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Update of English Proficiency Requirements

Former policy

Sound English language skills are required for academic programs at Monash. If an applicant’s first language is not English, the English language requirement must be satisfied in one or more of the following ways:

  • An overall band score of not less than 6.5 on the IELTS test conducted by IDP and the British Council. In addition, a score of at least 6.0 is required for each band score and applicants must undertake the academic module in regard to reading and writing. In the faculties of Arts and Law, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 is required (7.0 on writing module). In the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with individual band scores of 6.5 is required. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.ielts.org.
  • The following scores achieved in the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
    • a minimum total score of 577 together with a score of 5 or more on the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE) (paper based score);
    • a minimum total score of 233 together with a score of 5 or more on the Essay Rating (ER) (computer-based score); or
    • a minimum total score of 91 (internet based score) together with a minimum score of 25 in the written test and a minimum score of 22 in each of the reading, speaking and listening tests.

Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.toefl.org. In the faculties of Arts and Law and the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, a minimum total score of 600 and a score of 5.0 or more in the TWE (paper based), a minimum total score 250 together with a score of 5.0 or more in the ER (computer-based score), or a minimum total score of 100 with a minimum score of 25 in each of the written, reading, speaking and listening tests (internet based test).

  • Successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years’ duration conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work, in a country where English is the official language. Evidence in the form of a letter or certificate issued by the university Registrar’s office will need to be provided. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application. In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two year period prior to application. Where studies have been conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work in a country where English is one of two or more official languages of that country, a case may be made to the Monash Research Graduate School Committee by the relevant department/faculty. The World Factbook located at www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ lists the official languages of all countries.
  • Successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years’ duration at Monash’s Malaysia or South Africa campus, or an equivalent Malaysian tertiary education campus recognised by Monash University. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application. In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two year period prior to application.
  • An overall IELTS score of 6.0 (writing score of 6.0); or a paper based TOEFL score of 550 with a TWE of 4.5 (computer- based TOEFL score of 213 with an ER of 4.5; or internet based TOEFL score of 79 with a minimum score of 22 in the written test and a minimum score of 19 in the listening, reading and speaking tests), together with successful completion of the 10-week Monash University English Language Bridging Program (ELBP). Applicants will not be admitted to candidature until they have successfully completed the ELBP. Some faculties do not admit candidates under this criterion. Scholarship applicants must have evidence of successful completion of the 10-week ELBP by the closing date for scholarships to be eligible.

Full documentary evidence in support of English proficiency must be submitted with applications for candidature. Where an applicant’s first language is not English or where degree qualifications were not undertaken in the English language, Monash reserves the right to seek further documentary evidence of English proficiency.

Note: The English language requirements outlined above are the University's minimum requirements for admission to a research degree. Recent changes to visa regulations require applicants from assessment level countries 3 and 4 to provide a satisfactory IELTS test score when applying for a student visa. Relevant links to IELTS and TOEFL websites are provided in chapter 11 of this handbook.

Revised Policy

Additional proficiency requirements have been added for the Faculty of Business and Economics. The changes are highlighted in italics below.

Sound English language skills are required for academic programs at Monash. If an applicant’s first language is not English, the English language requirement must be satisfied in one or more of the following ways:

  • An overall band score of not less than 6.5 on the IELTS test conducted by IDP and the British Council. In addition, a score of at least 6.0 is required for each band score and applicants must undertake the academic module in regard to reading and writing. In the faculties of Arts and Law, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 is required (7.0 on writing module). In the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with individual band scores of 6.5 is required. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.ielts.org.
  • The following scores achieved in the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): a minimum total score of 577 together with a score of 5 or more on the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE) (paper based score); a minimum total score of 233 together with a score of 5 or more on the Essay Rating (ER) (computer-based score); or a minimum total score of 91 (internet based score) together with a minimum score of 25 in the written test and a minimum score of 22 in each of the reading, speaking and listening tests. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.toefl.org. In the faculties of Arts, Business and Economics, Law and the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, a minimum total score of 600 and a score of 5.0 or more in the TWE (paper based), a minimum total score 250 together with a score of 5.0 or more in the ER (computer-based score), or a minimum total score of 100 with a minimum score of 25 in each of the written, reading, speaking and listening tests (internet based test).
  • Successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years’ duration conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work, in a country where English is the official language. Evidence in the form of a letter or certificate issued by the university Registrar’s office will need to be provided. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application. In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two year period prior to application. Where studies have been conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work in a country where English is one of two or more official languages of that country, a case may be made to the Monash Research Graduate School Committee by the relevant department/faculty. The World Factbook located at www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/ lists the official languages of all countries.
  • Successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years’ duration at Monash’s Malaysia or South Africa campus, or an equivalent Malaysian tertiary education campus recognised by Monash University. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application. In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two year period prior to application.
  • An overall IELTS score of 6.0 (writing score of 6.0); or a paper based TOEFL score of 550 with a TWE of 4.5 (computer- based TOEFL score of 213 with an ER of 4.5; or internet based TOEFL score of 79 with a minimum score of 22 in the written test and a minimum score of 19 in the listening, reading and speaking tests), together with successful completion of the 10-week Monash University English Language Bridging Program (ELBP). Applicants will not be admitted to candidature until they have successfully completed the ELBP. Some faculties do not admit candidates under this criterion. Scholarship applicants must have evidence of successful completion of the 10-week ELBP by the closing date for scholarships to be eligible.

Full documentary evidence in support of English proficiency must be submitted with applications for candidature. Where an applicant’s first language is not English or where degree qualifications were not undertaken in the English language, Monash reserves the right to seek further documentary evidence of English proficiency.

Note: The English language requirements outlined above are the University's minimum requirements for admission to a research degree. Recent changes to visa regulations require applicants from assessment level countries 3 and 4 to provide a satisfactory IELTS test score when applying for a student visa. Relevant links to IELTS and TOEFL websites are provided in chapter 11 of this handbook.