English Proficiency Policy

This policy is under review to ensure compliance with the Higher Education Standards Framework and the Knight Review

                                

1.      Introduction

The University is committed to offering its educational programs to students from a broad range of backgrounds, cultures and languages. In doing so, it recognises its responsibility to ensure that students whose first language is not English, have sufficient proficiency to undertake the program of their choice.

The University of Newcastle therefore requires applicants for admission to a University of Newcastle international foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate program, whose first language is not English, to meet established English proficiency requirements. The setting and promulgation of English language requirements is in keeping with the expectations and requirements of the Code of Practice and Guidelines for Australian Universities on the Provision of Education to International Students.

2.      Policy intent

The purpose of the policy is to set the standard of English proficiency required of an applicant, whose first language is not English, for admission to the University.

3.      Relevant definitions

In the context of this document:

assessable qualification means a formal qualification which can be assessed as a basis of admission for any University of Newcastle program;

IELTS means International English Language Testing System;

CPE means Certificate of Proficiency in English;

CULT means Combined Universities Language Test;

PTE means Pearson Test of English;

TWE means Test of Written English;

TOEFL means Test of English as a Foreign Language;

OET means Occupational English Test;

current IELTS or TOEFL score means the latest available result on an IELTS or TOEFL test completed within two years of submission of an application to study at the University of Newcastle.

ELICOS means English Language intensive Courses for Overseas Students;

EAP means English for Academic purposes course in ELICOS.

4.      Policy

4.1.     An applicant for a place at the University of Newcastle who does not speak English as a first language must demonstrate that they meet the University’s English proficiency requirement.

4.2.     Applicants for entry to international foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate coursework or research higher degree programs whose first language is not English will be deemed to have sufficient English language proficiency if they satisfy one of the following requirements.

4.2.1.       The successful completion of one of the following Australian or overseas qualifications within the five (5) years preceding an application for study at the University of Newcastle.

1. Australian Qualifications:
   1. one or more full-time years of post-secondary study (or equivalent part-time) at a UoN recognised institution; or
   2. a preparation course approved by the University of Newcastle as a basis for admission.
2. Overseas Qualifications/Experience:
   1. a preparation course approved by the University of Newcastle as a basis for admission; or
   2. a senior secondary qualification normally accepted by the University as an assessable qualification for admission; or
   3. one or more full-time years of post-secondary study at a UoN recognised institution; provided the course is undertaken solely in the English language in one or more of the following countries [See Note below]:
      • American Samoa
      • Canada
      • Fiji
      • Ireland
      • Kenya
      • New Zealand
      • Papua New Guinea
      • Singapore
      • Solomon Islands
      • South Africa
      • United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland)
      • USA
      • Zambia; or
   4. a senior secondary qualification, a post secondary Diploma qualification of at least two years, an undergraduate program of three years or more, or a postgraduate program of two years or more FT or more, undertaken in a non-English speaking country provided the study:
      1. was completed in an institution which is listed in the International Handbook of Universities, World Higher Education Database, UK Naric Database or AEI NOOSR guides and
      2. is confirmed by the institution as having been conducted and examined solely in the English language.

4.2.2.       The five year timeframe noted in 4.2.1 may be extended, with the approval of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) when an applicant can provide evidence that he/she has spent a significant proportion of the period since successfully completing the course, living and/or working in a country whose national language is English.

4.2.3.       Attainment of results as listed in one of the following qualifications (Table 1, Table 2 or Table 3), completed within the 2 previous calendar years prior to the submission of the application to study at the University of Newcastle:

TABLE 1

TABLE 2 - Table 2 was applicable for admission in 2012 only and was removed from the Policy on 19 November 2012.

The table below will apply for admission in 2013 and beyond for the identified programs:

TABLE 3

4.3.      Where an applicant’s most recent evidence of English proficiency is a result in a TOEFL or IELTS or ELICOS Test, their result in that test will override any other measure/evidence of language proficiency.

4.4.     Other qualifications may from time to time be deemed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) to demonstrate satisfactory English language proficiency.  Approved qualifications will be listed in Schedule 1 of this policy. Schedule 1 is applicable only for general and non-specialist programs that require an overall band score of IELTS 6.0 or less. It is not applicable to programs listed in Table 3.

4.5.     The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) or, in the case of prospective research higher degree candidates, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may waive the English language requirement in accordance with the English Language Proficiency Procedure 000866.

4.6.     Where the English language requirements are waived by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) under the English Language Proficiency Procedure, the following requirements may be imposed:

1. applicants for undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programs to provide by the end of the first term of enrolment, evidence of having attained the stated proficiency level; or
2. research higher degree candidates to provide within twelve months of commencement of study, evidence of having attained the stated proficiency level.

5.      Essential Supporting Documents

English Language Proficiency Procedure 000866

SCHEDULE 1 - ENGLISH PROFICIENCY POLICY

Other qualifications deemed satisfactory for admission and deemed to be less than or equivalent to an overall band score of IELTS 6.0.

A.        For undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs

1.             Completion of International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum requirement of English A2 at the higher level or English A: literature or English A: language and literature.

2.             C Pass in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.

3.             Great Britain General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) - GCE’A’ - C pass in General Paper English, or other Humanities subjects (see Note 1 for list).

4.             C Pass in the “Use of English” in Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination.

5.             C Pass in English 920, 914 STPM (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia-Malaysian Higher School Certificate).

6.             Pass in "English" at University, for students from Scandinavian countries who do not meet the following standards:

1. Grade of "4" in English in the final year of the Norwegian Vitnemal: den Vidergaende Skole
2. Grade of "3" in English in the final year of the Swedish Avgangsbetyg < 1997 Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate. Offer letters are to recommend students enrol in ESL101 in their first semester of study. (NB: This should be reviewed in July 2003);
3. A grade of "G" in English in the final year of the Swedish Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan > 1997 Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate;
4. Grade of "9" in English in the final year of the Danish Studentereksamen.

7.             Completion of Netherlands-Dutch Diploma of Pre-University education – VWO / HAVO with grade of 7 or higher.

 8.            Australian TAFE Studies – completion of an AQF Certificate IV or higher AQF qualification. 

 9.           Completion of the University of NSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C grade in English for all programs except Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Medicine;

1. The Bachelor of Laws requires a B grade in English and the Bachelor of Medicine requires an A grade in English.

10.          Completion of a one year full time equivalent Tertiary Preparation/Bridging Program as listed in the UAC Tertiary Preparation Schedules.

11.           DAAD test – (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst) – pass with a B in all 4 sections.

12.           PSB CEP Level 5 (Advanced) English program: applicants must achieve the minimum requirements as set out below

a.    HP - Higher level pass for most postgraduate coursework programs - Students must obtain 65% or more in three of the four examinations. Only one exam may be in the 60-64% range. Each of the four exams is of equal weighting.

b.    EP - Undergraduate entry pass - Students must obtain 60% or more in each of the four examinations. Each of the four exams is of equal weighting.

B. For research higher degree programs

1.             C Pass in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.

2.             Completion of the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate.

Note 1: Specific list of A level subjects:

• Ancient History/Classical Studies
• Archaeology
• Business Studies
• Communication Studies
• Economics
• English
• English Language/English Literature
• Drama and Theatre
• General Studies
• Geography
• Government and Politics
• History
• History of Art
• Law
• Media Studies
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Social Policies
• Sociology
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[i] New grades were introduced in November 2011 for the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course in the Higher Pass (HP) category. The new grades equate to previous, as follows:

[Note re section 4.2.1 ii c]  This list reflects the list of countries identified by UAC in determining language proficiency standards.