Policy: English language admission requirements
and post-admission support
PurposeTo establish the English language requirements for admission to the University and outline
post-admission English language support for students.

Overview
This document contains the admission requirements based on English language tests,
prior education, university preparation programs including English programs, and priorwork experience. It indicates requirements for English equivalency cases and study
abroad/exchange applications. It outlines post-entry language assessment and theprovision of English language support.

Scope
This policy applies across the University and to applicants for entry to ANU.

Definitions
AQF. Australian Qualifications Framework
Australian Qualifications Framework. This ‘is the national policy for regulated
qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications fromeach education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications
framework.’ www.aqf.edu.au
Course. See Policy: Glossary
Senior secondary education. Education at Australian Years 11 and 12, or equivalent.
This is typically two years of full-time education leading to the award of a Senior
Secondary Certificate of Education (see AQF descriptor, ‘Senior Secondary Certificate of
Education’).
Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Tertiary education. Education at AQF Levels 5–10.

Policy Statement
1.
This policy ensures that admitted students have the proficiency in English needed toparticipate in their intended program and that, combined with post-admission testing andlanguage development, English language proficiency would not be expected to impede
their progression and completion.
2.
Applicants, whether domestic or international, for admission to any ANU program orcourse delivered either in Australia or overseas must provide evidence that their English
language ability meets the minimum requirements for admission. Exemptions for programs
and courses taught only outside Australia and taught and assessed in a language otherthan English are approved by Academic Board.
3.
Applicants are deemed to have satisfied the University's English language
requirements for admission to an:a. Undergraduate program, orb. Postgraduate coursework program, orc. Higher Degree by Research program,if they can provide evidence that they meet the criteria specified below under one of thefollowing:a. English language tests, orb. prior senior secondary education, orc. prior tertiary education at AQF Levels 5-10, or
d. University preparation studies including English programs.
Table 1: Paragraphs relating to admission criteria
Level Undergraduate

Postgraduate
coursework

Higher Degree by
Research

13–14; Table 2

23–24; Table 6

33–34; Table 8

15–17; Tables 3,
4

25–26

Not accepted

18–20

27–29

35–36

Requirement
English language
tests
Prior seniorsecondaryeducation
Prior tertiary
education at AQF

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Levels 5-10
University
preparation studies:
English language
programs,
Foundation
programs, Other
programs

21; Table 530–31; Table 7

37; Table 9

4.
The most recent evidence is used as proof of English language proficiency, unlessotherwise specified.
5.
The University reserves the right to change an unconditional offer of admission to
conditional on meeting English language requirements, if subsequent evidence is provided
which demonstrates that the applicant's English language proficiency is insufficient.
6.
The University reserves the right to request that an applicant undergoes an English
test in addition to any other evidence of English language proficiency provided.
7.

There are no waivers in relation to the application of this policy.

Additional information
8.
This policy is read in conjunction with relevant legislation and academic eligibility
requirements of the ANU, and applies to all programs.
9.
University rules relating to English language requirements are located atCoursework Awards Rules and Research Awards Rules.
10.

These requirements apply only to entry to the University.
a. International applicants must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs English
language requirements for visa applications in addition to the University’s
admission requirements.
b. Students applying for accreditation or registration with professional bodies may
have additional requirements. Students are responsible for confirming they meetthe registration or accreditation standards.

Policy: English language requirements for admission policyPost-entry language assessment
11.
Students admitted to the University will, from 1 January 2026, undertake a postentry language assessment (PELA) to:a. identify a potential risk indicator for academic progress and provide earlyintervention,b. guide students to appropriate English language support provided by ANU (including
through third-party providers), with monitoring of engagement with this support toindicate where additional intervention may be beneficial, andc. enable internal calibration and quality assurance for the ANU English language
admission requirements.
The PELA has no impact on the admission decision. It is expected that the PELA isundertaken as part of the orientation preceding a student’s first classes.

Admission to Undergraduate Programs
12.

Undergraduate programs are:

Diploma (AQF Level 5)Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree (AQF Level 6)Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7)Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF Level 8)

The University’s English language requirements for admission are met by one of thefollowing:
English Language Tests
13.
Achieving or exceeding the minimum scores in one of the English language tests
listed in Table 2 if the test is taken within:a. two years from the date of application; orb. four years from the date of application where a student has subsequently
completed the equivalent of one year full-time education in English within thelast two years.
14.
Results from multiple tests cannot be combined to meet requirements unlessspecified in Table 2.
Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Table 2: English Language Tests and minimum scores for admission into Undergraduate
Programs

Test

Minimum scores

IELTS

All of the following:

Academic

Overall score: 6.5[including One

Reading: 6.0

Skill Retake]Writing: 6.0

and IELTS

Listening: 6.0

UKVI

Speaking: 6.0

Academic[including One
Skill Retake]
IELTS resultsmust becompleted at
an IELTS
testing centre;
online test
results are notaccepted.
TOEFL iBT

All of the following:[excluding

Overall score: 80

Home Edition]

Reading: 20
Writing: 20
Listening: 18
Speaking: 18
The TOEFL institutional code for the ANU is 0506. Applicants
may use this code to report their TOEFL results to the university.

