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If you are considering furthering your research in literary studies you will want to learn from the best in Australia and immerse yourself in the field

Graduate research enquiry

Degrees offered

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

English research degrees are the centre of literary studies at ANU. Supervision is available in Australian and British literature; the latter covering a range of historical periods from the Renaissance to today. You may also focus on American, Commonwealth and comparative literature, gender studies and literary and cultural theory. The University's main research strengths for English are in 18th Century British and Irish literature, Romantic literary studies, Victorian, Neo-Victorian and modernist literature, postcolonial literature and theory, Australian literature, American literature and drama.

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Doctor of Philosophy, ANU College of Law

A single four year research award offered by the ANU College of Law

• Length 4 year full-time
• Minimum 192 Units
• Academic plan 9030XPHD
• Post Nominal
• CRICOS code 048355K
• AsPr Kate Ogg
• Admission & Fees
• Introduction

Employment Opportunities

Career options, learning outcomes, inherent requirements, further information.

• Additional Information

Admission Requirements

Scholarships.

• Indicative Fees

Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy requires the submission and successful examination of a thesis of up to 100,000 words.

All Law PhD candidates must also complete 6 units of coursework consisting of the following course:

• LAWS9800 Advanced Legal Methods and Legal Writing

Students who have taken Master’s level research method courses would not be exempt from these courses unless the student has a proven record of academic publication or extensive research experience.

Each candidate has a chair/supervisor and at least one other adviser.

Study consists of two to four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent.

At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. Admission to a Doctor of Philosophy is also subject to supervisory capacity, availability of appropriate infrastructure and resources, and approval from the relevant Delegated Authority within the Academic College.

Applicants must:

1.      Present a relevant Bachelor Honours degree or international equivalent

• With a First Class or minimum upper Second Class Honours – Upper (H2A), usually in Law, from an Australian university; or
• a Masters in Law (LLM) with a distinction average; or
• qualification equivalent or superior to these as determined by the Director of Higher Degree Research; or
• an equivalent combination of qualifications, research publications and/or professional experience related to the field of study.

2.      Have the written approval of an identified supervisor for the research project/thesis.

3.      Provide:

•  A detailed research proposal outlining your intended research, (applicants should seek guidance from the potential supervisor regarding length and content);
•  Original evidence of all relevant academic qualifications and graduation documentation (with English translation as appropriate);
•  An up-to-date CV including academic qualifications, work experience and research publications;
•  At least two academic referee reports.

4.      All applicants must meet the University’s  English Language Admission Requirements for Students

For further details about applying for Higher Degree Research study at the ANU College of Law, check out how to apply .

Indicative fees

For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees

For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the  Services and amenities fee  (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

ANU offers a wide range of  scholarships  to students to assist with the cost of their studies.

Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.

For further information see the  Scholarships  website.

Exceptional research degrees at ANU

The Australian National University provides PhD students with a vibrant research community and outstanding program support . When selecting a research program, an institution's reputation is everything. ANU is one of the world's leading universities, and the smart choice for your research program.

As a PhD student you will work with increased independence, under the direction of a supervisory panel of experts in the field. Your research will make an original and important contribution to human knowledge, research and development .

ANU ranks among the world's very finest universities. Our nearly 100,000 alumni include political, business, government, and academic leaders around the world.

We have graduated remarkable people from every part of our continent, our region and all walks of life.

HDR study at the ANU College of Law can provide students with career options within academia, private industry, or public service. For those students entitled to work in the legal profession, HDR study can also lead to a range of professional career options.

critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate complex information in a specific area of the discipline relevant to their research;

formulate a research plan and undertake independent research to address specific research questions that make a substantial contribution to knowledge;

ensure that research is carried out with integrity and actively promote responsible conduct of research;

develop, adapt and implement research methodologies relevant to their research questions;

demonstrate expert technical and/or specialist skills relevant to their research focus;

communicate effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences in both written and oral form;

demonstrate appropriate collegial and professional behaviour, and safe working practices as required by their specific research focus.

No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this program.

The completion of a Doctor of Philosophy normally takes between three and four years of full-time study or part-time equivalent and is conducted in English. The award is made on the basis of independent research resulting in a detailed thesis comprising original written work, normally of up to 100,000 words, that is independently assessed by no fewer than two external examiners of international standing. 

All candidates are required to complete Research Integrity Training. More information on how to apply can be found at  https://www.anu.edu.au/study/apply/anu-postgraduate-research-domestic-and-international-applications

There are a number of  scholarships  available to ANU HDR candidates to assist with the cost of their studies; however, in general first class honours might be required for consideration for a scholarship. Scholarships are highly competitive and not all applicants that receive an offer of admission to a HDR program will be successful in receiving a scholarship.

