English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements for Admission Rule
GENERAL
1. All students admitted to a UNE award or non-award unit must meet the University’s English language requirements for admission irrespective of the study location or study mode.
2. The University sets a standard minimum English Language Requirement, but for specific Courses may set a higher minimum requirement. Any courses with a minimum English Language Requirement higher than the standard minimum requirement shall be detailed in the Annex to this Rule.
3. When an IELTS or TOEFL score is used to demonstrate English proficiency, that score must have been attained within two years of the date of application for admission.
Standard Minimum English Language Requirement
4. At least one of the following criteria must be met:
4.1 English is the applicant's first language; or
4.2 Satisfactory completion, within 5 years of the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least one year of full-time or equivalent full-time study at senior secondary, post-secondary or tertiary level in a country in which English is the primary official language or co-official language and in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular period of study claimed, resulting in an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or an award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
4.3 A pass grade or better in an English language subject at Australian Year 12 level or overseas equivalent; or
4.4 An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.0 with no sub-band score less than 5.5 (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 213 in the Computer-Based Test; or at least 79 in the Internet-Based Test with no less than 22 in the written component); or
4.5 Satisfactory completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at the University of New England English Language Centre, or an equivalent EAP program at an Australian University NEAS-accredited English Language Centre (subject to certification from the university concerned that satisfactory completion of that university's EAP program would entitle the applicant to be accepted into a comparable award-bearing program at that university; or at a non University NEAS-accredited English Language Provider recognised by the Academic Board Teaching and Learning Committee; or
4.6 Satisfactory completion on a prior or concurrent basis of an English communication skills program appropriate for specific programs approved by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or her/his nominee, on the joint advice of the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor-Dean and Director, English Language and International Services.
COURSES REQUIRING ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS HIGHER THAN THE UNIVERSITY MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
Courses in Education (conferring eligibility for Australian Qualified Teacher Status (QTS))
At least one of the following criteria must be met:
A1 English is the applicant's first language; or
A2 An IELTS (Academic) overall score of 7.5 with a minimum score of 8.0 in Speaking and Listening and 7.0 in Reading and Writing.
Courses in Law and Nursing (conferring eligibility for Registered Nurse Status (RNS))
At least one of the following criteria must be met:
B1 English is the applicant's first language;
B2 An IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.5 with no sub-band score less than 6.0 (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 91 in the Internet-Based Test with no less than 22 in the written component and 20 in Listening, Speaking and Reading).
Courses in Pharmacy
At least one of the following criteria must be met:
C1 English is the applicant's first language; or
C2 An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 7.0 with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening and 6.0 in Reading and Writing.
All Higher Degrees by Research
At least one of the following criteria must be met:
D1 English is the applicant's first language; or
D2 Satisfactory completion, within 5 years of the date of application for admission to UNE, of at least one year of full-time or equivalent full-time study in which English was the sole medium of instruction and assessment for the particular course of study claimed, resulting in a tertiary level Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) award or a tertiary level award recognised by the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (NOOSR); or
D3 An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.5 with no sub-band score less than 6.0 (or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 91 in the Internet-Based Test with no less than 22 in the written component and 20 in Listening, Speaking and Reading); or
D4 Prior to admission to candidature, satisfactory completion of the Advanced EAP program at the University of New England English Language Centre; or
D5 In exceptional circumstances, where an applicant cannot satisfy any of Criteria D1-D4 but in the opinion of the relevant Head of School should be admitted as a special case, an application may be forwarded by the Head of School to the English Language Requirements for Admission Tribunal, consisting of the Chair of the Higher Degrees by Research Committee, the Director, English Language and International Services and the Research Director of the Faculty to which admission is sought. The decision of this Tribunal shall be final.