Cambridge C1

All of the following:

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Advanced

Overall score: 176
Reading: 169
Writing: 169
Listening: 169
Speaking: 169
Use of English: 169

PTE Academic

All of the following:

and PTE

Overall score: 64

Academic

Communicative Skills:

UKVI

Reading: 55[excluding PTE

Writing: 55

Academic

Listening: 55

Online]Speaking: 55

Prior education: senior secondary education
15.
Citizens of countries listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, who have undertaken atleast one year of full-time (or equivalent) year 11 and/or year 12 (or equivalent) seniorsecondary education in English at a recognised institution in the national education system(or equivalent) of a Group A Country.
Table 3: Group A Countries
American Samoa

Australia

Botswana

Canada (excluding

Fiji

Ghana

GuyanaIreland

Jamaica

Kenya

LesothoLiberia

New ZealandNigeria

Papua New Guinea

Samoa

Singapore

Solomon Islands

South Africa

Tonga

Trinidad and Tobago

United Kingdom

United States of America

ZambiaQuebec)Zimbabwe

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

16.
Non-citizens of countries listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, who have undertaken
senior secondary education in English at a recognised institution in the national education
system (or equivalent) of a country listed in Table 3: Group A Countries where that
education meets all of the following requirements:
a. successful completion of two years of full-time (or equivalent) year 11 and year
12 (or equivalent) senior secondary education within the last four years;
b. successful completion is defined as a pass result in no less than 50% of
attempted load in any assessable period (for example, term or semester) in theacademic year;
c. it is taught and assessed entirely in English except for courses that are focusedon the development of knowledge and skills in a language other than English;
such courses must not be more than 25% of the total successfully completed
study load; andd. education undertaken must result in a sequence of education or qualification
which is accepted for entry into ANU undergraduate programs.
17.
Achieving or exceeding, no more than two years prior to the date of application, theminimum requirement levels of qualifications specified in Table 4:
Table 4: Qualifications and minimum requirements for Secondary Qualifications used foradmission to undergraduate programs
Qualification

Minimum requirement

Australian Year 12 from a

Successful completion of at least one year of full-time (orGroup A Country listed inequivalent) of Year 11 and/or Year 12 study.

Table 3Australian Year 12 from a

ACT Senior Secondary Certificate –country not listed in Table



3



a score of 170 in English as a Second Language(ESL) T major, ora pass in any other English T Major course.

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) –a raw unscaled score of 30 in English as an Additional
Language (EAL), ora raw unscaled score of 25 or more in units 3 and 4 ofany other VCE English subject.

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Other States/TerritoryFrench Baccalaureate

successful completion of Year 12.

Must be undertaken at Narrabundah College, Canberra;
other locations are not accepted
A pass result in any English T Major or T Minor course.

GCE A-Level

A grade of C or better in:Singapore A-Levela subject from the Humanities and Social Sciences
subject group, ora subject from the English Language and Literature
subject group, orGeneral Studies.

A grade of C or better in:

a subject from the Humanities syllabus, ora subject from the English Language and Literaturesyllabus, orGeneral Paper.

Sri Lanka GCE A-Level

Not accepted.

HKDSE

A score of 4 in English Language (core subject).

Cambridge Certificate of

A grade of C.

Proficiency in English(CPE)
International Baccalaureate

IB Diploma taught and assessed entirely in English

Diploma (IB)except for courses focused on the development ofknowledge and skills in a language other than English.
Ora pass result in English Language A: Literature either at
Standard Level or Higher Level orOr

Policy: English language requirements for admission policyA pass result in English Language A: Language andLiterature either at Standard Level or Higher Level.
All India Senior School

A grade of C2 in English Core.

Certificate (AISSCE)
Indian School Certificate

A numerical grade of 1-7 in English as indicated on the(ISC – Year 12)

Pass Certificate.

Tamil Nadu Higher School

A score of 120 (out of 200) in English.

Certificate
Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan

A grade of C in English Literature (code 920).

Malaysia (STPM/Form 6)
Malaysian Independent

A grade of A2 in English Language.

Chinese Secondary
Schools Unified
Examinations (MICSS)/UEC
Norwegian Certificate of

A numerical grade of 4 in English at both Level 1 andCompletion of Upper

Level 2 in Upper Secondary Examinations.

Secondary School
Examinations (Vitnemål)Swedish Upper Secondary

A grade of C in English in Upper Secondary School

School Leaving Certificate

Certificate.

(Slutbetyg franGymnasieskolan)
Danish Upper Secondary

A numerical grade of 9 at level B Senior High School

School Leaving

English.

Examinations(Studentereksamen)
Finnish Matriculation

A numerical grade of 8 in English or English A in the

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Certificate

final year of secondary school.

(Ylioppilastutkintotodistus
Studenteksamensbetyg)
Dutch Diploma of Pre-A numerical grade of 8 in final year English.

University Education(Diploma Voorbereidend
Wetenschappelijk
Onderwij)
German Abitur

A numerical grade of 3/‘befriedigend’ (satisfactory) in
English.

Austrian Maturity

A numerical grade of 3/’befriedigend’ (satisfactory) in

Certificate

English.

