UC English test equivalents
From the equivalence table on UC's English language requirements page. Section minimums are in brackets (R reading, L listening, S speaking, W writing). TOEFL means TOEFL iBT for Australia; UC does not accept the global TOEFL iBT with 1–6 band scores.
| UC level | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard undergraduate degree | 6.0 (6.0 in all) | 50 (R 48, L 47, S 54, W 51) | 67 (R, L 16; S, W 19) | 105 (R 110, L 105, S 110, W 110) |
| Standard postgraduate degree | 6.5 (6.0 in all) | 58 (R 48, L 47, S 54, W 51) | 81 (R, L 16; S, W 19) | 120 (R 110, L 105, S 110, W 110) |
| Courses at 7.0, no band below 6.5 | 7.0 (6.5 in all) | 65 (R 54, L 53, S 66, W 60) | 94 (R, L, S 20; W 24) | 130 (R 120, L 115, S 120, W 130) |
| Courses at 7.0, no band below 7.0 | 7.0 (7.0 in all) | 65 (R 59, L 58, S 76, W 69) | 94 (R, L 25; S 23; W 27) | 130 (R 130, L 125, S 130, W 145) |
| Courses at 7.5, no band below 7.0 | 7.5 (7.0 in all) | 73 (R 59, L 58, S 76, W 69) | 102 (R, L 24; S 23; W 27) | 140 (R 130, L 125, S 130, W 145) |
Scores on UC course pages
Read today on the 2026 course pages: the Bachelor of Information Technology needs 6.0 with no band below 6.0. The Master of Business Administration, Master of Information Technology and Systems, Master of Data Science, Master of Professional Accounting and Bachelor of Laws need 6.5 with no band below 6.0.
The Bachelor of Nursing needs IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, PTE 66 (56 in writing) or TOEFL 94, from one sitting or two within 12 months. The Bachelor of Primary Education and the Master of Primary Teaching need 7.5 with 8.0 in speaking and listening and no band below 7.0; for the Master of Primary Teaching the only alternatives to IELTS are ISLPR (4 in all areas) and PEAT (A in all areas). The Bachelor of Physiotherapy needs 7.0 in every band.
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Take a free scored IELTS mock →Duolingo, validity and UC College
UC accepts Duolingo only from applicants eligible for streamlined student visa applications, and notes it cannot be used to meet the student visa English requirement. In line with Home Affairs, UC does not accept any English test delivered completely online. IELTS figures include IELTS UKVI (Academic); IELTS One Skill Retake is not stated by UC.
Test results over two years old are not accepted. If your score is short, University of Canberra College runs ELICOS, diplomas and the International Foundation Program, and completing a UCC pathway meets UC's English requirement for most undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Requirements vary by course, and UC can change them between intakes. Always confirm the score on your course page before you book a test. Your student visa has its own English rules, set by the Department of Home Affairs.
Student visa (subclass 500) English rules
Your offer and your visa are assessed separately. If Home Affairs asks you for English evidence, the Student visa (subclass 500) page sets these minimums for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025: IELTS Academic 6.0, PTE Academic 47 or TOEFL iBT 67. With at least 10 weeks of ELICOS (or a Foundation or eligible Pathway program) packaged with your course they drop to 5.5, 39 and 51, and with at least 20 weeks of ELICOS to 5.0, 31 and 37.
The test must be taken within the 2 years before you lodge (Regular Evidence level), or within the 2 years before a decision if you are Streamlined Evidence level and asked for evidence. Tests delivered entirely online, such as IELTS Online and TOEFL iBT Home Edition, are not accepted for the visa, and from 21 January 2026 TOEFL candidates must select 'Taking TOEFL for Australia' when registering.
Frequently asked questions
What PTE score does the University of Canberra need?+
PTE Academic 50 for standard undergraduate degrees and 58 for standard postgraduate degrees, each with reading 48, listening 47, speaking 54 and writing 51.
Does the University of Canberra accept Duolingo?+
Only for applicants eligible for streamlined student visa applications. The standard scores are 105 for undergraduate and 120 for postgraduate degrees.
What IELTS do I need for a master's at UC?+
IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for standard postgraduate degrees, including the MBA and Master of Information Technology and Systems.
Does UC accept IELTS Online?+
No. UC does not accept any English language test delivered completely online, also known as remote-proctored or at-home tests.
What IELTS does the University of Canberra need for nursing?+
IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing, or PTE 66 with 56 in writing.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for Australia: scores by university and visa
- IELTS for the Student visa 500
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- ANU IELTS requirement
- All 711 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 6 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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