English Language Requirements

To assist all students to succeed academically, Federation University courses have a minimum English Language Proficiency Entry Requirement.

International Applicants must meet the minimum English Language Requirements for entry into their chosen Federation University course. Refer to our Course Finder for specific requirements for each course.

Applicants need to provide one of the below forms of evidence to demonstrate their English Language proficiency

  • Approved English Language Test
    or
  • Non-test evidence
    • Evidence of successful completion of an approved English language pathway course
    • Prior study in Australia or a recognised English-speaking country, including but not limited to Canada, Ireland, New Zealand South Africa, United Kingdom, and the USA
    • Prior Study within the last 2 years at a recognised institution, or within a recognised qualification.

Courses that have specific higher english languager requirements, may be excluded from using previous study to demonstrate English. Please see explicit English Language requirements as listed on Course Finder for each course to verify. A final assessment will be made on receipt of full supporting documentation.

Typical courses that may require higher or specific English Language test results are (but not limited to).

  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Psychology
  • Bachelor of Psychology (Honours)
  • Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
  • Master of Teaching
  • Master of Education Studies

English language tests

Validity: English test results must be valid at the time of commencement of the course at Federation University. If an applicant defers the semester of commencement, the English test must still be valid at the commencement of the new semester or an updated English Language Test provided.

Every student will be assessed individually, and packaging the main course with an English for Academic Purposes course will be considered.

Academic IELTS TOEFL iBT* Pearson (PTE)Cambridge-CAE
Overall 7.5
(no less than 8.0 in Listening & Speaking, no less than 7.0 in Reading & Writing) 		106 with minimums:
Reading 24,
Listening 28,
Speaking 26,
Writing 27 		Overall 73
(no less than 81 in Listening & Speaking, no less than 65 in Reading & Writing) 		Overall 191
(no less than 200 in Listening & Speaking, no less than 185 in Reading & Writing)
Overall 7.5
(no band less than 7.0) 		106 with minimums:
Reading 24,
Listening 24,
Speaking 23,
Writing 27 		Overall 73
(no band less than 65) 		Overall 191
(no band less than 185)
Overall 7.0
(no band less than 7.0) 		100 with minimums:
Reading 24,
Listening 24,
Speaking 23,
Writing 27 		Overall 65
(no band less than 65) 		Overall 185
(no band less than 185)
Overall 7.0
(no band less than 6.5) 		100 with minimums:
Reading 19,
Listening 20,
Speaking 20,
Writing 24 		Overall 65
(no band less than 58) 		Overall 185
(no band less than 176)
Overall 6.5
(no band less than 6.5) 		79-93 with minimums:
Reading 18,
Listening 18,
Speaking 20,
Writing 24 		Overall 58
(no band less than 58) 		Overall 176
(no band less than 176)
Overall 6.5
(no band less than 6.0) 		79-93 with minimums:
Reading 13,
Listening 12,
Speaking 18,
Writing 21 		Overall 58
(no band less than 50) 		Overall 176
(no band less than 169)
Overall 6.0
(no band less than 6.0) 		60-78 with minimums:
Reading 13,
Listening 12,
Speaking 18,
Writing 21 		Overall 50
(no band less than 50) 		Overall 169
(no band less than 169)
Overall 6.0
(no band less than 5.5) 		60-78 with minimums:
Reading 8,
Listening 7,
Speaking 16,
Writing 18 		Overall 50
(no band less than 42) 		Overall 169
(no band less than 162)
Overall 5.5
(no band less than 5.5) 		46-49 with minimums:
Reading 8;
Listening 7;
Speaking 16;
Writing 18 		Overall 42
(no band less than 42) 		Overall 162
(no band less than 162)
Overall 5.5
(no band less than 5.0) 		46-59 with minimums:
Reading 4,
Listening 4,
Speaking 14,
Writing 14 		Overall 42
(no band less than 36) 		Overall 162
(no band less than 154)
Overall 5.0
(no band less than 5.0) 		35-45 with minimums:
Reading 4,
Listening 4,
Speaking 14,
Writing 14 		Overall 36
(no band less than 36) 		Overall 154
(no band less than 154)

*TOEFL iBT: the Australian Department of Home Affairs has recently reviewed TOEFL iBT test. Tests taken in between the dates July 26, 2023 and May 4, 2024 will not be recognised for relevant visa sub-classes to Australia (including student visas).

Please note:

  • Federation University also accepts Occupational English Test (OET) results with "B" in all bands, for entry into Nursing courses only. OET results are not accepted for courses in other fields - including the English and Academic Preparation (EAP) courses.
  • Where you have results from more than one of the above listed English Language Tests, Federation will only consider your most recent test results when determining admission.
  • Federation University will accept One Skill Retake for IELTS to meet our English Entry Requirements, (noting where it is accepted by accrediting bodies for courses with professional registration.)
  • If you qualify for a Federation University course and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, you may need to meet the relevant professional accrediting agency’s English language registration standard.
  • We reserve the right to require that any applicant undergo an English Language Test.
  • Inbound Study Abroad or exchange applicants must meet the minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for each unit in their proposed course, as per the course entry requirements.
  • A course with multiple location offerings will have the same English Language Requirements regardless of where and how it is delivered.

Pathways to study

Students who do not meet the English Language Requirements for their course of choice may be eligible to study one of our English for Academic Purposes courses in order to improve their English skills to the required level.

Information on these courses can be found on our Course Finder.

Previous Studies (from recognised countries)

Australian Qualifications - if you have certain qualifications from an Australian Provider, you may automatically satisfy the English Language Requirements for most undergraduate, and postgraduate coursework courses that require an English score up to IELTS 6.0 or equivalent.

Examples of qualifications that meet our English Language Requirements include:

  • Successful completion of an approved qualification from an Australian English language provider with proof of equivalence up to the required Course’s English entry proficiency
  • Australian Year 12 qualifications, Foundation or equivalent
  • Successful completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or comparable post-secondary qualifications
  • Successful completion of one full year of Australian tertiary studies at AQF Level 7 or above, including bachelor’s degrees and postgraduate studies, or equivalent.

For Higher Degree by Research degrees up to IELTS 6.5 or equivalent:

  • If you don’t have evidence via English Test Results, you must have completed an undergraduate course within the last two years in Australia to meet the English Entry Requirements.

International Qualifications – you may automatically satisfy the English Language Requirements for most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework and higher degree by research degrees that require an English score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent if you are a citizen or hold a passport from, or if you have completed at least 5 years study in English in one of the following countries Canada, Ireland, New Zealand South Africa, United Kingdom, and the USA.

English Language Proficiency for visa purposes
Although International Students may satisfy the University’s English Language Proficiency requirements, international students applying for a student visa may still need to meet additional student visa requirements for demonstrating English Language Proficiency as required by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) / Student visa eligibility.

Exemptions:
Temporary Graduate visa holders currently working in Australia who have completed their degree in Australia more than 2 years ago will also be accepted as meeting our English Language Requirements. Federation University may require further evidence to verify that your primary language of instruction whilst employed is English.

Alternative acceptance:
Any decision to accept an alternate means of satisfying the English Language Proficiency Requirements, that is outside what is specified, requires the approval of the Manager, International Admissions and will only be based on demonstrated equivalence to the applicable standards as specified in this section.