Prior education: tertiary education
18.
Citizens of countries listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, who have undertaken
tertiary education in English at a recognised institution in the national education system (orequivalent).
19.
Non-citizens of countries listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, who have undertaken
tertiary education in English at a recognised institution in the national education system (orequivalent) of a country listed in Table 3: Group A Countries where that education meets
all of the following requirements:
a. a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) education within the last four
years;
b. a pass result in no less than 50% of attempted load in any assessable period(for example, term or semester) in the academic year;
c. taught and assessed entirely in English except for courses that are focused on
the development of knowledge and skills in a language other than English; suchcourses must not be more than 25% of the total successfully completed study
load; andd. results in a sequence of education or qualification which is accepted for entry
into ANU undergraduate programs.

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

20.
Successful completion, no more than two years prior to the date of application, of an
ANU Diploma program commenced at ANU College prior to 31 December 2020.
University pathway programs including English programs
21.
Achieving or exceeding, no more than two years prior to the date of application, theminimum scores in one of the English language programs in Table 5a, University
Foundation programs listed in Table 5b, or Other Pathway Programs listed in Table 5c:
Table 5a: English language programs recognised for admission to ANU undergraduate
programs:
English language program

Minimum score forundergraduate admission

AEMG Direct Entry Program (DEP) English for

Where admission into the

Academic Purposes (EAP 2 or EAP 3)

program is through a formal
university-to-university
articulation agreement: 70%with no section less than 65%.
Other programs or pathways:
not accepted.

ANU Access Program taught by ANU College and60%

completed prior to 31 January 2022
University of Canberra College

Pass

Academic English 4

Table 5b: University Foundation programs recognised for admission to ANU
undergraduate programs:

Foundation Program

Minimum score forundergraduate admission

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

ANU College Foundation Studies completed prior to

65% in the best 3 out of 4

31 December 2022

English courses taken in thelast two terms of education(English Core Skills A-E and/or
Applied English A-D)

Other Foundation Programs if taught in a Group A

65% or more in Academic

country:

English taught in a Group A
country

Institution

Name of Program

Bond College
Curtin University ofTechnology

Foundation Program
Western Australian
Universities Foundation
Program (WAUFP)
Edith Cowan University
Western Australian
Universities Foundation
Program (WAUFP)
Macquarie University
Standard Foundation or
Intensive Foundation
Monash University
Monash University
Foundation Year (MUFY)
University of Adelaide
Foundation Studies
Program
University of Melbourne
Trinity College
Foundation Studies
Program
University of New South University Foundation
Wales
Studies Certificate
University of Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway
Program
University of Queensland The Foundation Year
University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Foundation Program
University of Western
Western Australian
Australia
Universities Foundation
Program (WAUFP)

Table 5c: Other Pathway Programs
Other Pathway Program

Minimum score forundergraduate admission

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

[None][N/A]

Admission to Postgraduate Coursework Programs
22.

Postgraduate Coursework Programs are:

Graduate Certificate (AQF Level 8)Graduate Diploma (AQF Level 8)Master Degree (AQF Level 9)Juris Doctor (JD) (AQF Level 9)Medicinae ac Chirurgiae Doctoranda (MChD)/Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (AQF

Level 9)The University’s English language requirements for admission are met by one of thefollowing:
English Language Tests
23.
Achieving or exceeding the minimum scores in one of the English language tests
listed in Table 6 if the test is taken within:a. two years from the date of application; orb. four years from the date of application where a student has subsequently
completed the equivalent of one year full-time education in English within thelast two years.
24.
Results from multiple tests cannot be combined to meet requirements unlessspecified in Table 6.
Table 6: Minimum requirements for accepted English Language Tests for admission into
Postgraduate Coursework Programs

Test

Minimum scores for

Minimum scores for specified

unspecified programs programs
Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Medicinae ac

Master of ClinicalChirurgiae

Psychology

Doctoranda

IELTS

All of the following:(MChD)/Doctor of

Master ofMedicine andProfessional

Surgery

Psychology

All of the following:

All of the following:

Overall score:

Overall score:

Academic

Overall score: 6.5[excluding One

Reading: 6.0

Skill Retake andWriting: 6.0

Reading: 6.0

Reading: 7.0

IELTS Online]

Speaking: 6.0

Writing: 6.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening: 6.0

Speaking: 6.0

Speaking: 7.0

Listening: 6.0

Listening: 7.0

All IELTS results

7.0

7.0

must becompleted at an

Note:

IELTS testing

The requirement ofcentre, online test

a minimum of 7.0

results are notin each component

accepted.

can be met across
two test sittings ina six month period,on condition that:
The overall scoreis 7.0 on bothtests; andThere are noscores less than
6.5 in either test.

IELTS
Academic One
Skill Retake

All of the following:
Overall score: 6.5
Reading: 6.0
Writing: 6.0
Speaking: 6.0

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Not accepted

Not acceptedListening: 6.0

All IELTS resultsmust becompleted at an
IELTS testing
centre, online test
results are notaccepted.
IELTS UKVIAll of the following:

Academic

Overall score: 6.5[including One

Reading: 6.0

Skill Retake]Writing: 6.0

Not accepted

Not accepted

All of the following:

Not accepted.

Speaking: 6.0
All IELTS results

Listening: 6.0

must becompleted at an
IELTS testing
centre, online test
results are notaccepted.
TOEFL iBT Paper
EditionAll of the following:
Overall score: 80
Reading: 20

Overall score:100

Writing: 20

Reading: 22

Listening: 18

Writing: 22

Speaking: 18

Listening: 22
Speaking: 22

The TOEFL institutional
code for the ANU is

The TOEFL

0506. Applicants may

institutional codeuse this code to reportfor the ANU istheir TOEFL results to0506. Applicants

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

the university.

may use this code
to report their
TOEFL results tothe university.

