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About English language requirements
If you’re from an English-speaking background, you can meet the undergraduate requirement through approved study at secondary or tertiary level. Otherwise, you can qualify by taking an English language proficiency test or by completing a pathway, such as a foundation or bridging program.
English-speaking background or education
If you’ve completed secondary or tertiary education in English or come from an English-speaking background, you may already satisfy the English language requirements without needing to take an English test.
To be eligible for entry based on citizenship or long-term residency in a recognised English-speaking country, you must meet both 'citizenship or residency' and 'education in English' conditions:
-
Citizenship or residency. You must be either:
- A citizen of an English-speaking country recognised by the University OR
- A long-term resident (at least 10 years) of a recognised English-speaking country.
AND
-
Education in English. You must have completed one of the following, with all teaching and assessment conducted entirely in English1:
- The final four years of secondary or higher education (equivalent to Years 9–12) in a recognised English-speaking country OR
- A full secondary education (high school) qualification completed entirely in English in a recognised English-speaking country OR
- At least one year of full-time study (or part-time equivalent) in a recognised bachelor’s degree or other approved higher education qualification in an English-speaking country, with results that meet the minimum academic standard for your chosen program.
Notes:
1 This pathway is not available to applicants for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs). Due to the competitive nature of CSP selection, applicants must meet the English language requirement through an approved secondary school English subject or an accepted English language proficiency test.
You can satisfy our English language requirement by successfully completing one of the secondary school English subjects/courses listed below from our approved list of international qualifications.
The below subjects/courses will be accepted as meeting our undergraduate English language requirement for the following timeframes:
- 24 months for an approved secondary school English subject/course, when studied in a country where English is not an official language OR
- 60 months for an approved secondary school English subject/course, when studied in a country where English is an official language.
| Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Qualification | Details of how the English language requirement can be satisfied |
| Cambridge Pre-U Diploma | Achieve a P2 or higher in Literature in English or satisfactorily complete both Global Perspectives and Independent Research Report | |
| GCE A Levels |
Grade of at least C in one of the following subjects:
Applicants who have completed their GCSE and A Levels in the United Kingdom may also satisfy the University’s English language requirements by achieving a grade of at least B in GCSE English. |
|
| International Baccalaureate Diploma | At least grade 4 in English or English B at SL or HL | |
| Australia | Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) | A study score of at least 25 in English/English Language/Literature or at least 30 in EAL |
| Australia | Secondary qualifications in other states | Equivalent of the VCE requirement |
| Canada | Alberta High School Diploma | Pass the English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 subject (only for students completing the qualification in Canada) |
| Canada | British Columbia Graduation Certificate | Pass English 12 or English Studies 12 (only for students completing the qualification in Canada) |
| Canada | Ontario Secondary School Diploma | Pass ENG4U, ENG3U, ENG3C or ENG4C (only for students completing the qualification in Canada), or at specified schools in Malaysia - please see below for Malaysian details |
| Denmark | Studentereksamen | Grade 7 or higher in English A or Grade 10 or higher in English B |
| Germany | Abitur | Grade 10 or higher in Leistungskurs or Kurse mit erhöhtem Anforderungsniveau English |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education | English with a grade of 4 or higher |
| India | CBSE XII (All India Senior School Certificate Examination) | Pass the English subject in the CBSE |
| India | CISCE Indian School Certificate | Pass the English subject in the ISC |
| Ireland | Leaving Certificate | Grade of at least D2 in higher level English |
| Malaysia | Ontario Secondary School Diploma | Pass ENG4U, ENG3U, ENG3C or ENG4C (only for students completing the qualification at Sunway College, Malaysia) |
| Netherlands | VWO | Grade 8 or higher in final year English |
| New Zealand | National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) | Achieve at least 18 credits in Level 3 English including at least 10 at merit or above |
| Norway | Vitnemål For Videregående Opplæring |
Grade of at least 4 in ENG1002 or ENG1003 |
| Scotland | Scottish Qualifications Certificate | Grade of at least C in Higher Level English |
| Singapore | Singapore A Levels | Grade of at least C in the Higher 2 (H2) Level subject Knowledge and Inquiry |
| South Africa | South African National Senior Certificate | Pass final year English |
| Sweden | Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg | At least VG or grade 4 in final year English or at least a C grade in English 6 |
| United States of America | Advanced Placement exam | A score of at least 3 in AP English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition |
If you have previously completed tertiary study, you will meet our English language requirement if you:
- Pass at least the first year of a tertiary course 2 , taught and assessed entirely in English 3 within the last two years.
