AIM IELTS Requirement: 6.0 Undergraduate, 6.5 Postgraduate

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026

AIM English scores

From AIM's international entry requirements page, which says meeting the English requirement is mandatory before admission.

Test	Undergraduate	Postgraduate
IELTS Academic	6.0, no band below 5.5	6.5, no band below 6.0
PTE Academic	50, no band below 42	58, no band below 50
TOEFL iBT (new scale)	3.5 (R3.5 L3 S3 W3)	4 (R3.5 L3.5 S3.5 W4)
Cambridge C1 Advanced	169	179
LanguageCert Academic	65, no component below 60	70, no component below 65
Michigan English Test	53, no band below 49	58, no band below 53
CELPIP General	7	8

EAP pathways and exemptions

You can complete an approved English for Academic Purposes course instead. AIM lists partners in Sydney (Greenwich English, ILSC, Sunshine Coast, Universal English College) and Melbourne (Discover English, Greenwich English, Explore English, ILSC) with the level and grade needed for undergraduate and postgraduate entry.

Applicants born in, or citizens of, an English-speaking country who completed a recognised Australian Year 12 or AQF4+ qualification in English are deemed to meet the requirement. Duolingo is not listed, and the page does not state a validity period.

Free test: are you at AIM's score yet?

Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.

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Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.

Auditions and how to check

English is only one part of entry: the Bachelor of Music and Music Theatre ask for an interview, live audition or portfolio, and the Master of Music asks for an interview or audition plus a portfolio of two contrasting pieces.

Requirements vary by course and can change between intakes. The score that binds you is the one on your AIM course page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test. Your student visa is assessed separately, under the Department of Home Affairs Student visa (subclass 500) rules.

Minimum vs competitive score

Where the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.

Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.

If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.

Frequently asked questions

What IELTS does AIM need for the Bachelor of Music?+

IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, as for all undergraduate courses.

What IELTS does AIM need for the Master of Music?+

6.5 with no band below 6.0, or PTE Academic 58 with no band below 50.

Does AIM accept Duolingo?+

Duolingo is not listed. AIM lists IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge, CELPIP, LanguageCert and Michigan.

Can I enter AIM through an English course?+

Yes, by completing an approved EAP course with a listed partner at the required level and grade.

Keep reading

Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

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