English Language Proficiency Policy

Document Number000104
Date Approved3 October 2007

The University has approved amendments to the English Language Proficiency requirements for its undergraduate programs. Please note that the provisions  in relation to waivers are under review and will be incorporated in a Procedure document when finalised. 

1.      Introduction

The University is committed to offering its educational programs to students from a broad range of backgrounds, cultures and languages. In doing so, it recognises its responsibility to ensure that students, whose first language is not English, have the skill and proficiency to undertake the program of their choice.

Applicants for admission to a University of Newcastle undergraduate or postgraduate program, whose first language is not English, must satisfy the University’s English proficiency requirements. This policy provides the basis on which applicants will be assessed for English proficiency and offered entry to a program. The setting and promulgation of English language requirements is in keeping with the expectations of the Code of Practice and Guidelines for Australian Universities on the Provision of Education to International Students.

2.      Policy intent

The purpose of the policy is to set the standard of English proficiency required for admission to the University, in an applicant whose first language is not English.

3.      Relevant definitions

IELTS

International English Language Testing System

TWE

Test of Written English

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language

4.      Policy

4.1.     An applicant for a place at the University of Newcastle who does not speak English as a first language must satisfy one of the following English language requirements.

4.1.1.       A pass at the required level in one of the following qualifications, completed no longer than two years prior to the submission of the application to study at the University of Newcastle.

TOEFL

i.          Applicants for undergraduate programs except for those listed in Scedule 1 as exempt from this proviison:

o                a paper-based test score of 525 or more with a minimum score of 4.0 in the TWE; or

o                a computer-based test  score of 203 or more with a minimum score of 4.0 Essay Rating; or

o                an internet test overall score of 80 with no subtest score less than 20.

ii.          Applicants for postgraduarte coursework programs:

o                a paper-based test score of 550 or more with a minimum score of 4.5 in the TWE; or

o                a computer-based test  score of 213 or more with a minimum score of 4.5 Essay Rating; or

o                an internet test overall score of 90 with no subtest score less than 20.

iii.         Research higher degree applicants:

o                a paper-based test score of 575 or more with a TWE rating of 4.5; or

o                a computer-based test  score of 232 or more with a minimum 4.5 Essay Rating. .

IELTS

i.          Applicants for undergraduate programs except for those programs listed in Schedule 1 as exempt from this provision:

           o        a score of 6.0 overall with no sub-test band less than 6.0.

ii.          Applicants for postgraduate coursework or research higher degree programs :

o        a score of 6.5 or higher with no individual sub-test score less than 6.0 in the Academic Module.

Universityof NewcastleELICOS Program

i.          Applicants for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs and research higher degrees, successful completion of the University’s ELICOS programme at a Higher Pass level.

o        applicants for undergraduate programs, a score of 60 per cent with no subject score less than 60%;

o        applicants for postgraduate coursework programs, a score of 65 per cent or more in three or four examinations; the score for one exam may be in the 60% - 64% range;

o        applicants for a research higher degree, an overall score of 65%.

4.1.2.       Successful completion of one or more years of full-time study at higher education level in a country where:

i.          English is the first language and was the medium of instruction; and where

ii.          the study was completed no longer than two years prior to the submission of the application to study at the University of Newcastle.

4.1.3.       Other qualifications deemed equivalent to the qualifications in paragraph 4.1.1, as determined from time to time by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, International (see attached Schedule 2).

4.2.     The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or the President of Academic Senate may waive the English language requirement for:

i.               an applicant (other than an applicant for a research higher degree) who has successfully completed at least two years secondary education conducted and examined in English, in a non English-speaking country, or at least two years documented professional work experience carried out in the medium of English and  undertaken within two years of the submission of the application to study at the University of Newcastle;

ii.             an applicant who has successfully completed at least two years tertiary education conducted and examined in English in a non English-speaking country, undertaken within two years of the submission of the application to study at the University of Newcastle;

iii.            an applicant who has successfully completed an undergraduate program of three years or more or a postgraduate program of two years or more:

a.                   in an English-speaking country, and

b.                   at a university where the sole language of instruction is English; and

c.                   provided the program was completed: (i) within the ten years prior to the commencement of theUniversity of Newcastle program, or (ii) within two years of the commencement of the proposed program at the University of Newcastle if the application is for a research higher degree

4.3.     The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) or the President of Academic Senate, on the recommendation of the Director English Language Foundation Studies, may waive the time requirements set out in 4.1 or 4.2 on a case by case basis, on demonstration that a candidate meets the English requirements at a level equivalent to those set out in 4.1.1.

4.4.     The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or the President of Academic Senate may waive the English language requirements for an applicant for a research higher degree, on the recommendation of the appropriate Head of School, where:

i.         the applicant has been working in, or has been closely associated with the School for, a period of at least six months; and

ii.       the supervisor provides evidence that the applicant’s oral and written command of English is sufficient to allow completion of the candidature in the normal time.

