English language proficiency requirements

The University of Notre Dame Australia requires all applicants, both domestic and international, to achieve English language proficiency as well as minimum academic requirements for admission. This ensures that applicants are sufficiently competent in the English language to participate effectively in their chosen program and achieve the expected program outcomes.

English language proficiency requirements can be met either by undertaking previous education at an institution where English is the sole language of instruction and assessment or by completing an English language test.

The following are accepted as meeting Notre Dame’s English language proficiency requirements, with the exception of Accredited Teacher programs; Doctor of Medicine programs; accredited Nursing and Midwifery programs; Bachelor of Physiotherapy programs and Pathway programs.

Previous Education

  • Secondary Education

    Successful completion of secondary studies in Australia will be accepted as meeting the University’s English language proficiency requirements for all programs.

    International secondary studies undertaken at an institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment was English may be accepted.

    Please refer to the table for details

    International Secondary Studies

    Accepted score

    GCE O Levels

    A minimum grade of C or better in English Language or Literature in English

    Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority

    GCE A Levels

    A minimum grade of C or better in the General Paper, English Language, English Language & Literature or English Literature

    Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority

    IB Diploma

    English A: grade of 4 or above; Language & Literature: grade of 4 or above. Literature at higher level (HL) or standard level (SL); Literature and Performance (SL);
    English A1 (SL) or (HL);
    English A2 (SL) or (HL);
    English B (HL).

    New Zealand (Bursary)

    50 or above in English

    New Zealand (NCEA)

    A minimum of 8 achieved credits at Level 2 or 3 in English, with at least 4 achieved credits in Reading and 4 achieved credits in Writing

    United Kingdom

    Passing grade in English

    Republic of Ireland

    A minimum of grade of 5 in English at Ordinary Level

    Canada

    Passing grade in English, in addition to studies solely taught in English. Grade of 60% or better in final year English subject.

    Singapore

    Grade of C or better in 'O' level English, English Literature or English Language; General Paper (H1 Level) or Knowledge and Inquiry (H2 Level)

    South Africa

    Level 4 (50%) in English Home Language or Level 5 (60%) in English First Additional Language

    United States of America

    ACT

    Composite Score of 21

    Advanced Placement (AP) examinations

    A grade of 3 or higher in English Language and Composition; or English Literature and Composition

    SAT (test sat from 2016)

    A combined score of at least 1000 out of 1600 in the Evidence based Reading and Writing and Math in the SAT from the same sitting, with a minimum of 400 in Evidence-based Reading and Writing section and 400 in Math section.

    SAT (test sat between 2005-2015)

    A combined score of at least 1500 out of 2400 in the Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing sections in the SAT Reasoning Test from the same sitting, with a minimum of 460 in each section

    International secondary studies where the sole language of instruction and assessment was not in English but where English was undertaken as a subject, may be accepted.

  • Higher Education

    Successful completion of 2 subjects/units undertaken at an Australian University will be accepted as meeting the University’s English language proficiency requirements.

    For international tertiary studies, we will accept studies undertaken at a recognised university where the sole language of instruction and assessment was English and the qualification is deemed to be equivalent to Australian degree studies.
    The number of subjects/units required varies depending on the country in which the studies were undertaken.

    Please refer to the table for details

    Country

    Accepted qualifications

    Minimum length

    New Zealand

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least two subjects/units

    Republic of Ireland

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least two subjects/units

    United Kingdom

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least two subjects/units

    Canada (excluding the province of Quebec)

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least two subjects/units

    United States of America

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least two subjects/units

    Singapore

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least four subjects/units

    South Africa

    Undergraduate or postgraduate coursework level study at a recognised University

    Successful completion of at least four subjects/units

    All other countries

    A degree deemed equivalent to an Australian Bachelor or Masters completed within the last five years at time of application (as determined by Notre Dame). The degree must have been taught in English.

    Successful completion of entire degree

  • Vocational Education and Training (VET)

    Successful completion of a Certificate IV or higher from an Australian registered training organisation will be accepted.

    For VET qualifications undertaken in other countries, please refer to the below table for details of what we will accept

    Country

    Accepted qualifications

    New Zealand

    • National Diploma (awarded before 2003)
    • Diploma NQF Level 5 or above (awarded from   2003)

    Singapore

    The following qualifications awarded by a Polytechnic:

    • Diploma
    • Advanced Diploma
    • Specialist Diploma

    South Africa

    • National Higher Certificate
    • National Diploma
    • National Higher Diploma

    United Kingdom

    • Higher National Certificate
    • Higher National Diploma
    • Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)   Level 4 or 5 Diploma
    • National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level   4 or 5 qualification
    • Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level   4 or 5 qualification

    United States Of America

    • Two year full-time Associate degree awarded by   a regionally-accredited institution

  • Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    A Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with a suitable score in Written English is accepted. The scores in Written English vary depending on the discipline for which entry is being sought.

    Please refer to the table for details.

    Required STAT Scores

Exceptions

  • School of Education

    Programs and Program No.

    IELTS Academic

    PTE Academic

    Average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing – with no score below 7 in any of the four skills areas and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening. Test scores must appear on a single IELTS Test Report Form.