TOEFL iBT

All of the following:

All of the following:

All of the following:

Overall score:

Overall score:[excluding Paper

Overall score: 80

Edition and Home

Reading: 20

Edition]Writing: 20

Reading: 22

Reading: 24

Listening: 18

Writing: 22

Writing: 27

Speaking: 18

Listening: 22

Listening: 24

Speaking: 22

Speaking: 23

100

100

The TOEFL institutional
code for the ANU is

The TOEFL

The TOEFL

0506. Applicants may

institutional code

institutional codeuse this code to reportfor the ANU is

for the ANU istheir TOEFL results to0506. Applicants0506. Applicants

the university.

may use this code

may use this code

to report their

to report their

TOEFL results to

TOEFL results tothe university.

the university.
Note:
The requirement of
the minimum ineach component
can be met across
two test sittings ina six month period,on condition that:a. The overall
score is 100 on
both tests; andThere are no

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

scores less than
24 in Writing, and
20 in Speaking
and Listening, and
19 in Reading ineither test.
Cambridge C1Advanced

All of the following:

All of the following:

Overall score: 176
Reading: 169

Not accepted.

Overall score:
185

Writing: 169

Reading: 169

Listening: 169

Writing: 169

Speaking: 169

Listening: 169

Use of English: 169

Speaking: 169
Use of English:
169

PTE Academic

All of the following:[excluding PTE

Overall score: 64

Academic Online]

Communicative

All of the following:

All of the following:

Overall score:

Overall score:70

Skills:70
Communicative

Reading: 55

Skills:Communicative
Skills:Writing: 55

Reading: 60

Reading: 65

Listening: 55

Writing: 60

Writing: 65

Speaking: 55

Listening: 60

Listening: 65

Speaking:

Speaking:

60

65
Note:
The requirement of
the minimum of 65
in each component
can be met across
two test sittings in

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

a six month period,on condition that:b. The overall
score is 75 on
both tests; andThere are noscores less than
58 in either test.
PTE Academic

All of the following:

UKVI [excluding

Overall score: 64

PTE Academic

Communicative

Online]Not Accepted

Not Accepted

Skills:Reading: 55
Writing: 55
Listening: 55
Speaking: 55

Prior senior secondary education
25.
Citizens of countries listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, who have undertaken atleast one year of full-time (or equivalent) year 11 and/or year 12 (or equivalent) seniorsecondary education in English at a recognised institution in the national education system(or equivalent) of a Group A country.
26.

Australian Citizens who meet all of the following requirements:
a. undertook secondary education in Australia at a regional or remote School forwhich neither the Government nor a Tertiary Admissions Centre holds records
for the relevant cohort of students (as distinct from the relevant student);b. have five years full-time (equivalent) work experience in Australia at ANZSCOSkill Level 1; andPolicy: English language requirements for admission policy

c. provide the name of the School and the years during which the education wasundertaken.
Prior tertiary education
27.
Completion of a minimum 3 year Bachelor degree or a minimum 2 year Master
degree or a minimum 2 year Doctoral degree taught and assessed entirely in English
except for courses that are focused on the development of knowledge and skills in alanguage other than English; such courses must not be more than 25% of the total
successfully completed study load.
Where the degree was not undertaken in a country listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, astatement or certificate of confirmation issued by the Registrar’s office (or equivalent) of
the institution at which tertiary education was undertaken must be provided, which must:a. be an original version in English printed on official headed paper and duly
signed,b. specify the student’s full name,c. specify the name of the qualification in which the student was enrolled, andd. include a statement of the extent to which the education was taught
andassessed entirely in English.
28.
Tertiary education in English in a country listed in Table 3: Group A Countries at arecognised institution in the national education system (or equivalent) of that country. If theapplicant is not a citizen of a Group A Country, the education must meet all of following
additional requirements:
a. a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) education within the last four
years;
b. a pass result in no less than 50% of attempted load in any assessable period(for example, term or semester) in the academic year; andc. taught and assessed entirely in English except for courses that are focused on
the development of knowledge and skills in a language other than English; suchcourses must not be more than 25% of the total successfully completed study
load.
29.
Tertiary education in English in a country not listed in Table 3: Group A Countries
that meets all of the following requirements:

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

a. a minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) education within the last four
years;
b. a pass result in no less than 50% of attempted load in any assessable period(for example, term or semester) in the academic year;
c. taught and assessed entirely in English except for courses that are focused on
the development of knowledge and skills in a language other than English; suchcourses must not be more than 25% of the total successfully completed study
load; andd. a statement or certificate of confirmation issued by the Registrar’s office (orequivalent) of the institution at which tertiary education was undertaken which
must:
i. be an original version in English printed on official headed paper and duly
signed,ii. specify the student’s full name,iii. specify the name of the qualification in which the student was enrolled, andiv. include a statement of the extent to which the education was taught andassessed entirely in English.Applicants may not submit a modified statement
or certificate after receiving an assessment outcome related to the originalstatement provided.
University pathway programs including English programs
30.
Pathway progams including English programs are not available for admission into
the following programs:o Medicinae ac Chirurgiae Doctoranda (MChD)/Doctor of Medicine andSurgeryo Master of Clinical Psychology
o Master of Professional Psychology
31.
For all other postgraduate coursework programs, achieving or exceeding, no morethan two years prior to the date of application, the minimum scores in one of the University
pathway programs including English programs listed in Table 7:
Table 7: University pathway programs including English programs recognised foradmission to non-excluded ANU postgraduate coursework programs:
English Program

