Enrolling in your dream Australian university as an international student can take time and effort. Besides the long list of documents you must prepare and submit and the essays you must write, there are additional requirements that other students don’t have to worry about. One of these is English proficiency, which must often be proved through IELTS.
Australian universities ask international students to submit proof of English proficiency to ensure that the language won’t be an obstacle while studying. This way, there are no doubts about your listening, speaking, and writing abilities. To prove this, many schools prefer to receive certifications for specific standard English proficiency tests, like IELTS. This fact means you’ll have to add over $200 to your budget, which is the cost of the test.
The problem is that this examination can be very expensive and isn’t the only thing you’ll have to pay while applying. Some higher institutions don’t have IELTS certifications as the only way to prove your English proficiency, so if you want to save money, applying to other standardized tests is a great idea! Many Australian universities have other alternatives to this exam if you are trying to save money.
Ways to Study in Australia without IELTS
Before listing the specific Australian universities that don’t require IELTS certification, let’s explain the common ways you can be exempted from it.
- Have another English proficiency test certification. These alternatives to IELTS, like TOEFL or PTE, are much cheaper.
- Take the English proficiency test of your chosen university. Many institutions have designed their tests, so you can skip this step when preparing your documents because you’ll have to take their test when applying.
- Be a citizen of an English-speaking country. Each university usually has a list of the countries they accept to be exempt from IELTS.
- Study secondary or tertiary education in English. It applies even if you come from a non-English speaking country, but you’ll have to prove that your education was entirely in English.
- Have a degree from a university in an English-speaking country or from a program taught in English.
- Study in one of their English programs before starting your career courses. It’s a good option if the university decides your English level is insufficient or if you can’t prove your English skills.
Now that you know if you meet any of the criteria mentioned, let’s jump into the specific higher institutions to see which ones in Australia accept alternatives to IELTS.
Universities in Australia that Don’t Require IELTS
1. Australian National University
Regarding quality education, the Australian National University is one of the best options. Ranked as one of the best in Australia, ANU offers many options in many areas and is considered one of the country’s best research centers. It also provides flexible studying options, allowing students to study individual programs and two bachelor’s or master’s degrees simultaneously.
The institution offers many options regarding its English language requirements. If you are a citizen of an English-speaking country and have studied secondary or tertiary education there, it will be considered proof of your language proficiency. They have a list of over 20 countries that qualify. This fact also applies if you studied in another country but can prove that your education was in English.
ANU also accepts other language proficiency tests, such as TOEFL, PTE, and Cambridge C1 Advanced. It also accepts local certificates from countries like Sweden, India, Austria, etc. Scores and grades may vary depending on the program you’d like to enroll in, so check their English language requirements policy page for more information.
2. University of Melbourne
With many enrolled international students, the University of Melbourne offers excellent opportunities for students outside Australia. Important public figures, like four Australian prime ministers, have been educated here. It offers impressive facilities, various activities, including sports and arts, and flexible study options.
You can submit a TOEFL, PTE, or CAE certificate, besides IELTS, to satisfy their English language requirements. The school also has its own Diagnostic English Language Assessment or DELA test. If you don’t get the required score, it offers different programs to help you improve your English.
Its requirements vary depending on the type of degree you are going for (graduate or undergraduate). Still, you will generally be exempted from IELTS if you have an English background or education. Visit the university’s English requirements page for more details.
3. University of Queensland
According to the QS World Rankings 2024, the University of Queensland is among Australia’s top 10 institutions. It has three stunning campuses and over 15,000 international students from 170 countries. This school has the highest number of Australian University Teaching awards and is part of Universitas 21.
As for English language proficiency requirements, the university accepts certification from other tests besides IELTS, including TOEFL (iBT and PB), CES, PTE, and BEP. Moreover, it receives accreditation from specific local tests and interstate subject equivalents. You are also exempted from IELTS if you completed secondary schooling in one of the 30 English-speaking countries specified on their website.
This information also applies if you’ve studied in an institution recognized by this school or worked for three years or more in an English-speaking environment. Check UQ’s English language proficiency requirements page to learn more. Read carefully, as it contains a lot of information and many documents related to their regulation.
4. University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales Sidney is a leading university in research, a member of Universitas 21, and internationally ranked 28th in terms of employability. It is in the top 20 universities of the QS Global World Ranking. UNSW has many options for proving your English language proficiency besides IELTS.
Other tests they accept include TOEFL, PTE, CAE, and CPE. If you took the ANU College Access Program, you are exempted from this. You can also take its English course, UNSW Institution of Languages University English Entry Course or UEEC. Moreover, this Australian institution accepts candidates who have studied senior secondary or tertiary education in one of the 29 English-speaking countries on its list.
If you have two years or more of relevant work experience using English, this can also be used to prove your English proficiency. The school even accepts candidates with a professional translator or interpreter certificate, so check their website for more details.
Remember, these English proficiency requirements are different from the English prerequisites you must have to get a student visa. Moreover, don’t forget to check the scholarship section of these universities, as they also offer financial aid to international students! You can also check the best Australian scholarships on our website to learn more.
We hope this article on universities in Australia without IELTS was helpful. If you are interested in studying in this country or abroad, check out our Study in Australia and the Available Programs for International Students!
