Find your course’s English category first. Most coursework uses Competent English; law, clinical and education courses can use higher categories. Check the dated policy table rather than an older prospectus.
Accepted English tests and versions
IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, LanguageCert Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency and OET. Duolingo is limited to specified applicants; it is not a general degree-entry option.
The policy accepts IELTS One Skill Retake. It considers the single best test within its validity period; do not assume scores can be pooled. General at-home test acceptance is not established here.
Check the official accepted-evidence guidance before paying for a test.
Score requirements
Both the overall result and each listed skill minimum matter. These are clearly identified admission categories, not a promise that one row covers every degree.
| Admission category | Test | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent: most coursework; from 1 March 2026 | IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Competent: most coursework; from 1 March 2026 | PTE Academic | 60 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 54 |
| Proficient: MBA/related; from 1 March 2026 | IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Proficient: MBA/related; from 1 March 2026 | PTE Academic | 68 | 50 | 51 | 55 | 54 |
| Advanced: initial teacher education; from 1 March 2026 | IELTS Academic | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Advanced: initial teacher education; from 1 March 2026 | PTE Academic | 76 | 72 | 66 | 73 | 88 |
Information accessed: . Sources: Macquarie English proficiency framework · Admission Policy: Schedule 1. Check the official sources for updates before choosing or booking a test.
The policy has additional Proficient rows for placements/accreditation and clinical health. The MBA row does not cover every Proficient course.
Undergraduate, postgraduate and higher-requirement courses
Competent covers most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework. Research applicants need their own admission rules.
The admissions framework identifies Law and Clinical Science as Proficient; initial teacher education as Advanced. Medicine, physiotherapy and clinical psychology are also listed under Proficient, with category-specific component conditions.
Check the named course or category on the official admissions/course page. Write down the course code and intake so your question is specific.
How recent must your evidence be?
Tests generally must be less than two years old at commencement. Qualification-based evidence has separate limits.
Compare your test date with the date named in the rule. If your result will be close to expiry, ask admissions before planning another test.
Previous study and alternative evidence
Recognised English-medium qualifications, approved English subjects and foundation/EAP programs can qualify. Proficient and Advanced English have stricter prior-study conditions; the university may still request a test.
Prepare your transcript and any official evidence about the language of teaching and assessment. Let admissions decide whether it satisfies your course; a school’s use of English alone is not proof of eligibility.
English and admission pathways
Macquarie University College ELP may be included in a packaged offer for academically eligible applicants. The required ELP result depends on the English category.
Explore the university’s English pathway options. Ask about entry evidence, the required final result and whether that route can be packaged with your intended degree. Master English preparation is separate from these university programs.
Important source differences
The 2026 prospectus lists PTE 58/52 for Competent English; the live policy’s ‘from 1 March 2026’ row lists 60 with different skill minimums. Ask admissions which dated rule applies to your application; this guide labels the current policy row explicitly.
How to check your exact course
- Open the Macquarie University official course/admissions page and find your degree and intake.
- Find English language entry requirements. Record the accepted test version, overall score and every skill minimum.
- Check exceptions, test dates, retakes and any conditions on your offer.
- If two official sources differ, send admissions both links, your course code and your intended start date. Ask which rule applies before booking.
Keep university admission, visa English and professional registration as separate checks.
Macquarie questions
Is Macquarie’s PTE requirement still 58?
That appears in older material. The current policy separates dates and categories; confirm the applicable row with admissions.
Does Proficient English mean one score for every course?
No. The policy separates MBA, placement/accreditation and clinical categories. Identify the row for your course before setting your targets.
Official sources and review status
Accessed 14 October 2026. Prepared by Master English Australia; teacher review has not yet occurred. University rules and your offer determine eligibility.
- Macquarie English proficiency framework — Course categories, prior-study options and ELP pathways. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Admission Policy: Schedule 1 — Dated IELTS/PTE tables, versions, validity and category conditions. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- 2026 international prospectus (PDF) — Older Competent PTE figures; discrepancy flagged for admissions. Accessed 14 October 2026.
Choose a preparation plan
IELTS preparation · PTE preparation · IELTS Academic format · PTE Academic format · Compare IELTS and PTE
Prepare for your required English score
Tell us your test and, if you know it, your degree name and required scores in the message. We can help with English preparation. Macquarie University decides admission eligibility.