Minimum score for postgraduate
coursework admission to non-excluded

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

programs (see clause 30 for excluded
programs)

AEMG Direct Entry Program (DEP)

Where admission into the program isEnglish for Academic Purposes (EAP 2

through a formal university-to-university

or EAP3)

articulation agreement: 70% with nosection less than 65%.
Other programs or pathways: notaccepted.

ANU Access Program taught by ANU
College and completed prior to 31 January
2022

60%

University of Canberra College
Academic English 4

Pass

Admission to Higher Degree by Research Programs
32.

Higher Degree by Research Programs are:o Master of Philosophy (AQF Level 9)o Doctor of Philosophy (AQF Level 10)

The University’s English language requirements for admission are met by one of thefollowing:
English Language Tests
33.
Achieving or exceeding the minimum scores in one of the English language tests
listed in Table 8 if the test is taken within:

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

a. two years from the date of application; orb. four years from the date of application where a student has subsequently
completed the equivalent of one year full-time education in English within thelast two years.
34.
Results from multiple tests cannot be combined to meet requirements unlessspecified in Table 8.
Table 8: Minimum requirements for accepted English Language Tests for admission into
Higher Degree by Research Programs

Test

Minimum scores for all Higher Degree

Minimum

scoresby Research Programs excluding thefor the Doctor of

Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical

Philosophy

Psychology)(Clinical
Psychology)

IELTS

All of the following:

All of the following:

Academic

Overall score: 6.5

Overall score: 7.0[excluding One Skill

Reading: 6.0

Reading: 7.0

Retake]Writing: 6.0

Writing: 7.0

Listening: 6.0

Speaking: 7.0

Speaking: 6.0

Listening: 7.0

All IELTS resultsmust be completed
at an IELTS testingNote:centre, online test

The requirement of a

results are notminimum of 7.0 in

accepted.

each component canbe met across two
test sittings in a six
month period, on
condition that:a. The overall
score is 7.0
on both tests;

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

b. andc. There are noscores lessthan 6.5 ineither test.
IELTS

All of the following:

Academic One Skill

Overall score: 6.5

RetakeReading: 6.0

Not accepted.

Writing: 6.0
All IELTS results

Listening: 6.0

must be completed at

Speaking: 6.0

an IELTS testing
centre, online test
results are notaccepted.

IELTS UKVIAll of the following:

Academic

Overall score: 6.5[including One Skill

Reading: 6.0

Retake]Writing: 6.0

Not accepted.

Listening: 6.0
All IELTS results

Speaking: 6.0

must be completed
at an IELTS testing
centre, online test
results are notaccepted.
TOEFL iBT Paper
EditionAll of the following:
Overall score: 80
Reading: 20
Writing: 20
Listening: 18
Speaking: 18
The TOEFL institutional code for the

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Not accepted.

ANU is 0506. Applicants may use thiscode to report their TOEFL results to theuniversity.
TOEFL iBT

All of the following:

All of the following:[excluding Paper

Overall score: 80

Overall score:

Edition and Home

Reading: 20

Edition]Writing: 20

Reading: 24

Listening: 18

Writing: 27

Speaking: 18

Listening: 24

100

Speaking: 23
The TOEFL institutional code for the
ANU is 0506. Applicants may use this

The TOEFL

code to report their TOEFL results to theinstitutional code foruniversity.

the ANU is 0506.
Applicants may use
this code to reporttheir TOEFL results
to the university.
Note:
The requirement of
the minimum in eachcomponent can be
met across two test
sittings in a six
month period, on
condition that:a. The overall
score is 100
on both tests;
andb. There are noscores lessthan 24 inWriting, and20 inPolicy: English language requirements for admission policy

c. Speaking and
Listening, and
19 in Readingin either test.
Cambridge C1Advanced

All of the following:

Not accepted.

Overall score: 176
Reading: 169
Writing: 169
Listening: 169
Speaking: 169
Use of English: 169

PTE Academic

All of the following:

All of the following:[excluding PTE

Overall score: 64

Overall score: 70

Academic Online]

Communicative Skills:

Communicative

Reading: 55

Skills:Writing: 55

Reading: 65

Listening: 55

Writing: 65

Speaking: 55

Listening: 65
Speaking: 65
Note:
The requirement of
the minimum of 65 ineach component canbe met across two
test sittings in a six
month period, on
condition that:a. The overall
score is 75 on
both tests;
andb. There are noscores lessthan 58 ineither test.

