UNSW groups English requirements by faculty and study level. Read your faculty’s row and its exceptions. A combined degree may need the higher of two requirements.
Accepted English tests and versions
IELTS Academic/UKVI and One Skill Retake; PTE Academic; TOEFL iBT including Home Edition (TOEFL for Australia); Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency. LanguageCert Academic and MET are listed from Term 1, 2027.
IELTS Online and TOEFL MyBest are not accepted. UNSW’s new-TOEFL-format notice requires checking ‘TOEFL for Australia’ before booking.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering: undergraduate, coursework and research | IELTS Academic | 6.5 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Engineering: undergraduate, coursework and research | PTE Academic | 64 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 54 |
| Business/Law: undergraduate and coursework; exceptions apply | IELTS Academic | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Business/Law: undergraduate and coursework; exceptions apply | PTE Academic | 65 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 54 |
| Master of Teaching (Primary/Secondary) | IELTS Academic | 7.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Master of Teaching (Primary/Secondary) | PTE Academic | 73 | 79 | 65 | 65 | 79 |
Information accessed: . Sources: UNSW English language requirements. Check the official sources for updates before choosing or booking a test.
Selected faculty rows, not a complete degree list. Do not use English-waiver thresholds as ordinary admission scores.
Undergraduate, postgraduate and higher-requirement courses
Research rows can differ from coursework. Use your study-level column.
Teaching, social work, medicine and clinical psychology have exceptions in the faculty tables.
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 need to fall within two years of starting; UNSW also specifies term-based date cut-offs.
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 prior study and assessed English waivers are available under detailed rules, with course exclusions.
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
UNSW College offers the University English Entry Course (UEEC). Packaged offers exclude teaching and selected psychology programs.
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.
How to check your exact course
- Open the UNSW 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.
UNSW questions
Does the lower English-waiver table apply to everyone?
No. A waiver is a separate assessed route. Start with the normal faculty table and ask admissions about any waiver application.
Is university entry enough for teacher registration?
Treat admission and registration as separate checks. Keep both authorities’ requirements in your study plan.
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.
- UNSW English language requirements — Faculty/level scores, accepted tests, validity, exceptions, waivers and UEEC packages. 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. UNSW Sydney decides admission eligibility.