English Requirements
English is the language of instruction and assessment at CQUniversity. It is important that you understand what English language requirements you'll need to meet to be offered a place to study at CQUniversity.
The following information will help you understand the requirements for courses in all levels, as well as other ways to meet the English language requirements for entry to your desired academic course.
CQUniversity English Language Study
If you do not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements for your academic course, you can study an English language course offered by our CQUEnglish Language Centres located on the Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney campuses. Over 90% of our English students successfully transitioned to academic study.
English Tests
We recognise a number of English tests which can be taken to meet our English language proficiency requirements.
The English Language Proficiency Requirements table below provides the minimum scores required for most of our courses. Some courses require higher scores. Please refer to the CQUniversity handbook or Variations Listing at the bottom of the page for a list of courses with variations to the standard English language requirements.
Your English test results are valid if no more than two years have lapsed between the final examination result date and the date of commencement of study. Every student will be assessed individually, and other equivalent English preparation or combinations of English preparation will be considered.
Previous Study and Other Qualifications
If you have successfully completed previous study where the language of instruction was English at a university or post-secondary school, or have an academic qualification that meets the English language proficiency requirements within the last five years, you may be deemed to have met the minimum English language proficiency requirements.
The Previous Study and Other Qualifications table below provides alternative international qualifications accepted as meeting our English language requirements.
You will be required to provide certified documentation to verify any of the above circumstances, including the entry testing for English language studies. If you are unable to meet the above criteria, you can study an English language course for free at one of our CQUEnglish Language Centres in Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney.
Prior English Language Studies
If you have completed an English language course with one of CQUniversity's approved Recognised English Entry Providers (REEP) you may not need to sit for an English test. Visit our External Providers page for a list of our approved partners.
Variations Listing for International Students
Please note variations to standard English language requirements may apply, especially for courses that require higher levels of English proficiency. The following courses are available to international students and have variations to standard requirements outlined in our English Language Proficiency Requirements table.
Allied Health
- CB77 – Bachelor of Science (Chiropractic) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0.
- CB29 – Bachelor of Oral Health – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0.
- CB84 – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0; or an Occupational English Test (OET) result of A or B.
- CB85 – Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0; or an Occupational English Test (OET) result of A or B.
- CB86 – Bachelor of Podiatry Practice (Honours) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0; or an Occupational English Test (OET) result of A or B.
- CB87 – Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 8.0 with no individual band score of less than 8.0; or An Occupational English Test (OET) with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
- CG93 – Bachelor of Medical Science – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score of less than 6.0 for Reading and Writing and 6.0 for Speaking and Listening; or an Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
- CL10 – Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Honours) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0; a TOEFL overall score of 79 with no score less than 21; a PTE overall score of 62 with no score less than 54; or an Occupational English Test with Grades A or B only in each of the four components.
Business and Accounting
- CC51 – Graduate Certificate in Business Administration – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
- CC52 – Graduate Diploma of Business Administration – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
- CL20 – Master of Business Administration – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
- CL39 – Master of Business Administration (Leadership) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score of less than 5.5.
- CH76 – Graduate Certificate in Management – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0 (for students seeking entry into the Master of Business Administration).
Education and Teaching
The English language requirements for registration as a teacher are:
An IELTS (Academic) assessment with an average band score of 7.5 across all four skill areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing – with no score below 7.0 in any of the four skill areas and a score of no less than 8 in speaking and listening.
Engineering, Built Environment and Aviation
- CC31 – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
- CC32 – Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op Engineering) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
- CV82 – Master of Engineering – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score of less than 5.5.
- CL09 – Bachelor of Aviation (Airline and Airport Operations) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual band score of less than 5.5; or an Occupational English Test (OET) with Grades A or B in each of the four components.
Nursing and Health
- CG85 – Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Sciences – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0.
- CL91 – Bachelor of Nursing – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0; or Occupational English Test (OET) result with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking); or PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills; or TOEFL IBT with a minimum total score of 94 with a minimum score of 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking.
Psychology and Social Work
- CL90 – Master of Social Work (Qualifying) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 7.0 with no individual band score of less than 7.0 (as per Australian Social Work Education and Accreditation Standards).
Research
- CL58 – Graduate Certificate in Research – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
- CL80 – Master of Research and CD85 – Master of Research (Offshore) – Minimum academic IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band score of less than 6.0.
