University Admission Requirements

Universities offer many courses to international students including Undergraduate Degrees and Postgraduate Degrees.

General entry requirements:

• Undergraduate Degree - To gain entry into an Australian undergraduate course you will need to have an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent. Some undergraduate courses may also have specific pre-requisite subjects.
• Postgraduate Degree - As well as the satisfactory completion of at least one degree at undergraduate level, your institution may take research ability or relevant work experience into consideration.

Undergraduate Degree

Entry into an Australian undergraduate university degree usually requires a student to have reached a high level of study equivalent to the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12), or the overseas equivalent. If completing secondary school in Australia, an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or Qld Overall Position (OP) rank is required to enter university which is obtained once the student has successfully finished their Year 12 requirements. Additionally, depending on the course, there may also be additional entry requirements, such as knowledge in certain subjects; work experience, or successful completion of a test, interview, or presentation of a portfolio.

If the student has not completed an Australian Year 12 or equivalent, there are many options available to students who have finished year 12 in their own country:

• Option 1 – Attend an English Language School (if applicable) → Enter a Foundation course OR College / TAFE Certificate IV → Enter the first year of a University degree
• Option 2 – Attend an English Language School (if applicable) → If you have completed the first year of a university course in your home country, then you may be able to enter the first year of university in Australia
• Option 3 – Attend an English Language School (if applicable) → If you have completed a two years diploma course in your home country, then you may be able to enter the second year of university in Australia

Foundation Courses are very popular for international students who do not meet the entry requirements for an undergraduate course in Australia. These courses prepare the student for entry into university, are intensive, and are usually one year in duration. Please refer to the Foundation Programme for courses available to international students.

Admission Documentation Requirements for entry into Undergraduate Degree

Documentation Required:

• Academic Records (Year 12 or equivalent / Foundation course / TAFE course)
• English Evidence
• Passport photo
• Passport

English Language Requirements - Undergraduate

Most University’s require an English test to be completed prior to admission.  The most popular English language test for international students is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  These tests can be undertaken anywhere in the world.  An undergraduate university degree usually requires an IELTS test score of at least 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-band of IELTS. Some university programs require higher English proficiency requirements i.e. Medicine requires 7.0, with no band score less than 6.5.  Universities may also accept other English language test results, such as, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (Academic), Cambridge English/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). 

Postgraduate Degree

Entry into an Australian postgraduate university degree usually requires a student to have satisfactorily completed an undergraduate degree (either overseas or in Australia), however, some universities may also take into account extensive work experience and/or previous research.

Admission Documentation Requirements for entry into Postgraduate Degree

Documentation Required:

• Academic Records (previous degree transcripts)
• English Evidence
• Passport photo
• Passport

English Language Requirements - Postgraduate

Most University’s require an English test to be completed prior to admission.  The most popular English language test for international students is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).  These tests can be undertaken anywhere in the world.  A postgraduate university degree usually requires an IELTS test score of at least 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-band of IELTS.  However, Masters Degrees may require a test score of at least 7.0, with no band score less than 6.0.  Universities may also accept other English language test results, such as, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Pearson Test of English (Academic), Cambridge English/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE).