English Language Entry Requirements

International students must be able to demonstrate English language proficiency before being admitted to a course. This page can be used as a general guide to English admission requirements.

International applicants who are required to obtain a student visa to study in Australia must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs’ English language criteria. This requirement is in addition to meeting the College’s minimum English language proficiency requirements.  See the DHA website for more information.

* Excluding the Foundation Program when packaged with a Bachelor of Nursing.

# See Deakin University’s course-specific English language proficiency requirements for more detail

** Students with Indian citizenship require an IELTS 6.0 (with no band score below 5.5) or equivalent

≠ TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and 4 May 2024 will not be accepted. During this period, the TOEFL iBT test ​being offered was not an approved test.

^ Accepted from students of select countries only

~ Applies to students who took the Duolingo test before 1 July 2024

^^ Applies to students who took the Duolingo test from 1 July 2024 onwards

English Language Module

From Trimester 3, 2024, all our diploma programs include an English language module: LDM100 Language Development Module. This 0-credit-point module is free of charge and is compulsory for international students who have not received an exemption.

Exemptions apply to students who:

• have completed a Deakin College or other Australian Foundation Program
• have an IETLS of 6.0 or above (or equivalent)
• are citizens of the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand or Ireland
• have completed an Australian Year 12 or AQF Level 4 studies in the last 2 years
• have completed a minimum of 5 years of study in English in Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA, Canada, Ireland or South Africa
• have an IB English score of 4 or above
• have a GCE O/A Level English score of ‘C’