English Language Requirements for International Students

English proficiency requirements form part of the entry criteria for University of Sydney postgraduate academic programs.

Note that the Australian Government has separate English language requirements for students applying for student visas from some countries. Please refer to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website for information on Government English proficiency requirements.

At the bottom of this page you can find information about English courses offered at the University of Sydney.

Demonstrating English language proficiency

Applicants who can provide evidence of satisfactory achievement in tertiary studies* in which the language of the institution and of instruction, examination and assessment was English, may not be required to provide further evidence of English proficiency. Satisfactory achievement is determined by each faculty in accordance with the discipline concerned and their English test standards. The tertiary studies must have been undertaken no more than 5 years prior to the date of application for admission to the University of Sydney.

*For courses in the Faculty of Arts, the faculty has defined 'satisfactory achievement' as follows: To meet the requirements of 'satisfactory achievement', applicants must present evidence of one year full-time university study in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. To be 'satisfactory' the applicant must have a credit average if this qualification was not used to gain admission. In countries where English is not the official language, students will be required to provide a statement from the Registrar/Academic Affairs office or equivalent confirming English as the language of the institution and the language of instruction, examination and assessment.

For courses in the Faculty of Economics and Business, the faculty has defined 'satisfactory achievement' as follows: To meet the requirements of 'satisfactory achievement', applicants must present evidence of one year full-time university study in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. To be 'satisfactory' the applicant must have a credit average if this qualification was not used to gain admission. The study must have been undertaken at a recognized institution. Where a university has two official languages, one being English, proof must be received from the Registrar/Academic Affairs Office or equivalent that the applicant's entire course was conducted in English.

For courses at Sydney College of the Arts, the faculty has defined 'satisfactory achievement' as follows: To meet the requirements of 'satisfactory achievement', applicants must present evidence of one year full-time university study in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. To be 'satisfactory' the applicant must have a pass average if this qualification was not used to gain admission. The study must have been undertaken at a recognized institution. Where a university has two official languages, one being English, proof must be received from the Registrar/Academic Affairs Office or equivalent that the applicant's entire course was conducted in English.

English Language Proficiency Requirements for Postgraduate Courses

English language test scores must be less than 2 years old at the date you apply to the University of Sydney. The minimum results required are shown in the table below.

# All postgraduate coursework programs in Translation Studies require an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in Reading and Writing and a minimum of 6.0 in Listening and Speaking.
## All postgraduate coursework programs in US Studies require a minimum of 6.5 in Speaking and Writing and a minimum of 6.0 in Listening and Reading.
### All postgraduate coursework and research programs in Physiotherapy and the Master of Occupational Therapy require a minimum of 7.0 in Speaking and Writing and a minimum of 6.0 in Listening and Reading.
**Medical Radiation Science Programs require an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in Speaking and Writing.
***The Bachelor of Teaching/Master of Teaching package requires require a minimum of 8.0 in Listening and Speaking and
a minimum or 7.0 in Reading and Writing.


The Deans of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and the Sydney College of the Arts may be able to exercise discretion in regards to English Language Requirements in exceptional circumstances.

English courses

If you do not meet the English requirements for your chosen course and you need to improve your standard of English before you commence your degree, English courses are available at the Centre for English Teaching (CET) at the University of Sydney.

Applicants who achieve the required grades in "English for Academic Purposes" at the Centre for English Teaching at the University of Sydney are not required to provide further evidence of English proficiency. The course must have been completed no more than 2 years prior to the date of application.

For more information contact the Centre for English Teaching (CET).