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.
| Test/program | Results required for direct entry to diploma programs and Foundation Program (Standard)* | Results required for the Foundation Program (Extended)* | Results required for the Masters Qualifying Program (MQP) | Results required for the Foundation Program to Bachelor of Nursing pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic), including IELTS One Skill Retake | 5.5 (with no band score below 5.0)** | 5.5 (with no band score below 4.5) | 6.0 (with no band score below 5.5) | 7.0 (and a minimum score of 6.5 in writing and 7 in listening, reading and speaking). See more details |
| Cambridge English C1 Advanced (Formerly known as Advanced CAE) | 162 (with no individual skill less than 154) | 162 (with no individual skill less than 150) | To be confirmed | Not accepted |
| Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) | EAP 2 | EAP 2 | To be confirmed | Not accepted |
| Pearsons Test of English Academic (PTE) | 42 (with no communicative skill less than 36)** | 42 (with no communicative skill less than 30) | 50 (with no communicative skill less than 42) | 63 - Listening 58; Reading 59; Writing 60; and Speaking 76. See more details |
| TOEFL iBT (0-120)≠ Valid from 7 August 2025 | 51 - Writing 9; Speaking 14; Listening and Reading 8** | 51 - Writing and Reading 4; Listening 3; and Speaking 11 | 69 - Writing 14; Reading 12; Listening 12; and Speaking 17 | 91 - Listening 22; Reading 22; Writing 23; and Speaking 24. See more details |
| TOEFL iBT (1-6)# Valid from 21 January 2026 | 3.5 - Writing 2; Reading 3; Listening and Speaking 2.5** | 3.5 - Writing and Listening 1.5; Reading 2.5; and Speaking 2 | 4 - Writing 3.0; Listening 3.0; Reading 3.5; and Speaking 3.0 | To be confirmed |
| Pearson Versant English Placement Test^ | 46 (with no score less than 41) | 46 (with no score less than 37) | To be confirmed | Not accepted |
| MET (Michigan English Test)^^ | 49 - Writing 45; Listening 49; Reading 47; Speaking 38 | 49 - Writing 38; Listening 45; Reading 42; Speaking 31 | 53 - Writing 51; Listening 53; Reading 51; Speaking 43 | To be confirmed |
| LANGUAGECERT Academic^^ | 54 - Writing 45; Listening 41; Reading 44; Speaking 54 | 54 - Writing 33; Listening 35; Reading 36; Speaking 44 | 61 - Writing 56; Listening 49; Reading 54; Speaking 62 | To be confirmed |
| Duolingo^ | Overall 100 with no subscore below 90 | Overall 100 with no subscore below 75 | To be confirmed | Not accepted |
| GCE O/AS Level English | C | C | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| GCE A Level English Language | E*** | E | Not accepted | |
| HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) | Form 5 English 60% for Foundation or HKDSE English Level 3 for Diploma | Form 5 English 60% for Foundation or HKDSE English Level 3 for Diploma | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) | Overall CEFR B2 (with no component score below B2) | Overall CEFR B2 ( with no component score below B2) | Not accepted | Not accepted |
| VCE English (any) (Australia) | Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in any English | Contact us | Not accepted | Contact us |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma | 3 in higher level English or 4 in standard level English | 3 in higher level English or 4 in standard level English | Not accepted | Contact us |
Evidence of English test and/or qualifications should be no more than two years old at the time of commencement at Deakin College.
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.
** Students with Indian or Nepali citizenship require an IELTS 6.0 (with no band score below 5.5) or equivalent for entry to the diploma programs.
≠ TOEFL iBT tests taken 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. TOEFL iBT tests taken on or before 6th August 2025 will be assessed based on the previous English entry requirement specified in the schedule 3 of legislative instrument LIN 25/090.
# TOEFL iBT introduced a new score scale (1-6) in January 2026.
^ Accepted from government-sponsored students of select countries only.
^^ Valid from 7 August 2025 only
*** Students must undertake English Language Module (LDM100) if GCE A-Level English score is below grade ‘C’.
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:
If you do not meet the English language requirements you may choose to enrol in an intensive English language course at Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) to improve your English language proficiency.
DUELI offers a wide range of English language courses, from beginners to advanced levels and is located on Deakin University’s Melbourne Burwood campus.
2026 fees are A$510 per week + an enrolment fee of A$250.
