Sydney’s standard requirement is a starting point. Find the English requirement on your exact course, then use the university’s current test table. Professional-course conditions can override the standard.
Accepted English tests and versions
The admissions page lists IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Australia), LanguageCert Academic in person, and Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency. TOEFL Home Edition is not accepted.
General Training and other non-academic versions are not accepted. Online IELTS, One Skill Retake and combined sittings were not settled by the checked general page; ask admissions before relying on them.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard admission; check course exceptions | IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Standard admission; July 2026 concordance | PTE Academic | 64 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
Information accessed: . Sources: Sydney international English requirements · July 2026 English concordance (PDF) · Master of Nursing: official course. Check the official sources for updates before choosing or booking a test.
The university’s own July 2026 concordance supplies the PTE scores. These are admission figures, not Home Affairs equivalents.
Undergraduate, postgraduate and higher-requirement courses
The checked admissions page gives the same standard IELTS starting point for undergraduate and postgraduate study. The course page controls exceptions.
The Master of Nursing course requires NMBA English evidence. Its professional conditions cannot be replaced by the standard admission row. Teaching and law applicants should check their exact course rather than assume this standard applies.
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?
English tests must be no more than two years old at course commencement.
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 study or specified secondary English subjects may be accepted, with qualification-specific conditions. The concordance excludes pre-registration nursing from its subject-based alternatives.
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
Sydney’s Centre for English Teaching offers a Direct Entry Course. Ask CET whether your offer, current English evidence and intended degree qualify.
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
Older official concordance PDFs show different PTE figures. This guide uses the July 2026 PDF linked by current admissions guidance. If your course or offer gives another requirement, ask Sydney admissions to confirm the applicable table.
How to check your exact course
- Open the University of Sydney 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.
Sydney questions
Should I use an older Sydney PTE table?
Use the current table linked by admissions and your course conditions. Keep the table date with your notes so admissions can resolve any difference.
Can my previous English-medium study replace a test?
Possibly. Send the university your qualification and evidence of instruction; do not assume every degree or qualification qualifies.
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.
- Sydney international English requirements — Standard admission, accepted versions, study levels, validity and alternatives. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- July 2026 English concordance (PDF) — Published PTE overall/component scores and professional-course limitations. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Master of Nursing: official course — NMBA English-evidence requirement. Accessed 14 October 2026.
- Centre for English Teaching — Direct Entry Course availability. 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. University of Sydney decides admission eligibility.