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

PTE Academic

All of the following:

Not Accepted

UKVI [excluding

Overall score: 64

PTE Academic

Communicative Skills:

Online]Reading: 55
Writing: 55
Listening: 55
Speaking: 55

Prior tertiary education
35.
Completion of a minimum 3 year Bachelor degree or a minimum 2 year Master
degree taught and assessed in entirely in English except for courses that are focused on
the development of knowledge and skills in a language other than English; such courses
must not be more than 25% of the total successfully completed study load.
36.
Citizens of countries listed in Table 3: Group A Countries, who have undertaken
tertiary education taught and assessed in English at a recognised institution in the national
education system (or equivalent) meet the University’s English language requirements foradmission.
English programs
37.
Achieving or exceeding, no more than two years prior to the date of application, theminimum scores in one of the English programs listed in Table 9:
Table 9: English programs recognised for admission to ANU Higher Degree by Research
programs:

English Program

Minimum score for all Higher Degree by
Research Programs excluding theDoctor of Philosophy (ClinicalPsychology)

ANU Access Program taught by ANU

60%

College and completed prior to 31 January

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

2022
University of Canberra College

Pass

Academic English 4

Study Abroad and Exchange Applicants
38.
Study abroad or exchange students can, in addition to the standard admission
requirements for their program, fulfil the University's English language admission
requirements through the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
System (CEFR) by achieving a certificate of English language proficiency from their homeinstitution with an overall grade of C1 (‘Effective Operational Proficiency’) with no less thanC1 in each of reading, writing, speaking and listening. CEFR certification is only acceptedfrom institutions within a country or territory that is a member of the Council of Europe.

Case for English Language Equivalency (CELE)
CELE Principles
39.
The ANU is strongly committed to admissions transparency, and despite
Coursework Awards Rule 2020 para. 15(5) makes no waivers of its English Language
Admission standards. All applicants must meet the English Language requirements of the
University as outlined in the Policy: English Language Admission Requirements and PostAdmission Support or, in rare cases, by the relevant ANU College establishing a Case forEnglish Language Equivalency on behalf of the applicant.
40.
Applicants cannot commence or establish a Case for English Language
Equivalency on their own.
41.

Cases for equivalency are only available as follows:a. for coursework applicants, equivalency cases may only be made for Australiandomestic applicants;
b. for HDR applicants, equivalency cases will normally only be considered for
applicants basing their academic admission requirements on work experience in aGroup A country; Group A countries are specified in the Policy: English Language
Admission Requirements and Post-Admission Support.

CELE Process
42.

A Case for English Language Equivalency may be made via a memo:

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

a. for coursework students, by the Associate Dean (Education) of the relevant College
to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic
Quality); or
b. for Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, by the Associate Dean withresponsibility for HDR matters of the relevant College to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor(Research and Innovation) and the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate Research).
43.
If the Associate Dean has a conflict of interest, the memo should be from theCollege Dean or, if also conflicted, the relevant Associate Dean of another College.
44.
Each memo must relate to only one applicant; multiple requests cannot be
combined into a single memo.
45.

In the memo, the Associate Dean must confirm:
a. whether the applicant meets the program’s academic admission requirements, orwhether a forced offer request will also be made (in which case the forced offer
request should be submitted in the same email as the Case for English Language
Equivalency); andb. that the request does not involve a conflict of interest.

46.
The memo must provide at least two of the following types of evidence of English
Language Equivalency, and attach documentary evidence to support the case:a. test results which meet requirements except that they are up to six months older
than the two year expiry date; and/or
b. evidence of at least two years’ work experience in a Group A country requiring
English language proficiency; and/or
c. both:an interview in English with the student conducted by a member ofstaff other than the coursework thesis supervisor or HDR supervisor;andand a sample of sole-authored written work in English attested to by
an independent source that has not been edited by a third party.

47.
The College Dean or delegate who can commit funding is to confirm that if remedial
English courses are required that they will be arranged by the area at no cost to thestudent, and that the College will cover relevant costs associated with English language
tuition.
48.
The memo with its attachments is to be emailed as a single file to, for all
coursework programs, the Associate Registrar (Admissions) in DSAAS at

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

Admissions.Manager@anu.edu.au or, for all HDR programs, the Manager, Higher Degree
Research Operations at gro@anu.edu.au. If there are multiple memos, each is to beemailed separately. The email subject line should be in the format: Case for English
Language Equivalency: [application number] [applicant’s name].
49.
The Associate Registrar (Admissions) or Manager, Higher Degree Research
Operations or Delegate will forward the memo to the relevant Deputy Vice-Chancellor and
Dean who will consider the request, and within ten business days either:a. approve the request; orb. ask for further information to help inform their decision; orc. not approve the request, and email this outcome by replying to the requesting email
from admissions or the Graduate Research Office.
50.

For a Case to be approved, two approvals are needed; approvals must be given by

Deputy Vice-Chancellors and/or Pro Vice-Chancellors.
51.
Admissions (for coursework programs) or Graduate Research Office (for HDR
programs) will within five business days convey the decision to the Associate Dean byemail.
52.
The Associate Dean is responsible for supplying any further information that has
been requested within ten business days to the Associate Registrar (Admissions) orManager, Higher Degree Research Operations or Delegate. Clauses 48–51 will be
repeated until the request is either approved or not approved.
53.
If two approvals are received, Admissions (for coursework programs) or Graduate
Research Office (for HDR programs) will make the offer or force the offer in the UAC
system.
54.
The decision is final and as a Case for English Language Equivalency may not bemade by an applicant it may not be appealed.

