Index
English equivalency information for applicants
International students applying to RMIT University, including RMIT University International College (RUIC), must provide evidence of their English language proficiency before they can be admitted to their preferred programs.
The following is intended as a guide to acceptable forms of English language proficiency for admission to RMIT. Minimum English language proficiency requirements may differ between programs at the same study level. Applicants are strongly advised to confirm the minimum English proficiency required for their preferred programs in the relevant publication available from http://www.rmit.edu.au/programs/International/Brochures. A final assessment will also be made by RMIT on receipt of the applicant’s application form and full supporting documentation.
Please note that where an applicant has achieved more than one form of English language proficiency only the most recent achievement will be considered in the admission decision.
- English language proficiency tests
- Recognised qualifications (Australia and international)
- Incoming study abroad and exchange students
1. English language proficiency tests
The information below is provided as a general guide only and a final assessment will be made on receipt of your application. Minimum English language proficiency requirements may differ between programs at the same study level and applicants are advised to confirm the minimum English proficiency required for their preferred programs in the relevant publication available from http://www.rmit.edu.au/programs/International/Brochures.
Where an English language proficiency test is used for admission, the test must be taken no more than two years prior to the RMIT program commencement date. Where an RMIT English Worldwide (REW) proficiency certificate is used, the REW certificate must be obtained no more than 12 months prior to the program commencement date.
Please note that where an applicant has achieved more than one form of English language proficiency, only the most recent achievement will be considered in the admission decision.
Type of English Language Proficiency Test | Indicative Minimum Scores for Study Level | |||||
VCE / Foundation Studies / TAFE | Associate Degree | Higher education (Undergraduate & Postgraduate) | ||||
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 (no band less than 5.0) | 6.0 (no band less than 5.5) | 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)
| 7.0 (no band less than 6.5)
| 7.5 (no band below 7.0) | 8.0 (no band below 7.5) |
TOEFL (Paper based) | 530 (TWE 3.5) | 550 (TWE 4.0) | 580 (TWE 4.5) | 600 (TWE 5.0) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT) | Overall score of 71 with minimum of 17 in any sections | Overall score of 79 with minimum of 19 in any sections | Overall score of 92 with minimum of 20 in any sections | Overall score of 100 with minimum of 24 in writing and 22 in all other sections | Overall score of 106 with minimum of 24 in any sections | Not applicable |
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE(A)) | 42 (no band less than 36) | 50 (no band less than 42) | 58 (no band less than 50) | 65 (no band less than 58) | 72 (no band less than 65) | 79 (no band less than 72) |
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | -- | CAE Grade C | CAE Grade B | CAE Grade B | CAE Grade A | Not applicable |
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | CPE Grade C |
RMIT English Worldwide (REW) – English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs | Upper Intermediate certificate | Advanced certificate | Advanced Plus certificate | (Advanced 2 certificate pre- 2011) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
*TWE = Test of Written English
Other information:
- IELTS (General) is not accepted for admission into RMIT university programs.
- Details about IELTS, TOEFL and PTE testing are available by following these links:
- Details about RMIT English Worldwide programs
2. Recognised qualifications (Australia and international)
The information below is provided as a general guide to the qualifications that may be used to determine English language proficiency for admission to RMIT University. Evidence of attainment of the minimum scores as indicated below must be provided at the time of application. Minimum English language proficiency requirements may differ between programs at the same study level. Applicants are still required to meet the minimum academic requirements of their preferred program. Any qualifications submitted must have been achieved no more than two years prior to the program commencement date.
Where an applicant’s qualification may not be accepted as proof of proficiency, the applicant is encouraged to undertake an accepted English language proficiency test (as outlined in section 1) to meet the necessary minimum English proficiency requirements for their preferred program.
Please note that where an applicant has achieved more than one form of English language proficiency, only the most recent achievement will be considered in the admission decision.
