English language requirements
At the University of Sydney, lectures are taught in English. If this is not your first language you must demonstrate proficiency in English through one of the methods below before your admission can be confirmed.
The following are acceptable minimum language qualifications for general study in the Study Abroad and Exchange Program. Scores for tests in Table 1 must be less than 2 years old at the date of course commencement at the University of Sydney.
Table 1. Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements for the Study Abroad and Exchange Programs
| Test Name | Overall Score | Other Scores/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 | Section minimum = 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 | Writing minimum = 21 |
| TOEFL CBT | 233 | Writing minimum = 4.5 |
| TOEFL PBT | 577 | Writing minimum = 4.5 |
| Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) | 58 | |
| Pearsons Test of English (PTE) - Academic Test | 61 |
International Baccalaureate (IB)
If you have completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) provided you have met the following criteria:
- Completion of English A1 or Language A: Literature at Higher or Standard level
- Completion of English A2 or Language A: Language and Literature at Higher or Standard level
- Completion of English B at Higher Level with a Grade of 4 or more;
- Completion of English B at Standard Level with a Grade of 5 or more
One year of full-time university study in English
If you have completed at least one year of full time university study in an English speaking country or in a tertiary institution where the language of instruction (i.e. teaching, assessment and examination) was in English, this will be sufficient for entry requirements eg: 60 ECTS in English if you studied in Europe. You will be required to present proof that the courses were taught in English.
Acceptable School/University Qualifications
You have completed a qualification accepted by the University as proof of your proficiency in English as specified in Table 2 below:
|
Country/Qualification |
Standard |
|---|---|
|
American Samoa |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Australia |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Canada |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Denmark Studentereksamen |
A grade of 8 or better for English A or A grade of 10 or better for English B, level B |
|
Fiji |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Finland Upper Secondary |
A grade of 8 or better in English or English A language |
|
GCE Ordinary Level (Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom) |
B pass or better in the subject English |
|
Germany Abitur |
A grade of 3 or better in Advanced Level English (LF) |
|
Hong Kong A Levels |
B pass in Use of English |
|
Ireland |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Kenya |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Malaysia STPM |
C pass in 920 English or B pass in 914 English |
|
Netherlands VWO |
A grade of 8 or better for level 6 High School English |
|
New Zealand |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Norway Vitnemal |
A grade of 4 or better for upper secondary school English |
|
Papua New Guinea |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Singapore |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Solomon Islands |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
South Africa |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Sweden |
Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg A grade of VG or better in Upper Secondary School English |
|
United Kingdom |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
United States of America |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
|
Zambia |
Completion of accepted senior secondary/tertiary studies in English |
English courses
If you do not hold any of the above qualifications, you may take a course in English for Academic Purposes at the University Centre for English Teaching (CET).
Language and learning assistance is also available for international students during their formal studies from the University of Sydney Learning Centre.
Student visa language requirements
Although these are the University of Sydney requirements, they may not meet student visa regulations. You should check with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to ensure that you also meet the requirements for a student visa for Australia. This is especially important if you are a citizen of a country with visa assessment levels 3 and 4.