English language requirements

English is the language of instruction at Monash University. You need to demonstrate that you have a level of English which will allow you to engage fully in your education.

As well as meeting the minimum English language requirements, some courses have higher requirements. To find this information, check the Entry Requirements section for your preferred course in our find a course page.

International students applying to Monash must also meet the English language visa requirements set by the Department of Home Affairs, as these requirements differ from Monash.

Monash University does not accept competency-based qualifications or subjects as evidence of meeting English language requirements.

The English language requirements you must meet depend on your educational background.

English-speaking background

Non-English-speaking background

If you’ve completed six years of schooling at an English medium institution in an English-speaking country (including Australia) before the age of 19, you can meet the English language requirements in one of the following ways.

Secondary schooling

You can meet the English language requirements if you have one of the following:

• a study score of 25 in units 3 and 4 of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English, VCE Literature, or VCE English Language
• a study score of 25 in units 3 and 4 of VCE English as an Additional Language (EAL) – applicable for the 2026 and 2027 intakes only, or
• an equivalent result in an equivalent English subject in a senior secondary qualification or foundation program, as specified in the study credit and admissions eligibility search. If your qualification is not listed, the English subject you have completed will be assessed by Monash when you apply.

Tertiary study (including VET and higher education)

You can meet the English language requirements if you have successfully completed one of the following:

• the equivalent of a completed Australian VET Certificate IV course (AQF Level 4) that was taught and assessed in English and approved by Monash University
• at least half a year of full-time study in an English medium institution (equivalent to 24 Monash credit points) at Australian VET diploma level (AQF Level 5) or equivalent (or higher)
• at least two units (equivalent to 12 credit points) of higher education study in an English medium institution – one of which must be an English-rich unit, or
• an Australian masters by research or doctoral degree, or equivalent, from an English medium institution.

English test

If you don’t meet the English language requirement for a course (but you meet all other entry requirements), reach out to your faculty to discuss your options.

You may be asked to meet the course English language requirement by completing an internal assessment or one of the following English tests, with the approval of the faculty dean (or a nominee):

• IELTS (Academic)
• IELTS (Academic) UKVI
• IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic)
• IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic) UKVI
• IELTS Online (Academic)
• TOEFL iBT
• TOEFL Essentials
• Pearson Test of English (Academic)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) UKVI
• C1 Advanced (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English)
• C2 Proficiency (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• LanguageCert Academic
• STAT Written English

If you can’t demonstrate that you have completed six years of schooling at an English medium institution in an English-speaking country before the age of 19, you can meet the English language requirements in one of the following ways.

Secondary schooling

• a study score of 25 in units 3 and 4 of Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English, VCE Literature, or VCE English Language
• a study score of 25 in units 3 and 4 of VCE English as an Additional Language (EAL) – applicable for the 2026 and 2027 intakes only, or
• an equivalent result in an equivalent English subject in a senior secondary qualification or foundation program, as specified in the study credit and admissions eligibility search. If your qualification is not listed, the English subject you have completed will be assessed by Monash when you apply.

Tertiary study (including VET and higher education)

• at least half a year of full-time study in an English medium institution (equivalent to at least 24 Monash credit points) at Australian VET diploma level (AQF Level 5) or equivalent (or higher), or
• an Australian masters by research or doctoral degree, or equivalent, from an English medium institution.

English test

If you don't meet the English language requirements for a course (but you meet all other entry requirements), the most common way to demonstrate your English proficiency is to achieve the required score in one of the following English tests:

• IELTS (Academic)
• IELTS (Academic) UKVI
• IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic)
• IELTS One Skill Retake (Academic) UKVI
• IELTS Online (Academic)
• TOEFL iBT
• TOEFL Essentials
• Pearson Test of English (Academic)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) UKVI
• C1 Advanced (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English)
• C2 Proficiency (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• LanguageCert Academic
• AEMG English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Direct Entry Program (DEP) (accepted for the 2026 intake only)

Other English tests may also be accepted and are assessed when you apply to Monash.

Minimum English test score requirements

Time limits

Time limits only apply if you can’t demonstrate that you have completed at least six years of schooling at an English medium institution in an English-speaking country (including Australia) before the age of 19. A time limit means that the English language measure must have been completed within three years before the course commencement date.

If you can demonstrate that you‘ve been living and working in Australia since completing your qualification, you may be eligible for an extension to this time limit.

If you‘ve completed multiple English language measures within the applicable time limit, the highest result will be accepted.

Living and working in an English-speaking country

There are some situations where you may have completed a qualification at an English medium institution or an English test more than three years ago, but have been living and working in an English-speaking country (including Australia) since.

In these cases,you may be able to demonstrate your English proficiency and extend the time limits applied to your qualification or English test.

Generally, you’ll need to provide evidence to show that you have been living and working in an English-speaking environment. This may include either:

• a reference or statement from a person with standing in the community (such as a school principal, doctor, or lawyer), or
• a work reference letter from your workplace, on their official letterhead.

These references or statements should confirm that you have been living or working in an English-speaking country (including Australia) in the past three years, and have demonstrated a good working knowledge of English.

If you have any questions about this, contact our admissions team.

Monash English

International students who do not meet the English language requirement based on their English test results (but meet all other entry requirements) may want to consider completing Monash English.

Domestic students who have not satisfied the English language requirements (but meet all other entry requirements) will require approval from the dean of the degree faculty (or nominee) to complete Monash English.

Other study programs at Monash

Single units and non-award study

To enrol in single units or a non-award study program (including exchange and study abroad), you must meet the University's minimum English language requirements; see: 3.4 – Minimum English language requirements for entry to Monash courses and units (pdf, 0.58 mb).

Approved non-award enabling programs

For minimum English language requirements for approved enabling programs, see: 3.5 – Minimum English language requirements for non-award enabling programs (pdf, 0.58 mb).

Procedure

For more information on English language requirements, please refer to the Admission to Coursework Courses and Units Procedure 3: Minimum English language requirements (pdf, 0.58 mb).

English medium institution

An English medium institution is where English is the language of instruction, communication and assessment for all aspects of study for the whole of the educational institution.

To confirm that English was the language of instruction where you completed study, you may need to submit an official letter, issued and signed by the institution’s registrar (or other authorised person of the institution).