Country of Study | Qualification Type | Minimum Scores for Study Level | |||||
Foundation Studies / TAFE | Associate Degree | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | ||||
Australia | Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) | Study Score of at least 20 in ESL,or 15 in units 3 and 4 in any other VCE English subject. | Study Score of at least 25 in ESL,or 20 in units 3 and 4 in any other VCE English subject | Study Score of at least 30 in ESL,or 25 in units 3 and 4 in any other VCE English subject | Not applicable | ||
Diploma or Advanced Diploma | At least 2 years of study in a Diploma or Advanced Diploma degree conducted in Australia that is undertaken less than 5 years before commencement of the RMIT program. English must be the language of instruction and assessment. | Not applicable | |||||
Bachelor degree | Completion of at least 1 year of study in an Australian Bachelor program that is undertaken less than 5 years before commencement of the RMIT program. | ||||||
All countries | International Baccalaureate (IB) | Minimum of 3 in English A1 or A2. | Minimum of 4 in English A1 or A2. | Not applicable | |||
Global Assessment Certificate (GAC) | C or better in both “Listening and Speaking Skills for an Educational Context II” and “Reading and Writing Skills for an Educational Context II” | Not applicable | |||||
South Australian Matriculation | English Studies or English as a Second Language (ESL) with Grade C or better | Not applicable | |||||
Ontario | Score of 50% or better in ENG4U, ENG4C or equivalent. | Not applicable | |||||
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) | Study Score of at least 20 in ESL,or 15 in units 3 and 4 in any other VCE English subject. | Study Score of at least 25 in ESL,or 20 in units 3 and 4 in any other VCE English subject | Study Score of at least 30 in ESL,or 25 in units 3 and 4 in any other VCE English subject | Not applicable | |||
Denmark | Studentereksamen | Studentereksamen with at least 7 in English Level A or 10 in English Level B English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary level program where English is the language of instruction for the majority (minimum of 60 ECTS^) of the subjects/courses taken in that program. | |||||
Finland | Ylioppilastutkintoto / Lukionpaastotodishis | Ylioppilastutkintoto / Lukionpaastotodishis at least a grade 8 or better in English or English A in final year of secondary school (taken less than 5 years before commencement of the RMIT program). English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary level program where English is the language of instruction for the majority (minimum of 60 ECTS^) of the subjects/courses taken in that program. | |||||
Germany | Fachhochschulereife, Arbitur or DAAD | Fachhochschulereife with at least 5 in English, or, | |||||
Hong Kong | HKCEE | Level 3 or better in English Language | Not applicable | ||||
HKALE | D or better in Use of English | C or better in Use of English | Not applicable | ||||
Malaysia | SPM | 4B or better in English | Not applicable | ||||
STPM | C or better in English | B or better in English | Not applicable | ||||
Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) | English or EALD with grade 60% or better | Not applicable | |||||
Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom | GCE ‘O’ Levels | C6 or better in English | Not applicable | ||||
GCE ‘A’ Levels | D7 or better in General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry | C6 or better in General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry | Not applicable | ||||
The Netherlands | Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) or Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs(HAVO) | VWO with at least 8 in English (taken less than 5 years before commencement of the RMIT program), or, HAVO (Senior General Secondary Education – 5 years) with a minimum grade of 8 (taken less than 5 years before commencement of the RMIT program). English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary level program where English is the language of instruction for the majority of the subjects/courses taken in that program. | |||||
Norway | Vitnemal | Vitnemal with 4 or better in English Level 2. | |||||
Sweden | Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg | Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg with at least 4 or VG in English. | |||||
^ ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
3. Incoming study abroad and exchange students
The following information is provided as a general guide to the minimum English language proficiency requirements for students wishing to undertake an Exchange or Study Abroad program at RMIT University.
Any qualifications or test submitted as proof of English language proficiency must have been achieved no more than two years prior to the program commencement date.
|
English Language Proficiency Test |
Minimum Test Score Required |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (Academic) |
6.0 (no band less than 5.5) |
|
TOEFL (Paper based) |
550 (TWE 4.0) |
|
TOEFL (Internet Based Test – iBT) |
Overall score of 79 with minimum of 19 in any sections |
|
Pearson Test of English (PTE) |
50 (no band less than 42) |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) |
CAE Grade C |
|
RMIT English Worldwide (REW) – English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs |
Advanced certificate |
|
Country of Study |
Qualification Type |
Minimum Scores Required |
|---|---|---|
|
Denmark |
Studentereksamen |
Studentereksamen with at least 7 in English Level A or 10 in English Level B English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary level program where English is the language of instruction for the majority (minimum of 60 ECTS^) of the subjects/courses taken in that program. If the applicant has not completed the full 60 ECTS in English, in some circumstances, a written confirmation from the partner institution’s international coordinator (i.e. staff member nominating the student for exchange) advising the applicant’s level of English and vouching for their ability to successfully complete their studies at RMIT in English will be considered. |
|
Finland |
Ylioppilastutkintoto / Lukionpaastotodishis |
Ylioppilastutkintoto / Lukionpaastotodishis at least a grade 8 or better in English or English A in final year of secondary school (taken less than five years before commencement of the RMIT program). English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary program where English is the language of instruction for the majority (minimum of 60 ECTS^) of the subjects/courses taken in that program. |
|
Germany |
Fachhochschulereife, Arbitur or DAAD |
Fachhochschulereife with at least 3 in English, or, Abitur with at least 7 in English, or, DAAD language test with minimum of B in all sections English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary program where English is the language of instruction for the majority (minimum of 60 ECTS^) of the subjects/courses taken in that program. |
|
The Netherlands |
Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) or Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs(HAVO) |
VWO with at least 8 in English (taken less than five years before commencement of the RMIT program), or, HAVO (Senior General Secondary Education – five years) with a minimum grade of 8 (taken less than five years before commencement of the RMIT program). English proficiency assessment may also be based on the completion of a tertiary level program where English is the language of instruction for the majority of the subjects/courses taken in that program. |
|
Norway |
Vitnemal |
Vitnemal with 4 or better in English Level 2. |
|
Sweden |
Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg |
Avgangsbetyg / Slutbetyg with at least 4 or VG in English. |
^ ECTS = European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
Disclaimer
Please note every reasonable effort was made to ensure that the information in this document was correct at the time of publication.
RMIT University reserves the right to alter any admission requirement without prior notice.