English language proficiency requirements for admission

Advanced degrees, including Master’s by Research and Doctoral programs, require a high level of English language proficiency. Applicants must be able to demonstrate advanced and effective English language skills appropriate to the demands of intensive research, scholarly writing, and academic communication.

All applicants are required to submit complete and verifiable documentary evidence of English Language Proficiency (ELP) at the time of application for admission and scholarship consideration. Applications that do not include appropriate ELP documentation may not be assessed.

Monash University reserves the right to request additional or updated evidence of English Language Proficiency at any stage of the application or enrolment process to ensure compliance with University requirements.

The recommended method for demonstrating that applicants satisfy the University English Language Proficiency requirements is via an approved English Language Test.

The University accepts a range of tests; however, International applicants are advised to check Visa application language test requirements to ensure that they take the appropriate test as some may not be accepted for Visa applications. Applicants intending to study in Australia should check the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration website.

1. Applicants from approved English‑speaking countries (First language English)

Applicants from Monash‑approved English‑speaking countries who have successfully completed tertiary studies taught and assessed entirely in English are generally considered to meet the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements.

In most cases, no English language test is required.

Monash University may, however, request supporting evidence of English‑medium instruction where prior study was completed in a country or institution in which English is not the official primary language of instruction. This ensures all students are well prepared to succeed in Monash’s rigorous academic and research environment.

2. English language test requirement (primary method)

If you do not meet the ELP requirements through first language or prior tertiary study in English‑medium (see below), you must provide results from an approved English language test:

• Tests must be taken at an official test centre
• Home‑based or online test formats are not accepted
• Test results must be valid at the time of application (i.e no more than two years old)

Minimum test score requirements vary by Faculty and are outlined in the table below.

⚠️ Important: Applicants intending to study in Australia must ensure the selected English language test also meets Department of Home Affairs visa requirements, as not all tests accepted by Monash are accepted for visa purposes.

3. Prior tertiary study in English

You may meet the English language proficiency requirements if you have completed a tertiary qualification of at least two years’ full‑time duration of full-time study, completed within the timeframe outlined below, that was taught and assessed entirely in English, in:

• Qualifications completed at Monash University (Australia, Malaysia, or Indonesia campus):
  Must be a formal tertiary qualification.
  • Two‑year full‑time course duration:
    • Must be completed within five years of application
      (note the time-frame for Arts and Law programs is 2 years).
  • One‑year full‑time course duration:
    • Must be completed within two years of application to Monash University.

• Where study was in a Monash‑approved English‑speaking country, or an overseas institution where English is confirmed as the sole language of instruction (as recognised by Monash).* 
  • Have a minimum duration of two years of full‑time study.
  • Be completed within five years of the of application to Monash University
    (note the time-frame for Arts and Law programs is 2 years).

* Successful completion of a course of tertiary studies at a Higher Education institution for which English is the only language of instruction for the course and institution as confirmed in the World Higher Education database (WHED), or where a letter of confirmation is provided by the institution may be considered in certain circumstances, noting that the preferred evidence is a satisfactory English language test.

Monash University approved English language countries

4. Monash English Program

Applicants may be able to complete the Monash English Program where their English test result doesn’t quite meet the minimum outlined above. Information is available here.

Applicants applying to the South-East University-Monash Joint Award may undertake the English Degree Program in Suzhou, China. Information is available here.

Note: The faculties of Arts and Law do not accept applicants via these pathways.