View Current

English Language Requirements Higher than the University Minimum Requirement Annex

This is not a current document. To view the current version, click the link in the document's navigation bar.

Section 1 - Overview

(1) This annex provides a statement of the English language requirements for admission to courses that have identified the need for a higher English language entry standard than that established as the minimum University requirement in the English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

(2) This annex must be read in conjunction with the English Language Requirements for Admission Rule.

Top of Page

Section 2 - Scope

(3) This annex applies from the date of its publication.

(4) This annex applies to applicants for the courses identified in this document.

Top of Page

Section 3 - Annex

Courses in Education Accredited by the Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards NSW

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

  1. English is the applicant's first language; or
  2. Where the applicant is applying for an undergraduate course, satisfactory completion, no more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least four years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland, in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
  3. Where the applicant is applying for a graduate entry course, satisfactory completion, no more than five years prior to the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least three years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at tertiary level in English in Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada or the Republic of Ireland, 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 NOOSR; or
    1. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 7.5 including a minimum result of 8.0 in both the speaking and listening modules and 7.0 in reading and writing; or
    2. An International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) score of at least 4+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

(6) Note: the countries quoted for exemption from English language proficiency assessment are those accepted under Australian migration policy as not requiring English language proficiency assessment.

Courses in Law

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

  1. English is the applicant's first language; or
  2. Satisfactory completion, no more than five years prior to 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 NOOSR; or
  3. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 7.0, with a minimum sub-band of 7.0 for writing and no other sub-band less than 6.5.

Courses in Nursing (Conferring Eligibility for Registered Nurse Status)

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

  1. English is the applicant's first language; or
  2. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5 with no sub-band score less than 6.0 (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 91 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component and 20 in listening, speaking and reading);
  3. Satisfactory completion of the Advanced English for Academic Purposes program (EAP Level 4) at the University of New England English Language Centre.

Courses in Pharmacy

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

  1. English is the applicant's first language; or
  2. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 in speaking and listening and 6.0 in reading and writing.

All Higher Degrees by Research

(10) 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 part-time study in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular course of study claimed, resulting in a tertiary level AQF award or a tertiary level award recognised by NOOSR; or
  3. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.5 with no sub-band score less than 6.0 (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 91 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component and 20 in listening, speaking and reading); or a Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic minimum overall score of 64 with no skill less than 58; or
  4. Prior to admission to candidature, satisfactory completion of the Advanced EAP program at the University of New England English Language Centre; or
  5. In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant cannot satisfy any of criteria (10 a-c) but in the opinion of the relevant Head of School should be admitted as a special case, an application may be forwarded by the Head of School to the English Language Requirements for Admission Tribunal, consisting of the Chair of the Higher Degree Research Committee, the Director of UNE International or equivalent, and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) or nominee. The decision of this Tribunal shall be final.
Top of Page

Section 4 - Definitions

(10) AQF means Australian Qualifications Framework

(11) IELTS means International English Language Testing System

(12) NOOSR means the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition

(13) PTE means Pearson Test of English

(14) TOEFL means Test of English as a Foreign Language