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 NSW Education Standards Authority

(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
  4. 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
  5. 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.

Other Courses in Education

Master of Education (Coursework) - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) specialisation

(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 three years of full-time or equivalent full-time study at 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. An official statement must be provided from the institution that the studies were in English; or
  3. An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 7.0 with no sub-bands less than 6.5; (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 91 in the internet-based test with a minimum score of 22 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and a minimum of 25 in Writing); or equivalent Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic minimum overall score of 62 with no skill less than 62; or
  4. An International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR) score of at least 3+ in each of the four areas: speaking, listening, reading and writing; or
  5. Satisfactory completion of the Advanced English for Academic Purposes program (EAP Level 5) at the University of New England English Language Centre.

Specific Courses in the UNE Business School

(8) The Graduate Certificate in Public Accounting and the Master of Commerce (Public Accounting) are only available to Associate Members of the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) who are seeking full membership in Australia. The following criteria apply to these two courses:

  1. Standard minimum English language requirements outlined in Rule 2 of the English Language Requirements for Admission Rule; or
  2. The following criteria must all be met:
    1. Satisfactory completion 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 NOOSR; and
    2. The applicant will have at least three years (full-time equivalent) in the last five years in accounting-related work experience in a country in which English is the primary official language (or co-official language) and where the day-to-day activities of the practice require proficient use of conversational English and proficient written and verbal English usage as the primary form of professional communication; and
    3. Where an applicant is seeking admission under these criteria, they must attach a statutory declaration, signed by a Justice of the Peace, to verify their proficiency in written and spoken English.

LLB (3 and 4 Year) and Postgraduate Courses in Law

(9) 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, or TOEFL IBT score of 91 with no less than 26 in writing and no less than 23 in listening, speaking and reading.
  4. Satisfactory completion of the Advanced English for Academic Purposes program (EAP Level 5) at the University of New England English Language Centre.

Courses in Nursing (Conferring Eligibility for Registered Nurse Status)

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

  1. English is the applicant's first language; or
    1. an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5 with no sub-band score less than 6.0; or
    2. equivalent TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) score of at least 91 with a minimum score of 22 in the written component, and a minimum score of 20 in listening, speaking and reading; or
    3. a minimum OET score of C+ in each of the four components: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing; or
    4. a minimum overall PTE Academic Score of 58 in each of the four communicative skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking; or
  2. satisfactory completion of the Advanced English for Academic Purposes (EAP Level 4, EPA4) at the University of New England English Language Centre; or
    1. an equivalent EAP at an Australian University NEAS-accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the Centre concerned that the applicant has completed EAP to the standard equivalent to IELTS 6.5); or
    2. an equivalent EAP4 level certification at a non-University NEAS-accredited English Language Provider that has a formal agreement with UNE under which it provides an equivalent EAP4 program.

Courses in Pharmacy

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

  1. English is the applicant's first language; or
    1. an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and a minimum score of 6.0 in Reading and Writing; or
    2. a TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) score of at least 94 with a minimum score of 24 in Speaking and Listening, and a minimum score of 23 in Reading and Writing; or
    3. a minimum OET score of B in each of the four components: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing; or
    4. a minimum overall PTE Academic Score of 65 and a minimum of 65 in each of the four communicative skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking; or
  2. satisfactory completion of the Advanced English for Academic Purposes (EAP Level 5, EPA5) at the University of New England English Language Centre; or 
    1. an equivalent EAP at an Australian University NEAS-accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the Centre concerned, that the applicant has completed EAP to the standard equivalent to IELTS 7.0); or
    2. an equivalent EAP5 level certification at a non-University NEAS-accredited English Language Provider that has a formal agreement with UNE under which it provides an equivalent EAP5 program

All Higher Degrees by Research and Master of Scientific Studies

(12) 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 a Higher Degree Research applicant cannot satisfy any of criteria (12) a-d 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 UNE International or equivalent, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research or nominee. The decision of this Tribunal shall be final.
Top of Page

Section 4 - Definitions

(13) Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) – is the national guideline that establishes standards for Australian qualifications. Qualifications are given a level based on the depth of learning.

(14) EPA – means English Proficiency Assessment. There are various levels and EPA4 means Level 4, EPA5 means level 5, etc.

(15) IELTS means International English Language Testing System

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

(17) OTE means Occupational Test of English

(18) PTE means Pearson Test of English

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