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English language requirements

International students applying to Monash University or Monash College must provide evidence of their English language ability before being admitted.

For most Monash courses you need to reach a certain level in English language.

Accepted English language proficiency

1. Studying English at Year 12 or equivalent

You have achieved a satisfactory level of performance in an English subject at Year 12 or equivalent level. For Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) students, this means a study score of at least 25 in units 3 and 4 in a VCE English subject or a score of at least 30 in units 3 and 4 in VCE ESL English for undergraduate study.

For postgraduate study, a study score of at least 30 in units 3 and 4 in a VCE English subject or 35 in units 3 and 4 in VCE ESL English is required.

2. Studying at an institution where English is the language of instruction

Undergraduate entry

You have studied in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment for the entire institution. You must have satisfactorily completed either:

  • at least the equivalent of the first year of a university course (if this institution is outside Australia, you must have completed this within the last two years), or;
  • at least the equivalent of a two-year tertiary program (if the institution is outside Australia, you must have completed this within the last five years). Completion of an Australian TAFE, Singapore Polytechnic or Malaysian College diploma will satisfy this requirement.

Documentary evidence in the form of a letter or transcript is required from the institution at which the study was undertaken.

Postgraduate coursework entry

You have studied in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment for the entire institution.  You must have satisfactorily completed either:

  • at least the equivalent of the three semesters of a university course (if the institution was not in Australia, you must have completed this within the last two years), or;
  • at least the equivalent of a three-year tertiary program (if the institution was not in Australia, you must have completed this within the last five years).

Documentary evidence in the form of a letter or transcript is required from the institution at which the study was undertaken.

3. English language proficiency tests

You have undertaken an English language proficiency test within 24 months prior to your study commencement date and have achieved the following results:

For undergraduate study

English test Result required

IELTS (International English Language Testing System - academic test)

  • minimum test score of 6.5 overall
  • at least 6.5 in Reading and Listening
  • at least 6.0 in Writing and Speaking

Paper-based TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • minimum test score of 580
  • a Test of Written English (TWE) score of at least 4.5

Computer-based TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • a minimum test score of 237 in the computer-based TOEFL
  • an Essay Rating (ER) of at least 4.5.

Internet-based TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • a score of at least 90 overall
  • a Writing score of at least 22
  • no score lower than 20 on the other sections of the test.

You must include the original TOEFL or TWE test report with your application.

Important note: Some undergraduate courses have higher TOEFL or IELTS score requirements. The above English scores for undergraduate study are applicable from semester 2, 2008 onwards.

For postgraduate coursework study

English test Result required

IELTS (International English Language Testing System - academic test)

  • minimum test score of 6.5 overall
  • at least 6.5 in Reading and Listening
  • at least 6.0 in Writing and Speaking

Paper-based TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • minimum test score of 580
  • a Test of Written English (TWE) score of at least 4.5

Computer-based TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • a minimum test score of 237 in the computer-based TOEFL
  • an Essay Rating (ER) of at least 4.5.

Internet-based TOEFL (American Test of English as a Foreign Language)

  • a score of at least 90 overall
  • a Writing score of at least 22
  • no score lower than 20 on the other sections of the test.

You must include the original TOEFL or TWE test report with your application.

Important note: The scores in the table are the minimum English requirements for postgraduate coursework study. Some postgraduate courses including Medicine, Business, Law and Education have higher TOEFL or IELTS score requirements. The Faculty of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Education have recently had changes to their English language course requirements. The latest changes for these two Faculties are detailed at the following links: Faculty of Business and Economics English language requirements and Faculty of Education English language requirements.

English language requirements for research students.

4. Secondary schooling and two university-level subjects with English as the language of instruction

All of your secondary schooling was in English and you have successfully completed at least two university-level subjects in an institution where English is the language of instruction and assessment.

The university subjects must be "English-rich" and judged an appropriate test of proficiency in English language by the managing Monash faculty of the course applied for.

5. Monash University English Language program

You have successfully completed the Monash University English Language Bridging Program, or equivalent programs, at the appropriate level.

For further information visit the Monash University English Language Centre.

Full text of policy

The University's policy on English language entry requirements.