    Overall PTE of 76, with no score less than 66 in reading and writing and 79 in listening and speaking

    Students with English as an additional language seeking entry into Accredited teacher programs must meet the English language requirements specified by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) to meet the requirements for registration as follows:

    English language proficiency is demonstrated by one of the following:

    An Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test Report Form (TRF) that shows a score of at least 7.0 for both Reading and Writing; and a score of at least 8.0 for both Speaking and Listening. The IELTS test scores must appear on a single IELTS TRF and be the result of a test undertaken during the 24 month period prior to submitting an application. Or;

    An applicant has completed at least four full years of study in higher education (university) in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America. This study must have resulted in award of 2 qualification(s) comparable to the educational level of an Australian bachelor's degree or higher and must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification.

  • School of Law exceptions

    Program

    IELTS Academic

    PTE Academic

    TOEFL (iBT)

    OET

    CAE/CPE

    Bachelor of Laws(3510)

    Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry) (3530)

    Including any double degrees

    7.5 overall, with no score lower than 7.5 in writing and no other band score lower than 7.0

    76 overall, with no score lower than 76 in writing and no other band score lower than 68

    105 overall, with no score lower than 28 in writing and no other band score lower than 24

    		 

    191 overall, with no score lower than 191 in writing and no other band score lower than 185

  • School of Medicine

    Doctor of Medicine (WA) (requirements suspended from 31 December 2024)
    Doctor of Medicine (WA) (requirements effective 1 January 2025)
    Doctor of Medicine (NSW)

    English as a primary language

    All primary and secondary education was taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country, Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, Ireland, Canada (except Quebec), and New Zealand, or;

    You have Completed 2+ years or full time equivalent tertiary study in English only at an institution in Australia, the United Kingdom, the USA, Ireland, Canada (except Quebec), and New Zealand, or;

    You achieve the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified below:

    English language tests

    The following tests must be completed within two years prior to applying to the University:

    IELTS Academic

    7.0 overall, with no individual band score lower than 7.0

    OET

    B in all sections

    PTE Academic

    65 overall, with no individual band score lower than 65

    TOEFL (iBT)

    94, with no score lower than 24 in reading and listening, no score lower than 23 in speaking, and no score lower than 27 in writing

  • School of Nursing and Midwifery

    Bachelor of Nursing; Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Midwifery; Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Nursing; Graduate Diploma of Midwifery

    Domestic and international students seeking entry into Nursing and Midwifery programs must meet the English language requirements specified by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC). You may also refer to the Nursing and Midwifery Board for information.

    English language requirements

    Students must provide a signed declaration that English is their primary language, applicants who have completed at least six (6) years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in Australia or in a recognised country*; including at least two (2) years between years 7 and 12.

    *Recognised countries are UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa.

    Or

    Have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests and meet the requirements for test results specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia registration standard for English language skills:

    IELTS Academic

    7.0 overall, with no individual band score lower than 7.0

    OET

    B in all sections

    PTE Academic

    65, with no individual band score lower than 65

    TOEFL (iBT)

    94, with no score lower than 24 in reading and listening, no lower than 23 in speaking, and no lower than 27 in writing

  • School of Health Sciences

    Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours); Bachelor of Physiotherapy; Bachelor of Physiotherapy /Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

    English language requirements

    Students must provide a signed declaration that English is their primary language; Or

    Have achieved the required minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:

    IELTS Academic

    7.0 overall, with no individual band score lower than 7.0

    OET

    B in all sections

    PTE Academic

    65, with no individual band score lower than 65

    TOEFL (iBT)

    94, with no score lower than 24 in reading and listening, no lower than 23 in speaking, and no lower than 27 in writing

English language tests

English language tests (e.g. IELTS) are accepted. The tests that are allowed and the results required vary depending on the discipline and the specific program for which entry is being sought.

All English language tests are valid for two years from the date of completion.

  • English language test scores

    All undergraduate coursework programs, excluding the exceptions indicated below

    IELTS Academic

    6.0 overall, with no individual band score lower than 6.0

    CAE/CPE

    169 overall, with no individual band score lower than 169

    PTE Academic

    50 overall, with no individual band score lower than 50

    TOEFL (iBT)

    73 overall and no other band score lower than 18

    All postgraduate coursework programs, excluding the exceptions indicated below

    IELTS Academic

    6.5 overall and no other individual band score lower than 6.0

    CAE/CPE

    176 overall and no other band score lower than 169

    PTE Academic

    58 overall no other band score lower than 50

    TOEFL (iBT)

    84 overall and no other band score lower than 18

    Master of Philosophy, Masters by Research, Professional Doctorate, Doctor of Philosophy programs

    IELTS Academic

    7.0 overall, with no score lower than 7.0 in writing and no other individual band score lower than 6.5

    CAE/CPE

    185 overall, with no score lower than 185 in writing and no other band score lower than 176

    PTE Academic

    68 overall, with no score lower than 68 in writing and no other band score lower than 58

    TOEFL (iBT)

    94 overall, with no score lower than 27 in writing and no other individual band score lower than 20

  • Supporting links

    For information about English language test programs

Pathway programs

The English language proficiency requirements do not apply to our pathway programs, including Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP) and UniPath.

Please refer to our admission pathways webpage for their entry requirements.

Equivalency

Where an applicant does not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements, other equivalent qualifications or experience may be considered.

For questions, please contact admissions@nd.edu.au. If you are an international student please contact international@nd.edu.au

Note: The University reserves the right to request any applicant to sit an English language test or to undertake an Academic English Bridging program.