearson Test of English) score is used to demonstrate English proficiency, that score must have been attained within two years of the date of application for admission.

STANDARD MINIMUM ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

(7) At least one of the following criteria must be met:

1. English is the applicant's first language; or
2. Satisfactory completion, within five years of the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least one year of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an AQF award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
3. A pass grade or better in an English language subject at Australian Year 12 level or overseas equivalent; or
4. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.0 with no sub-band less than 5.5; or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 213 in the computer-based test; or at least 79 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component; or a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 57 with no skill less than 50; or
5. Satisfactory completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the University of New England English Language Centre, or an equivalent EAP program at an Australian university NEAS- accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the university concerned that satisfactory completion of that university's EAP program would entitle the applicant to be accepted into a comparable award-bearing program at that university); or at a non-university NEAS-accredited English Language Provider recognised by the Academic Board Teaching and Learning Committee; or
6. Satisfactory completion on a prior or concurrent basis of an English communication skills program appropriate for specific programs approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Educational Innovation and International) or his/her nominee, on the joint advice of the relevant Head of School and Director, UNE International, or equivalent.

RULE ADMINISTRATION

(8) Amendment or revision of this rule must be approved by Council.

(9) 9) Actions relating to the implementation of this rule must be recorded and lodged with the University's Records Management Office.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

(10) The Academic Board will monitor the effectiveness of this rule through:

1. benchmarking the University's standards with those adopted elsewhere;
2. information available from the review of records relating to the rule's implementation.

Section 4 - Definitions

(11) IELTS means International English Language Testing System TOEFL means Test of English as a Foreign Language

(12) PTE means Pearson Test of English