4.5.     Where the English language requirements are waived by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) or the President of Academic Senate, conditions may be imposed to require the applicant to provide evidence of attaining the stated proficiency level by the end of the first semester of enrolment

Schedule 1 - Exemptions from the English language Proficiency Policy

The following undergraduate programs have been granted an exemption from the provisions listed in this policy by Academic Senate on the bais of their meeting the folloiwng standards. 

Approved English language proficiency scores for admission are as follows:

1. Bachelor of Diagnostic Radiography (under consideration)

2. Bachelor of Laws:

TOEFL:

* a paper-based test score of 600 with a TWE rating of 4.5: or

* a computer-based test score of 250 with a minimum 4.5 Essay rating.

IELTS

* a score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subtest.

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (under consideration)

Bachelor of Medicine:

TOEFL:

* a paper-based test score of 600 with a TWE rating of 4.5; or

* a computer-based test score of 250 with aminimum 4.5 Essay Rating.

IELTS:

* a score of 7.0 with aminimum of 6.0 in each sutest.

Bachelor of Nuclear Medicine (under consideration)

Bachelor of Nursing (under consideration)

Bachelor of Nutrition & Dietetics (under consideration)

Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (under consideration)

Bachelor of Oral Health (under consideration)

Bachelor of Podiatry (under consideration)

bachelor of Physiotherapy (under consideration)

bachelor of Radiation Therapy (under consideration)

Schedule 2 : English Proficiency Policy - Other qualifications deemed satisfactory for admission

A. For undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs

1.       Completed International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum requirement of English A2 at the higher level;

  1. C Pass in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English;
  2. Great Britain General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) - GCE’A’ - C pass in General Paper English, or other Humanities subjects (see Note 1 for list);
  3. C Pass in the “Use of English” in Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination;
  4. C Pass in English 920, 914 STPM (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia-Malaysian Higher School Certificate);
  5. Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) - score of 70;
  6. Completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) with an overall score of 152;
  7. Pass in "English" at University, for students from Scandinavian countries who do not meet the following standards:
    1. Grade of "4" in English in the final year of the Norwegian Vitnemal: den Vidergaende Skole
    2. Grade of "3" in English in the final year of the Swedish Avgangsbetyg < 1997 Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate. Offer letters are to recommend students enrol in ESL101 in their first semester of study. (NB: This should be reviewed in July 2003);
    3. A grade of "G" in English in the final year of the Swedish Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan > 1997 Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate;
    4. Grade of "9" in English in the final year of the Danish Studentereksamen
  8. Grade of "4" in English in the final year of the Norwegian Vitnemal: den Vidergaende Skole

10.   Grade of "3" in English in the final year of the Swedish Avgangsbetyg < 1997 Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate. Offer letters are to recommend students enrol in ESL101 in their first semester of study. (NB: This should be reviewed in July 2003);

  1. A grade of "G" in English in the final year of the Swedish Slutbetyg fran Gymnasieskolan > 1997 Upper Secondary Leaving Certificate;
  2. Grade of "9" in English in the final year of the Danish Studentereksamen
  3. Successful completion of the University’s Open Foundation Course;
  4. Successful completion of the University’s Newstep program;
  5. Successful completion of the University’s Foundation Studies or UNIPATH Program;
  6. Australian TAFE Studies – completion of an Advanced Certificate or AQF Certificate 1V;
  7. Completion of the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate;
  8. Completion of the TAFE English for Academic Purposes - AQF Certificate 1V;
  9. Completion of the University of NSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C grade in English;
    (In addition the Bachelor of Laws requires a B grade in English and the Bachelor of Medicine requires an A grade in English);
  10. Completion of a one year full time equivalent Tertiary Preparation/Bridging Program as listed in the UAC Tertiary Preparation Schedules.

B. For research higher degree programs

  1. C Pass in the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English;
  2. *Combined Universities Language Test (CULT) - score of 70;
  3. Completion of the TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate;
  4. Completion of the TAFE English for Academic Purposes - AQF Certificate 1V;

1.       Specific list of A level subjects:

·         Ancient History/Classical Studies

·         Archaeology

·         Business Studies

·         Communication Studies

·         Economics

·         English

·         English Language/English Literature

·         Drama and Theatre

·         General Studies

·         Geography

·         Government and Politics

·         History

·         History of Art

·         Law

·         Media Studies

·         Philosophy

·         Religious Studies

·         Social Policies

·         Sociology

Approval AuthorityAcademic Senate
Date Approved3 October 2007
Date for Review3 October 2010
Policy Contact PositionManager, Admission and Enrolments