English language requirements

All students need appropriate English language skills for admission to UQ. The level of English required depends on the program you're applying for.

To be eligible for entry to most UQ programs, you need to meet our minimum English language requirements (overall IELTS of 6.5 and 6.0 in all sub-bands or equivalent, including IELTS One Skill Retake).

For some programs, you must meet higher than usual English requirements.

To identify which requirements you need to meet, check the program page. All English language requirements are governed by our:

• English Language Proficiency Admission Policy
• English Language Proficiency Admission Procedure.

Meeting the minimum requirements

You can demonstrate you meet English requirements by providing evidence of test results, study or work experience.

English language tests

You can demonstrate your English language skills by achieving at least:

• a 6.5 overall and a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-band of the IELTS test, including IELTS One Skill Retake, or
• acceptable scores in equivalent tests (PDF).

English language study or work experience

You can also meet our English language proficiency requirements if you can demonstrate one of the following:

1. Completed senior secondary schooling from a designated country (PDF, 152KB) where the medium of instruction is English
2. Obtained a recognised qualification, score or test (and satisfied relevant conditions) listed in either equivalent tests and qualifications (PDF) or interstate subject equivalents
3. Successfully completed a bachelor's or master’s degree from an accredited university or institution recognised by UQ for this purpose
4. Successfully undertaken at least 1 year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study in a designated country (PDF, 152KB) from an accredited university or institution recognised by UQ for this purpose
5. Successfully undertaken at least 2 years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study from an accredited university or institution recognised by UQ for this purpose (you need to have undertaken your final year of studies during the 5 years immediately before your commencement at UQ), or
6. Acceptable evidence of sufficient English language skills developed through paid or voluntary work experience in a primarily English-speaking professional environment in a designated country (PDF, 152KB) for at least 3 years immediately before the start of your UQ studies.

UQ only recognises accredited universities or institutions for English language proficiency purposes where English is the medium of instruction and assessment.

Meeting the higher requirements

To understand the requirements and acceptable evidence for programs with higher-level English requirements, check the program page or program-specific requirements (PDF).

You can use IELTS test, including IELTS One Skill Retake together with the original IELTS Academic test results to demonstrate your English proficiency for all programs. Depending on the program you may also be able to demonstrate your English language skills by:

• achieving acceptable scores in equivalent tests (PDF), or
• completing a recognised qualification, score or test (and satisfying relevant conditions) for your specific program.

Documentation

When you apply to UQ, include certified copies of academic transcripts and award certificates to help to demonstrate your English language proficiency.

To be valid, English language tests must have been taken within 2 years of commencing study at UQ. We verify all test results with the relevant test authority.

IELTS

Attach a copy of the IELTS test result to your application, or IELTS One Skill Retake together with the original IELTS Academic Test. 

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition)

You must arrange for UQ to receive an original copy of your official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score report. Ask the Educational Testing Service to send the Official Score Report directly to The University of Queensland (Institutional code: 0987).

UQ does not accept institutional TOEFL test results.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Send a copy of your results through your online PTE Academic account. To send your results to UQ:

1. Log in to your PTE Academic account.
2. Click 'Send Scores' and enter 'UQ'.
3. Click 'Send'.