CELE Monitoring of students
55.
For each student admitted under a Case for English Language Equivalency, theAssociate Dean making the Case is to appoint:
a. for coursework students, either the Convenor of the Student’s program, or the
Deputy Director (Education) or equivalent of the relevant Research School (orequivalent); or
b. for Higher Degree by Research Students, either the thesis supervisor or the Deputy
Director (HDR) or equivalent of the relevant Research School (or equivalent)

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

to confirm to the Associate Dean in the third month of enrolment/candidature that thestudent has the proficiency in English needed to participate in their study.
56.
Where proficiency in English needed to participate in the student’s study is notdemonstrated, remedial English courses are to be arranged by the area at no cost to thestudent. The College is required to cover relevant costs associated with English language
tuition.
57.
When proficiency in English needed to participate in the student’s study has been
demonstrated, the Associate Dean will inform either the Secretary to the Academic Quality
Assurance Committee or the Secretary to the Higher Degree Reserach Committee in
writing. The College is no longer required to source or fund further English language tuition
once the Secretary has been informed.

CELE Reporting58.
An annual report is to be prepared for AQAC, HDRC, and Academic Board
categorising Cases for English Language Equivalency by School and College, by cohort(undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, higher degree by research), by student
demographic, and by type of evidence used. The report should consider the marks andgrades, or work on the thesis, of each student, and a report from the staff member who ismonitoring their progress.

English language support
59.
The demonstration of the requisite English language proficiency to undertake
tertiary education is critical to the student’s ability to develop academic literacy, that is, toacquire and competently deploy the specialised language, argumentation, and referencing
conventions of discipline-specific discourse.
60.
Based on their performance in the post-entry language assessment, students are
directed to the appropriate available resources for developing their academic literacy andEnglish language proficiency.
61.
Students take responsibility for making use of these resources, which coveracademic literacy development and English language support.
Quality assurance
62.
The requirements specified in this policy are minimum requirements that will be
adopted University wide. An evidence-based case for a higher level of English language
ability for entry can be made for individual programs.
Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

63.
An annual report covering the previous calendar year is to be prepared by the
Planning and Service Performance Division. The report will use post-entry language
assessment data and progression and retention data to analyse each of the English
language admission requirements including achieved scores in instances where the policy
specifies a minimum score. The report is provided to the Academic Quality AssuranceCommittee at its second meeting each year. At that meeting, the Committee will consider
the report and recommend any changes to this policy to Academic Board.
64.
English language tests, English language programs, Foundation programs, andother pathway programs (excluding Secondary School qualifications) must demonstratethat they meet at a minimum the principles and criteria set out in Table 10 before they canbe considered for inclusion in this policy. Provided data will be used to determine the initialachievement levels (including sub-bands where appropriate); these levels will be quality
assured by and may be adjusted based on PELA data.
Table 10: Requirements for addition of English language tests and programs (excluding
Secondary School qualifications) to this policy

English language

Test quality

Program quality

Institutional

assurance

assurance

quality assurance

principles (clauseprinciples (clausecriteria (clause 67)

65)

66)

Yes

No

No

No

Either Program orEither Program orInstitutional

Institutional

principles

principles

No

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

tests
English language
programs

Foundation
programs
Other programs

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

65.

The English Language Test quality assurance principles are:Principle 1: The test is fit for purpose.
o The test measures academic English language proficiency.
o The tasks and scoring methods represent similar tasks, skills and values tothose of the academic domain.
o The test provider has a validation agenda which examines the accuracy andappropriateness of scoring, the test’s fit-for-purpose for the academic
domain, and the impact of the test. The validation research is available.
o The test generates preparation activities that develop academic English.
Principle 2: The test provides sufficient information for decision-making.
o The test measures four skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
o The test levels are representative of the range of English language
proficiencies relevant to the ANU applicant pool.
o The Standard Error of Measurement (SEm) is acceptable at score decision
points, i.e., the minimum required score for entry to a program.
Principle 3: The test provides consistent and fair measurement.
o The test is reliable and publishes information about its internal properties.
o The test is secure.
o The test is not biased against any applicant groups.
Principle 4: The test’s score equivalence with other tests is robust.
o There is a sound empirical basis for the score equivalences claimed.
o Equivalences are based on considerations of construct congruence as wellas correlational strength.
Principle 5: The range of tests is accessible.
o At least one of the tests is accessible in terms of technology, geography andany accommodations required for inclusive testing.

Policy: English language requirements for admission policyo In rare circumstances, exceptions may apply to Principles 1 to 4 for reasonsof inclusivity and access.
66.

The Program quality assurance principles are:Principle 1: The curriculum, learning outcomes and assessments are fit for purpose
and sufficient evidence is gathered.


Criteria for evaluation:
i. The curriculum and learning outcomes focus centrally on the domain ofEnglish-medium university study;ii. The program offers a rich and relevant learning experience;iii. The summative assessments capture a robust sample of relevant
academic English language and literacy skills, including oral and listening
skills;iv. Scoring and rating processes and levels (summative assessments)
prioritise aspects of English language ability that are relevant to Englishmedium university study; andv. Any use of external examinations is well justified in relation to the course
outcomes.

Providers supply:
i. Relevant curriculum overviews and learning outcomes;
ii. Structure and time allocation for the program, including time spend inclass and mode of class delivery (e.g., in-person, online);iii. Specifications for summative assessments demonstrating the evidencebase for academic English proficiency; andiv. Sample summative assessments (e.g., practice test papers) anddescriptions/samples of assessment components (e.g., task description,use of input texts, approach to AI and technology assistance at task level,
marking criteria, assessment conditions and timing).

Principle 2: The summative assessments and final grades are reliable, transparent
and fair representations of an individual’s English language ability.


Criteria for evaluation:
i. The assessments are reliable and consistently administered with marking
moderation processes in place;ii. The assessments are secure and there are procedures in place formonitoring academic integrity, including the use of AI tools;

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

iii. The Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) is acceptable at the minimum
required score for entry to a university program;iv. If machine scoring/rating is used, it is combined with human monitoring(for objective scoring) and human rating (for subjective scoring). Any useof AI in the assessment and marking process should be well documented
and transparent;
v. Final grades are based on independent work (i.e., not group marks); andvi. Teaching/assessing staff are well qualified.
Providers supply auditable evidence on the following:i. Descriptions of regular marking processes for all summative tasks,
including regular moderation, co-marking, or other procedures;
ii. Procedures for keeping summative assessment materials andadministrations secure;iii. Expectations regarding the independence of summative assessments
including expectations about the use of technological assistance insummative assessments, and the ways that this is monitored, and theextent of any collaborative assessment performances;iv. Procedures for educating about and monitoring academic integrity;
v. Reliability statistics and item statistics for summative assessments;
vi. Details of human and machine scoring methods; andvii. Recruitment criteria for relevant staff.

Principle 3: The program final grades are comparable to the university entry
requirement score level/s.


Criteria for evaluation:
i. There is a sound empirical basis for the relationship between program
grades and university English language entrance requirements; andii. If external, standardised tests are used as summative assessments,
these have robust and evidence-based equivalences to university
entrance requirements.

Providers supply:
i. Documentation about benchmarking with external tests and/or university
entrance standard-setting procedures;
ii. Tracking studies showing pathway college students’ performances onceat university; andPolicy: English language requirements for admission policy

iii. Evidence of equivalence of any external tests used to university entrance
requirements.
67.

The Institutional quality assurance criteria are:a. the provider must be on, or must be a wholly-owned subsidiary of a provider
on, at least one of the:i. Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas
Students (CRICOS);
ii.National Register of Higher Education Providers in accordance with
the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011
(TEQSA Act);b. the program must be entirely taught in a Group A County (see Table 3); andc. the program is taught by an Australian university or a wholly-owned
subsidiary of an Australian university, or was developed in partnership with orcreated for an Australian university; and that university admits students who
successfully complete the program at a specified minimum achievement level
in English directly into an undergraduate or postgraduate degree with an
English language admission requirement of at least that specified in Table 2(for admission into undergraduate programs) or Table 6 (for admission into
postgraduate coursework programs); the initial achievement level in English
will be the same as that set by that university.

68.

Where an English Language Test, English Language Program, Foundation

Program, or Other Program is to be considered for addition to this policy, the Pro ViceChancellor (Academic Quality) requests the relevant organisation to provide evidence thatthe test or program meets the relevant Principles and Criteria; however, institutional criteria
may be determined from published sources and not requested from the institution. The Pro
Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality) seeks written advice from at least two academic
experts in the field of English language testing based on the evidence provided and on
Test Principle 5. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality) prepares a case forconsideration by the Academic Quality Assurance Committee for endorsement fortransmission to Academic Board for approval.
69.

Where a Government declares an emergency situation that prevents or makes it

difficult for applicants to access the tests listed in this policy, Academic Board may

Policy: English language requirements for admission policy

approve, for the duration of that emergency only, tests that do not meet these principles forapplicants impacted by that emergency. Such tests must be included in appendices to theTables.
70.

Each Secondary-School Qualification, English language test, English language

program, Foundation program, or Other program is accredited for inclusion for a maximum
period of five years. A case for reaccreditation must be made for each program; the casemust include consideration of post-entry language assessment data and student
progression and retention data. The Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Quality) may call an
earlier review of a qualification or program based on the results of the annual reporting of
post-entry language assessment data and student progression and retention data.
71.

Where a test or program states that it is only accepted if it was “completed before”

or “commenced before” a specified date, it is not subject to ongoing review past that date,
but will remain a valid entry mechanism subject to those restrictions.

Implementation
72.

This version of the policy applies to applications for enrolment to commence study

on or after 1 December 2022.

Policy: English language requirements for admission policyDocument information
Title

English language admission requirements and postadmission support

Document Type

PolicyDocument Number

ANUP_000408

VersionPurposeTo establish the English language requirements foradmission to the University.

Audience

Students, Prospective Students, Staff-Professional,
Staff-Academic

Category

Academic

Topic

Students

Subtopic
Effective Date

20 Aug 2024

Review Date

20 Aug 2029

Responsible Officer

Registrar, Student Administration(registrar@anu.edu.au)

Approved By

Academic Board (CGRO.Secretariat@anu.edu.au)

Contact Area

Division of Student Administration and Academic
Services (associateregistrar.asq@anu.edu.au)

Authority

National Code of Practice for Providers of Education andTraining to Overseas Students 2018
Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold
Standards) 2021
Coursework Awards Rule 2020
Research Awards Rule 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000

Printed On

2 Oct 2024

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