FUTURE STUDENTS

All applicants, whether local or international, for admission to any UNSW program delivered either in Australia or overseas, who do not have an assessable qualification undertaken and assessed in English, must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission.

Applicants will be deemed to have satisfied the English language requirements if they can provide evidence that they meet one or more of the following criteria:

UNSW recognises a number of English Language tests which can be undertaken to meet the University’s English language requirements. These are set out in the following table, together with the minimum results required.

The test must have been undertaken no more than two years prior to the commencement of the program at UNSW.

Normally, only original test certificates are acceptable. The University does not accept certified copies of English language results, other than recent IELTS tests, which will be independently verified.

 

*UNSW's Academic Board have approved a higher English Language requirement for admission to the Diploma of Education.

 

 

Alternatively, applicants whose studies were undertaken more than two years prior to the commencement of the program at UNSW may meet UNSW's English Language Proficiency requirements provided

 

 

Prior study in English cases are considered on a case by case basis and do not automatically meet UNSW's English Language proficiency requirments.

In addition to the English Tests and prior study outlined above, UNSW also accepts a number of assessable academic qualifications as meeting the English language requirements. These qualifications, together with the minimum results required, are listed in the table below.

All qualifications must have been undertaken no more than two years prior to the commencement of study at UNSW.

**Humanities - an Arts or Social Science subject that is conducted in English and requires substantial reading, as well as essay writing, in written examinations. Humanties subjects: Ancient History/Classical studies, Archaeology, Business Studies, Communication Studies, Critical and Contextual Studies, Economics, English (English Language/English Literature), General Studies, Geography, Government and Politics, History, History of Art, Law, Media Studies (Media is not a humanities subject), Philosophy, Religious Studies, Social Policies, Sociology, Drama and Theatre.

Applicants who are not able to demonstrate that they meet one or more of the criteria above may not be required to sit an English Language test if they have lived in Australia, or other predominantly English-speaking country***, for a period of 5 years or more, immediately prior to the commencement of the program at UNSW.

Residency waivers are considered on a case by case basis and do not automatically meet UNSW's English Language proficiency requirments. Applicants will need to provide proof of residency with their application for admission.

***American Samoa, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Gibraltar, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, The Gambia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Applicants who provide an English test result which fails to meet the minimum standard required by the University, or who fail to provide any evidence of English language proficiency, will be assessed for eligibility for admission and if successful will be issued with a Conditional Offer of admission.

A full Offer of admission will be issued only when English language proficiency requirements have been met.

Note: Conditional Offers are not available to Domestic Undergraduate applicants or Domestic Juris Doctor & Diploma of Education applicants.

International applicants who have a minimum Academic IELTS overall score of 5.0 may be considered for a Conditional Package Offer. A package offer may be given for applicants who have the academic qualifications required for admission, but whose IELTS results did not meet the English language requirements.

Note: package offers for applicants holding a TOEFL test may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The package offer is valid for the UNSW Institute of Languages University English Entry Course (UEEC) only and is subject to acceptance by the UNSW Institute of Languages. A package offer enables applicants to apply for a student visa for the duration of both the English language program and the UNSW studies.

Please note that due to quota restrictions package, offers may not be available for all programs each semester or may require a higher minimum IELTS overall score.

Regardless of UNSW’s English Language requirements, international applicants should be aware that they must still satisfy the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) English language requirements for visa applications. Students from Assessment Level 3 or 4 countries [DIAC classification] must present an IELTS test result and achieve a minimum overall score of 6.0 in order to be granted a student visa for university level study. Details of the DIAC requirements and the Assessment level of countries can be found at www.immi.gov.au/students/

Applicants who are not able to demonstrate that they meet one or more of the criteria above, but who, nevertheless, believe that they satisfy the University’s English language requirements, may apply in writing to their respective Admissions Office (see contact details below) for consideration of a waiver. Such applicants must justify the request and provide alternative evidence as appropriate.

The procedure for granting waivers of the English language proficiency requirements will require the Program Authority to justify the waiver in writing, and approval from the Faculty’s Presiding Member. The Director, Student Management, or his/her nominee, will consider each recommendation on the grounds of equity and, if appropriate, ESOS compliance.

In cases where a student is being considered for a waiver, normally he/she must have achieved an overall IELTS score of at least 6.0 or a TOEFL score (paper-based test) of at least 550, with a minimum score of 4.5 in the TWE, a TOEFL score (computer-based test) of at least 213, with a minimum score of 4.5 in the essay component, or a TOEFL score (internet test) of at least 79, with a minimum score of 21 in Writing.

When waiver recommendations include a requirement to undertake English language improvement or support, the Program Authority is responsible for costs associated with this improvement or support, whether this is provided by the Learning Centre, UNSWIL, or the Faculty’s own program.

Note: English Language waivers are not available to Domestic Undergraduate applicants or Domestic Juris Doctor & Diploma of Education applicants.

Undergraduate International and Postgraduate Coursework Programs:

Contact: The Direct Admissions Office
Tel: +61 (2) 9385 3656 (multiple lines)
Fax: +61 (2) 9662 1049
Email:
Applicants whose Family Name begins with A-G
Applicants whose Family Name begins with H-L
Applicants whose Family Name begins with M-S
Applicants whose Family Name begins with T-Z

Undergraduate Local and Non-Award Programs:

Contact: UAC Admissions Office
Tel: +61 (2) 9385 3228 (multiple lines)
Fax: +61 (2) 9662 4241
Email: ugadmis@unsw.edu.au

Postgraduate Research Programs

Contact: Graduate Research School
Tel: +61 (2) 9385 5500/5502
Fax: +61 (2) 9385 6238
Email: Graduate Research School

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication. It is the preferred test of English for students intending to study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and covers the four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS Academic Module is recognised widely as a language requirement for entry to all courses in further and higher education and assesses whether a candidate is ready to study or train in the medium of English at an undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Click here to find an IELTS Centre near you.

You can also get further information by contacting:

IELTS Australia
GPO Box 2006
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Tel: +61 (2) 6285 8222
Fax: +61 (2) 6285 3233
Email: ielts@idp.edu.au
Website: http://www.idp.com

UNSW Institute of Languages is an approved IELTS testing centre.

UNSW Institute of Languages - Test Centre
IELTS Administrator
223 Anzac Parade
KENSINGTON
Tel: 61 2 9385 6729
Fax: 61 2 9385 4947
Email: IELTS.Enquiries@languages.unsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.languages.unsw.edu.au/engForUniversity/IELTS_academic_prep.html

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a test that measures the ability of candidates to understand and use English to the level that is required in a university setting. You can take the Internet-based Test (iBT) or the Paper-based Test (PBT), depending on which format is offered at your test center. You can get further information by visiting the website www.toefl.com

The UNSW Institute of Languages (UNSWIL) offers comprehensive general and academic English language preparation programs. Academic English courses enable a smooth transition to successful university study. These programs cater for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Institute provides the Academic English Course for the UNSW Foundation Year.

University English Entry Course (UEEC)
Tel: +61 (2) 9385 5396
Fax: +61 (2) 9662 2651
Email: admissions@unswglobal.unsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.languages.unsw.edu.au/engForUniversity/UEEC.html