At UWA, English is the language of instruction and assessment. You will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.
Below is the list of ways the English Language Competencies (ELC) requirement can be met for admission to UWA.
English language assistance
International applicants who do not meet the English language requirement for direct entry may consider an Academic English and Study Skills Bridging course at the UWA Centre for English Language Teaching (UWA CELT).
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework degrees
The below tests and qualifications can be used to meet the university’s Minimum standard English Language Competence requirements.
Some courses have Higher standard or Accreditation ELC requirements which are listed in their course rules.
Australian tests and qualifications
| TEST/QUALIFICATION | REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| Western Australia | Achieved a final year 12 school grade of C or a scaled mark of 50 in either: |
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| New South Wales (HSC) | English Standard - 50 or above (Band 2 or above) English Advanced - 50 or above (Band 2 or above) English Extension 1 - 25 or above (Band E2 or above) English Extension 2 - 25 or above (Band E2 or above) Pre-2001: Contemporary English (2U) - 50 or above English (General) (2U) - 50 or above English (2U) - 50 or above English (3U) - 25 or above Comparative Literature (2U) - 50 or above E.S.L. - 70 or above (Band 4 or above) |
| Queensland (QCE) | English (Must be Board or QSA subjects) - SA or above |
| South Australia (SACE) / Northern Territory (NTCE) | English Studies (PES) - 10 or above (C- or above) English Communications (PAS) - 10 or above (C- or above) English as a Second Language (PES) - 10 or above (C- or above) |
| Tasmania (TCE) | English / English Communication - SA or above English Literature / English Studies - SA or above Writer's Workshop / English Writing - SA or above World Literature - SA or above ESL Stage 4 - SA or above |
| Victoria (VCE) | English - 25 or above English Language - 25 or above Literature - 25 or above ESL - 25 or above |
| Australian Capital Territory (ACT Yr 12 Certificate) | English - Scaled mark 125 or above ESL - Scaled mark 125 or above Must be 'T' courses taken as a Major, Major/Minor or a Double Major |
| Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) | Minimum score of 70% (valid for two years only) |
| Foundation Programs from Other Group of Eight Universities | A pass in the English paper of a Go8 foundation program |
| Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) | Verbal: Minimum of 140 Written English: Minimum of 140 |
| Complete a Communications unit in your first year of study | To satisfy English Language Requirements you may be able to complete the Communication in Practice [PACM1101] unit in your first year of study at UWA |
| Degree studies in Australia | At least one successful year of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in Australia within the past two years; or At least two successful years of full-time or equivalent degree studies undertaken in Australia completed more than two years ago |
| Australian University Enabling Programs | Successful completion of an Australian University Enabling program |
International tests and qualifications
| QUALIFICATION | REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| Advanced Placement English (USA) | A grade of 3 or higher in AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition |
| All India Examination (CBSE) and Indian School Certificate (CISCE) | English language components with a minimum grade B2 (CBSE) or 60% (CISCE) |
| Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) and the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | Minimum grade of 180 with no band less than 170 Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology requires an overall score of at least 185. Results are valid for two years only. |
| Canadian Pre-University (CPU) | Minimum score 65% in English subject ENG4C; or Minimum score 50% in English subject ENG4U Other Canadian matriculation results are accepted on a case-by-case basis. |
| Danish Studentereksamen | Level B English: a minimum grade of 10 or above Level A English: a minimum grade of 02 or above (since 2007). Pre-2007: a minimum grade of 6 or above |
| Finnish Upper Secondary School Diploma (Lukionpaastotodistus) | Grade 8 or above in English A or English (Advanced) Pass in the Matriculation examination (Ylioppilastutkinto) in English (Advanced) |
| GCE A-level | Minimum grade E in English Language, English Literature or English Language and Literature Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority (independent and school-assessed A-levels are not sufficient). |
| GCE AS-level (General Paper or English Language) | Minimum grade C awarded by CIE |
| GCE A-level (Singapore-Cambridge) | Minimum grade E in Knowledge & Inquiry, Literature in English, or English Language and Linguistics Minimum grade C in General Paper |
