Entry and language requirements
Learn more about the minimum academic and English language entry requirements for our courses.
We have minimum entry and language requirements for undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate research study at La Trobe University. However, some La Trobe courses need a higher level of English language proficiency and academic requirements. Our course pages list the required minimum entry requirements, English levels and accepted test methods needed for entry.
We may also consider other factors when assessing if you meet the language requirements for your course, such as whether you’ve studied or worked in an English-speaking country. Learn more about other ways to meet our English language standards.
We’ve put together this guide to the minimum academic and English language entry requirements that apply for your preferred course.
Accepted alternatives to IELTS test scores
While IELTS scores are our primary measure of English proficiency, we may accept tests other than IELTS if your overall score is the equivalent of the required IELTS score.
Once you know your course’s minimum accepted IELTS score, check that score against the information below to see its equivalent score in other English proficiency tests.
International English Language Test (IELTS) Academic | IELTS Overall 6.0, no band less than 6.0 | IELTS Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0 | IELTS Overall 7.0, no band less than 6.5 | IELTS Overall 7.0, no band less than 7.0 | IELTS Overall 7.5, no band less than 7.0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom Visa and Immigration International English Language Test (IELTS) | IELTS Overall 6.0, no band less than 6.0 | IELTS Overall 6.5, no band less than 6.0 | IELTS Overall 7.0, no band less than 6.5 | NA | IELTS Overall 7.5, no band less than 7.0 |
Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE) | Overall score of 50 with no communicative skill score less than 50 | Overall score of 58 with no communicative skill score less than 50 | Overall score of 65 with no communicative skill score less than 58 | Overall score of 65 with no communicative skill score less than 65 | Overall score of 73 with no communicative skill score less than 65 |
TOEFL Internet based (iBT) – TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted for Australian visa and migration purposes | Overall score of 64 with 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing | Overall score of 79 with 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing | Overall score of 94 with 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing | Overall 98 with 24 in Reading, 24 in Listening, 23 in Speaking and 27 in Writing | Overall 102 with 24 in Reading, 24 in Listening, 23 in Speaking and 27 in Writing |
Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) / Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) | 169 with no less than 169 in any component | 176 with no less than 169 in any component | 185 with no less than 176 in any component | NA | 191 with no less than 185 in any component |
Note: Not all courses accept alternative English tests. Please check courses with specific English test requirement.
Demonstrating your minimum English requirements
When it comes to demonstrating your minimum English requirements, a few important things to note:
- we use IELTS (Academic) and other English proficiency tests for entry into our courses
- where you have results from more than one of these English language tests, only your most recent single achievement will be considered in our admission decision
- if you qualify from a La Trobe program and intend to gain professional registration to become a practitioner in Australia, you may need to meet the relevant professional accrediting agency’s English language registration standard
- your evidence demonstrating English language proficiency must be no older than two years, unless stated otherwise
- we reserve the right to require that any applicant undergo an English language test
- you’ll still need to meet the academic entry requirements of your course. Specific requirements may differ between degree programs, so check our courses page for details.
Don't meet the minimum language requirements?
La Trobe College Australia provides English language training for students requiring it before they commence tertiary study in Australia.
Courses with specific English test requirements
At an undergraduate level we offer:
- Diploma programs
- Bachelor’s degrees.
To enter our undergraduate programs, at a minimum you’ll need to have completed Australian Year 12 (or an accepted international equivalent) with a certain grade and minimum English language requirements. You may also need to meet subject prerequisites.
Some undergraduate courses also have specific English test requirements. These are:
Courses accepting IELTS test only
- Bachelor of Dental Science (Honours)
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Oral Health Science
- Bachelor of Orthoptics (Honours)
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)
- Bachelor of Podiatry (Honours)
- Bachelor of Prosthetics and Orthotics (Honours)
Courses accepting IELTS and TOEFL test only
- Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Honours)
Courses accepting IELTS, TOEFL and PTE test only
- Bachelor of Nursing
- Bachelor of Nursing (Enrolled Nurse Pathway)
- Bachelor of Nursing (Graduate Entry Pathway)
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
Learn more about specific entry requirements when you find your preferred undergraduate course.
For postgraduate coursework, we offer:
- Graduate Certificate programs
- Graduate Diploma programs
- Masters degrees by coursework.
To enter our postgraduate degree programs, at a minimum you’ll need to have completed an Australian Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) with certain grades. For some degrees, we may also consider prior learning that you’ve developed through relevant work experience or professional accreditation, if we deem it to be at least equivalent to the education you’d receive in a Bachelor’s degree.
Some postgraduate coursework programs also have specific English test requirements. These are:
Courses accepting IELTS test only
- Master of Education
Courses accepting IELTS and TOEFL test only
- Master of Dietetics
- Master of Speech Pathology
Courses accepting IELTS, TOEFL and PTE test only
- Master of Clinical Audiology
- Master of Clinical Psychology
- Master of Occupational Therapy Practice
- Master of Physiotherapy Practice
- Master of Social Work
For more information about specific entry requirements, find your preferred postgraduate course.
We offer three types of graduate research degrees, also known as higher degrees by research, depending on your goals and your educational and professional background.
If you’re looking to study a higher degree by research, we offer:
- Masters degrees by research
- Professional doctorates
- Doctors of Philosophy (PhDs).
Masters degree by research
In a Masters degree by research, you can investigate a topic of your choice through in-depth research. Undertake a supervised research project and submit a thesis that contributes relevant research into your chosen field.
Each Masters by research degree will have different entry requirements. Check its page on our course finder for details relevant to your chosen degree.
Professional doctorate
In a professional doctorate, you’ll pursue an independent and sustained investigation into a research problem of your own design.
To be eligible to apply for a professional doctorate, at a minimum you’ll need to have:
- a four-year degree or Master's degree completed in the last 10 years, with a weighted average mark of 65 or above in the final year
- eligibility for registration for professional practice in Australia
- at least two years professional practice.
Find out more about eligibility for a professional doctorate.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
In a PhD, you’ll pursue an independent and sustained investigation into a research problem of your own design.
To apply for PhD candidature, at a minimum you’ll need either:
- an Australian Masters by research degree in a relevant discipline, completed in the last 10 years and assessed at a research standard of 70 or above
- an Australian Bachelor’s (Honours) degree, Masters by coursework or ungraded Masters by research degree completed in the last 10 years with a weighted average mark of 70 or above, as well as proven research capabilities.
Find out more about eligibility for a La Trobe Doctor of Philosophy.
Have a question? We can help
FAQs
All international applicants must meet the Department of Home Affairs Genuine Student requirement as part of the student visa assessment process. To satisfy Genuine Student (GS) requirements you need to demonstrate that studying in Australia is your primary reason for applying for a student visa, through evidence of genuine access to funds or financial support, ongoing links to your home country and explaining why you have chosen to study your selected course at La Trobe University.
If you need to complete this assessment as part of your admission process, our team will include the “GS and Financial check” condition in your offer letter. You won’t be able to accept your offer to study at La Trobe until the GS and financial assessment is completed, and we remove the conditions from your offer letter.
Download La Trobe’s GS assessment requirements [PDF 109.7 KB].
You can find more information on required documentation for GS assessment on the Home Affairs website under Step 2: Gather your documents.
If you wish to discuss your circumstances or have any questions about the requirements, you can discuss them with your agent or contact us at StudyInternational@latrobe.edu.au and provide your full name and La Trobe student ID or application number.