English Proficiency Policy

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 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

TWE means Test of Written English

TOEFL means Test of English as a Foreign Language

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.

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 DVC (Academic and Global Relations) when an applicant can provide evidence that he/she has spent a significant proportion of the period since successfully completing the course, living/working in a country whose national language is English.

4.2.3.       A pass at the required level in one of the following qualifications, completed no longer than 2 years prior to the submission of the application to study at the University of Newcastle.

1. TOEFL Paper-based or Internet
   1. Applicants for International Foundation:
      • a paper-based test score of 500 or more with a minimum score of 4.0 in the TWE; or
      • an internet test overall score of 71 with a minimum score of 16 in writing
   2. Applicants for undergraduate coursework programs except for those programs listed in Schedule 1:
      • paper-based test score of 525 or more with a minimum score of 4.0 in the TWE; or
      • an internet test overall score of 80 with no subtest score less than 20. 
   3. Applicants for postgraduate coursework programs:
      • a paper-based test score of 550 or more with a minimum score of 4.5 in the TWE; or
      • an internet test overall score of 93 with no subtest score less than 21.
   4. Research higher degree applicants:
      • a paper-based test score of 575 or more with a TWE rating of 4.5; or
      • an internet test overall score of 93 with no subtest score less than 21.
2. IELTS
   1. Applicants for International Foundation:
      • a score of 5.5 overall, with no sub-test band less than 5.0 in the Academic Module.
   2. Applicants for undergraduate coursework programs except for those programs listed in Schedule 1:
      • a score of 6.0 overall, with no sub-test band less than 6.0 in the Academic Module.
   3. Applicants for postgraduate coursework or research higher degree programs:
      • a score of 6.5 or higher with no individual sub-test score less than 6.0 in the Academic Module.
3. University of Newcastle ELICOS Program
   1. Applicants for International Foundation must obtain 65 per cent or greater in 3 subtests, and at least 60-64 per cent in the other subtest of the Upper Intermediate exam.
   2. Applicants for degree programs at the University of Newcastle must successfully complete the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program or the EAP 2 exam as indicated:
      1. Applicants for undergraduate programs, an Undergraduate Entry Pass (EP), a score of 60 per cent with no subject score less than 60 per cent.
      2. Applicants for postgraduate coursework or research higher degree programs, a Higher Level Pass (HP) with a score of 65 per cent or more in three of the four examinations; the score for one exam may be in the 60 – 64 per cent range.

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 and Global Relations) to demonstrate satisfactory English language proficiency.  Approved qualifications will be listed in Schedule 2  of this policy.

4.5.          The President of Academic Senate  or, in their absence, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Global Relations) or, in their absence, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) may waive the English language requirement in accordance with the English Language Proficiency Procedure.

4.6.         Where the English language requirements are waived by the President of Academic Senate, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Global Relations), 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

SCHEDULE 1

The following undergraduate programs have been granted an exemption from this policy by Academic Senate.

Approved English language proficiency scores for admissions are as follows:

Bachelor of Laws:

TOEFL

• a paper-based test score of 600 with a TWE rating of 4.5; or

• an internet test overall score of 101 with a minimum of 25 in writing.

IELTS

• a score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subtest.

Bachelor of Medicine:

TOEFL

• a paper-based test score of 600 with a TWE rating of 4.5; or

• an internet test overall score of 101 with a minimum of 25 in writing.

IELTS

• a score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subtest.

 

While the scores for admission to the following programs are under review, the currently approved scores for this group are listed below.

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Diagnostic Radiography )- under consideration

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) - under consideration

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Nuclear Medicine) -– under consideration

Bachelor of Nursing - under consideration

Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics - under consideration

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy - under consideration

Bachelor of Oral Health - under consideration

Bachelor of Podiatry - under consideration

Bachelor of Physiotherapy - under consideration.

Master of Pharmacy – under consideration

TOEFL

• a paper-based test score of 550 with a minimum TWE rating of 4.5; or

• an internet-based score of 90 with no sub-test score less than 20.

IELTS

• a score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subtest.

SCHEDULE 2 - ENGLISH PROFICIENCY POLICY

Other qualifications deemed satisfactory for admission

A.        For undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs

1.             Completion of International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum requirement of English A2 at the higher level.

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.             Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) - score of 70.

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

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

9.             Successful completion of the University’s Open Foundation program.

10.           Successful completion of the University’s Newstep program.

11.            Successful completion of the University’s Foundation Certificate, Unipath or International Foundation program.

12.           Australian TAFE Studies – completion of an AQF Certificate III or higher AQF qualification.

13.           Completion of the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate.

14.           Completion of the TAFE English for Academic Purposes - AQF Certificate 1V.

15.           Completion of the University of NSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C grade in English;

16.           (In addition the Bachelor of Laws requires a B grade in English and the Bachelor of Medicine requires an A grade in English).

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

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

B. For research higher degree programs

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

2.             *Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) - score of 70;

3.              Completion of the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate.

4.              Completion of the TAFE English for Academic Purposes - AQF Certificate 1V.

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