| GCE O-level (GCSE) | Minimum grade of C6 or 4 in English, English Language, English (First Language) or English Literature Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority (independent and school-assessed O-levels are not sufficient). |
| GCE O-level (IGCSE) | Minimum grade of A or 7 in IGCSE English as a Second Language in conjunction with Grade 1 (One) in Oral/Aural Communication Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority (independent and school-assessed O-levels are not sufficient). |
| GCE O-level (Singapore-Cambridge) | Minimum grade C6 in English |
| German Abitur | Minimum grade 3 in German Abitur, in conjunction with a minimum grade B in DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Certificate of Language Proficiency test |
| Hong Kong A-level Examination (HKALE) | Minimum grade C in 'Literature in English' |
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) | Core English Language - minimum Level 4; or Literature in English (elective) - minimum Level 3 |
| International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) | English A: Literature or Language and Literature at SL - Minimum grade 4 English A: Literature or Language and Literature at HL - Minimum grade 3 Literature and Performance at SL - Minimum grade 4 English B at HL - Minimum grade 5 |
| New Zealand - Bursary New Zealand - NCEA | English - Minimum score 50 English: 17 credit points with Standard Type Achievement and Standard Results Achieved, Merit or Excellent in English at Level 2 and/or 3. The University will consider a combination of credits achieved in the approved subject of English across both Level 2 and Level 3 to meet the standard English requirement. |
| Netherlands VWO High School Certificate (Voorbereidend Wetenschappellijk Onderwijs) | Minimum grade 8 in the English component |
| Norwegian Vitnemål | Minimum grade 4 in the English component |
| Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) | 1119 English Paper – A grade of C6 or higher on the GSCE grading system, or a grade of C1 or higher on the CEFR grading system. |
| Swedish Slutbetyg | Minimum grade of VG / C in the English paper |
| Overseas secondary studies taught and examined in English | Secondary teaching and examination in English is acceptable if deemed equivalent to Australian matriculation (Year 12) with a pass in the final year English paper, completed within two years of application. |
| Vocational education and training taught and examined in English outside Australia | Successful completion of a diploma at Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, or Temasek Polytechnic undertaken in Singapore fully in English within the last two years. |
| Degree studies taught and examined in English outside Australia | At least one successful year of full-time or equivalent degree studies, undertaken in Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America completed within the past two years; OR |
The below Tests of English meet the University’s Minimum Standard English Language Competence requirement and are valid for two years from the test date. Where a Test of English is accepted for meeting Higher standard requirements the grade/score requirements are listed.
| TEST | REQUIREMENT |
|---|---|
| Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency | Results are valid for two years only.
Minimum standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall grade of 170 with a minimum grade of 175 in the Speaking and Writing sections, and a minimum grade of 165 in the Listening and Reading sections
Higher standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall grade of 180 with a minimum grade of 185 in the Speaking and Writing sections, and a minimum grade of 170 in the Listening and Reading sections
For Courses with Accreditation ELC requirements refer to the course rules in the handbook. |
| Duolingo | Results are valid for two years only.
Minimum standard ELC requirements - an overall score of 125 with a minimum score of 115 in Speaking, 125 in Writing, 115 in Reading and 110 in Listening. |
| IELTS (Academic) IELTS for UKVI (Academic) IELTS One Skill Retake | Results are valid for two years only.
Minimum standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall score of 6.5 with no band less than 6.0
Higher standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall score of 7.0 with no band less than 6.5
For Courses with Accreditation ELC requirements refer to the course rules in the handbook. |
| PTE (Academic) | Results are valid for two years only.
Minimum standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall score of 64 with no band score less than 60
Higher standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall score of 70 with no band score less than 64
For Courses with Accreditation ELC requirements refer to the course rules in the handbook. |
| TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) | Results are valid for two years only.
To allow verification of your scores use our TOEFL Institution Code: 7496 University of Western Australia (UWA).