- Pass at least a two-year tertiary course 2 , taught and assessed entirely in English 3 , within the last five years.
- Passing a single language-rich tertiary subject may also be approved to meet the English language requirement. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Please provide a full syllabus or detailed subject outline, which includes information such as the specific lecture and practical class timetable, weekly topics or themes covered, modes of assessment, contact hours and reading lists (if any) for the relevant subject(s).
Notes:
2 For this purpose, ‘course’ includes a graded VET Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree that is studied for at least one year full-time.
3 This does not apply if the institution you studied at is located is in China, India, Nepal, Pakistan or Saudi Arabia. If you have completed your tertiary studies in another non-English speaking country, you will need to submit the following documentation with your application:
-
A letter on official letterhead or an email from an official staff member email account, which is from the Academic Registrar or a suitable delegate, and specifies either:
- That all degrees at the institution are entirely taught and assessed in English, OR
- That the specific degree you completed was entirely taught and assessed in English.
The notification must apply to both the awarding institution and the institution you studied at (if different).
Undergraduate course-specific English test scores
If you are from a non-English speaking background, you can demonstrate that you meet the English language requirements by taking an English language proficiency test.
For detailed information about accepted tests, requirements and conditions, and how to submit your results, see English language proficiency tests.
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Biomedicine
Bachelor of Commerce
Bachelor of Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Science
with writing 6.0; speaking 6.0; reading 6.0; listening 6.0
with writing 19; speaking 19; reading 16; listening 16
with writing 60; speaking 60; reading 60; listening 60
with writing 170; speaking 179; reading 163; listening 163
with writing 64; speaking 70; reading 60; listening 57
with writing 57; speaking 48; reading 55; listening 56
with writing 7.0; speaking 7.0; reading 7.0; listening 7.0
with writing 26; speaking 24; reading 22; listening 22
with writing 75; speaking 76; reading 72; listening 72
with writing 193 speaking
194; reading
194; writing 179; listening
175
with writing 78; speaking 82; reading 71; listening 67
with writing 74; speaking 59; reading 63; listening 61
Other ways to meet English language requirements
Not quite at the required English level yet? You can still prepare for undergraduate study through a pathway program – either a foundation program to develop your academic and English skills, or a bridging program to help you reach the required English level.
Through a foundation program, international students can strengthen their English and academic skills to qualify for entry into a Melbourne undergraduate degree.
Accepted foundation programs and minimum scores
If you are completing a fast-track or accelerated version of a foundation program, you must also complete an approved English language proficiency test, unless specified below.
| Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| Country | Qualification | Details of how the English language requirement can be satisfied |
| Australia | Trinity College Foundation Studies | Pass the English and English for Academic Purposes subjects |
| Australia | ANU College Foundation Program | A result of at least 65% in Advanced Academic English |
| Australia | Monash University Foundation Year | Pass English Units 1 and 2 |
| Australia | UNSW Foundation Studies Program | Pass the Academic English subject |
| Australia | University of Adelaide College Foundation Program | Pass both English for Academic Purposes and Critical Thinking |
| Australia | University of Sydney Foundation Program | Pass English A and English B |
| Australia | UWA Foundation Program | Standard program: pass four English units Extended program: pass five English units Accelerated program: pass four English units |
| Australia | Western Australian Universities Foundation Program | Pass English and Australian Cultural Studies |
| New Zealand | University of Otago Foundation Year | Grade B or higher in Academic English |
| United Kingdom | NCUK International Foundation Year | Achieve an overall grade of B and a minimum grade of C in each component in English for Academic Purposes |
As one of Australia’s leading foundation programs, Trinity College Foundation Studies (TCFS) prepares international students for entry to the University of Melbourne. Through engaging coursework and a supportive learning environment, you’ll build the English and academic skills needed to succeed at university.
By studying the Trinity College Foundation Studies program, you'll get:
- a guaranteed place in an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne if you achieve the required scores
- a curriculum that is supervised by the University of Melbourne’s Academic Board
- university-style teaching and learning through lectures and small tutorials
- accelerated and extended programs to suit your needs
- an extensive support and welfare program
- an ideal location on the Parkville campus of the University, and use of the University’s facilities.
If you’re close to meeting the English level needed for your undergraduate course, the endorsed University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program (UMELBP)at Hawthorn-Melbourne can help you get there. You can apply now, receive a conditional offer, and complete the program before you start studying.
Exchange and study abroad English requirements
The English language requirements for undergraduate exchange and study abroad programs may differ from the main course entry requirements. For more information, visit exchange and study abroad entry requirements.