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Mathematical Sciences Institute ANU College of Science

PhD & MPhil

Join our community of over 200 members, PhD students and associates, conducting internationally recognised mathematical sciences research.

• Doctor of Philosophy

Are you considering undertaking a PhD in the Mathematical Sciences? We have many interesting projects for talented postgraduate researchers. This page provides useful information and links discover more about our PhD Program and the application process.

Master of Philosophy

The Master of Philosophy in Mathematical Sciences is a higher degree by research, and may be taken as a full-time course (one to two years) or as a part-time course (two to four years).

More information

Find a supervisor ».

Find a MSI supervisor for your research degree.

Summer research »

A Summer Research Scholarship at ANU is an exceptional opportunity for undergraduate students, providing insight into what studying for an Honours or a graduate research degree is all about.

MSI 'Kick-start' Postdoctoral Fellowship »

Read more about this  short-term employment opportunity  for high achieving early career mathematicians.

Research areas

• Algebra & topology
• Analysis & geometry
• Applied & nonlinear analysis
• Bioinformation science
• Computational mathematics
• Fusion plasma theory and modelling
• Mathematical physics
• Stochastic analysis & risk modelling
• Theoretical astrophysics

Prerequisites

Applicants should be of a high scholastic calibre and should have a capacity for research.

Applicants for research degree scholarships must hold a bachelor degree with at least upper second class Honours, although competition is such that applicants usually have to hold a first class Honours degree to be competitive (and for some scholarships, this is mandatory), or a Master by coursework or a Graduate Diploma (which must be completed at a level equivalent to first or upper second-class Honours) degree from a recognised University. In special cases, applicants with other qualifications and/or research experience may be considered.

English language requirements

You are required to meet our English Language Requirements before you can be accepted for admission. Unless your previous tertiary-level studies were undertaken in English in (for example) Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, you will normally have to sit for either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS - overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL - 570 with TWE 4.5). Some programs may require higher scores.

If you have any questions about your application for admission and where it is up to, you can contact  ANU Admissions Office .

Research program applications are accepted at any time of the year, however there may be deadlines associated with scholarships that should be considered. For this reason, applicants are strongly recommended to apply for both admission and scholarship, before the following deadlines:

• Overseas students: by the 31st of August to be admitted in the following year.
• Australia and New Zealand students: by the 31st of October to be admitted in the following year.

See here for more information on how to apply:

• Domestic applicants
• International applicants

How long does it take?

A PhD program takes at least 2 years and at most 4 years to complete full time. All ANU scholarships end after 3.5 years without any substitute at the RSC.

What scholarships are available?

ANU offers a variety of scholarships to eligible students studying a research degree program. Scholarships are provided to assist students with the cost of their studies.

Domestic students are enrolled into research programs under the  Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Fee Offset Scholarship . Under the AGRTP, the Australian Government pays 100% of domestic research students' tuition fees.

Scholarships differ in value and may be offered to cover some or all of the costs associated with tuition, accommodation, materials, relocation, cost of living and other expenses.

The Conditions of Award for each scholarship stipulates what the scholarship may be used for.

Two of the most sought after scholarships available are the  Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) Stipend Scholarship  for domestic research students, and the  Australian Government Research Training Program (AGRTP) International Fee Offset Scholarship  for international research students.

Different scholarships are available depending on whether you are a domestic or international student.

Scholarships available to domestic research students

• AGRTP Stipend Scholarship , applications close 31 October each year
• ANU University Research Scholarship , applications close 31 October each year
• ANU PhD Scholarships , applications can be made throughout the year

The Mathematical Sciences Institute also offers supplementary scholarships to attract talented Australian and New Zealand students of high calibre to pursue postgraduate research within the MSI. The scholarship provides for payment of a supplementary stipend to an outstanding holder of an AGRTP or similar stipend scholarship for the duration of that scholarship. The value of this scholarship is $5,000 per annum.

The maximum duration of this scholarship is three years full-time, with a possible six month extension.

Eligibility: Candidates who have completed a four year undergraduate degree or equivalent at H1 level and who wish to undertake a PhD at the School, are eligible. Domestic students include Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, and New Zealand citizens.

It is not necessary to complete a separate application form as all eligible candidates will be considered.

Scholarships available to international research students

• AGRTP International Fee Offset Scholarship  - covers tuition fees for 3 years and provides Overseas Student Health Cover
• ANU Tuition Scholarships
• ANU PhD scholarships

International applicants are also encouraged to explore the  Endeavour Awards  offered by the Australian Government. Closing date for applications is usually 30 June each year.

How do I apply?

You need to apply online – one application covers both admission and scholarships. You will be automatically considered for all scholarships available to you. For more information please see the Apply tab.

Do I have to pay tuition fees?