Minimum standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall score of 82 with a minimum score of 20 in the Speaking and Writing sections, and a minimum score of 17 in the Listening and Reading sections
Higher standard ELC requirements - a minimum overall score of 92 with a minimum score of 23 in the Speaking and Writing sections, and a minimum score of 20 in the Listening and Reading sections
For Courses with Accreditation ELC requirements refer to the course rules in the handbook. |
Academic English and Study Skills Bridging Course by UWA CELT
Please note: UWA CELT is not available to all cohorts of students.
To meet the Minimum standard ELC requirements a final UWA CELT Bridging Course examination grade of 70% or above with no band score less than 60% is required.
For the following courses with the Higher standard ELC requirement a final UWA CELT Bridging Course examination grade of 75% or above and a score of 70% or above in each band is required:
- Bachelor of Modern Languages
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Graduate Certificate of Health Professions Education
- Graduate Diploma of Educational Leadership (articulated)
- Graduate Diploma of Forensic Odontology
- Graduate Diploma in Health Professions Education
- Graduate Diploma in International Law
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- Graduate Diploma in Law, Policy and Government
- Graduate Diploma in Natural Resources Law
- Graduate Diploma in Taxation Law
- Master of Business Administration (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Master of Education (coursework and dissertation or thesis and coursework)
- Master of Educational Leadership (coursework and dissertation or thesis and coursework)
- Master of Health Professions Education (coursework and dissertation or thesis and coursework)
- Master of International Law
- Master of Laws
- Master of Law Policy and Government
- Master of Legal Practice
- Master of Mining and Energy Law
- Master of Resources and International Commercial Law
Courses with accreditation ELC requirements at UWA do not have a pathway from the UWA CELT Bridging Course due to post graduation registration requirements that specify an external test measure such as IELTS or OET.
The UWA CELT Bridging Course is not accepted for meeting ELC requirements for the following courses:
- Bachelor of Education (Primary) (Honours)
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
- Bachelor of Science and Master of Teaching - Secondary
- Bachelor of Arts and Master of Teaching - Secondary
- Bachelor of Human Sciences (Pharmaceutical Health) and Doctor of Pharmacy
- Graduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology
- Graduate Diploma in Clinical Psychology
- Master of Applied Human Performance Science (coursework and dissertation)
- Master of Clinical Audiology (coursework)
- Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (coursework)
- Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- Master of Professional Psychology (coursework)
- Master of Social Work (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Master of Teaching - Primary (coursework)
- Master of Teaching - Secondary (coursework)
- Doctor of Clinical Dentistry
- Doctor of Dental Medicine
- Doctor of Medicine
- Doctor of Optometry
- Doctor of Pharmacy
- Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Audiology
- Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology
- Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Psychology
- Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine
Higher Degrees by Research
Australian and international tests and qualifications
All English test results with an asterisk (*) must have been obtained within the past two years. Higher scores are required for applicants in certain schools, as indicated below.
| Test/Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| WACE, TEE OR equivalent | Pass in English, English Literature, or English as a Second Language |
| GCE O-level (GCSE and IGCSE) |
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| GCE O-level (Singapore-Cambridge) | Minimum grade C6 in English |
| *TOEFL (paper-based) | 570 with a Test of Written English (TWE) of no less than 4.5 Scholarship applicants require 580, with 45 in the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and 4.5 in the Test of Written English (TWE) |
| *IBT TOEFL (Internet-based test score) | 82 with 22 for writing, 20 for speaking, 20 for listening, and 18 for reading ’Home Edition’ not accepted Higher TOEFL scores are required for admission in some schools: |
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| *IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 (no band lower than 6.0) ‘IELTS Online’ test and IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted. Higher IELTS scores are required for admission in some schools: |
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| *Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English | C Pass |
| *Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English | B Grade |
| *UWA CELT Bridging Course | Overall score of 70% with a minimum of 65% for each section |
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| *Pearson Test of English (PTE) (Academic) | Overall score of 64 with a minimum score of 60 in each band.
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Australian Government visa regulations require higher English scores for applicants from some countries.