Yes, unless you are a citizen or permanent resident of Australia or a citizen of New Zealand. International students can be considered for a HDR Fee Remission Merit Scholarship – where Tuition fees will be waived. This will be considered automatically and does not require additional paperwork.

How do I apply for a visa?

Prospective international students need to provide: (i) CV, (ii) academic transcript (colour scans), (iii) TOEFL or IELTS scores, (iv) 3 references of academics, (v) research proposal / project description by ANU supervisor. Once your application has been accepted you will receive a letter of offer for admission – once all conditions have been met (e.g. proof of health cover) and you have signed the paperwork, the ANU will provide an electronic certificate of enrolment (eCOE). You need the eCOE to apply to the Department of Immigration for a student visa.

Do I need Health Cover and how much does it cost?

Yes, International Students need to pay Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) in advance for 52 months as part of the visa requirements. You can either arrange your own OSHC, or ask the ANU to arrange it for you. Details will be outlined in your letter of offer for admission. The cost of OSHC for 2017 from the ANU preferred provider (Allianz) is $3,240 for single cover.

Where will I live?

The cost of living in any city obviously depends on needs, lifestyle choices and spending habits. For accommodation on-campus please refer to the following website:  http://www.anu.edu.au/study/accommodation . 

More questions?

For any questions about undertaking a PhD within the Mathematical Sciences Institute, applying for admission and/or scholarships, or general questions about Canberra – please contact our friendly MSI HDR Student Administrator at  [email protected] .

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The PhD in Law is an opportunity for you to engage in high-quality independent research as part of an extended research project. 

Program description

The PhD in Law is an opportunity for you to engage in high-quality independent research as part of an extended research project. The PhD degree requires submission of a thesis of not more than 100,000 words that makes a substantial contribution to learning in the field of law. Each candidate has a supervisory panel of academics. Students are encouraged to participate in the activities of the ANU College of Law, and would most often be based on campus and study full-time.

Mode of delivery

The research outcome of a PhD degree is a thesis of not more than 100,000 words. During their study, candidates are assessed against milestones which include: annual plans (completed 3 months after commencement and then annually); annual reports; a thesis proposal review; and an oral presentation.

Research students at ANU must fulfil the minimum residency requirements specified in the Australian Government’s  Research Award Rules 2017  unless approval has been obtained for a reduced period of attendance, or the student is externally based. Applicants should make a detailed case for any reduced period of attendance, preferably at the time of application. ANU also has a  PhD Attendance Requirements Policy  which describes these requirements.

If you are approved to study externally (via distance), the minimum attendance on campus is 4 weeks each year. For further information, please refer to the Guidelines For Externally Based Students on the ANU Law  Apply online  page. Approval to study externally cannot be guaranteed.

ANU Law will provide a suitable work space and computer on the ANU campus in Canberra. All students will have access to Wattle (Web Access to Teaching & Learning Environments), the University’s online learning platform.

One of the world's top 20 law schools Times Higher Education Rankings (2024)

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Graduating from ANU Law will see you join a prestigious and highly recognised alumni network .

4 years full-time (note that some scholarships are for a maximum of 3.5 years at present with a possible extension). If part-time study is approved, the maximum duration is 8 years.

Make an enquiry

Call and chat to a member of our Future Student Experience team.

Apply for Doctor of Philosophy in Law as a domestic or international student.

Course guide

View the Doctor of Philosophy in Law course guide for more information.

Entry requirements

The minimum entry requirements are: English language proficiency, and at a minimum, a bachelor's degree with first or upper second class honours, usually in law. Admission into this program is highly competitive and we therefore prioritise applicants with a first class honours degree. We favour applicants who also have a masters degree with a high grade point average.

The level of English language required for Law is high, see How to Apply . If you are an international student, you must provide a current IELTS or TOEFL certificate as proof of your competency. The tests can be arranged through the British Council or the Australian Embassy in your country.

ANU has the highest level of graduate employability of any Australian university.

In addition, graduating from ANU Law will see you join a prestigious and highly recognised alumni network of over 20,000 professionals in Australia and around the globe.

Academic experts

Each candidate has a supervisory panel of academics, usually drawn from the ANU College of Law’s experts .

With particular expertise in constitutional and administrative law , international law , environmental law , migration law, governance and national security , our academic staff are frequently called on by parliamentary committees, peak bodies, professional associations and the media for analysis, advice and guidance on the law, and what might be done to improve it.

Many of our expert research staff are also award winning teachers who are are always accessible and work closely with you to ensure you successfully complete your studies. We have created a supportive and nurturing environment in which you can thrive.

Admission to practice

A PhD in Law will not provide a basis for admission to practice.

ANU currently enrols domestic research students under the Research Training Scheme (RTS) which is funded by the Commonwealth Government. RTS funded students are not required to contribute to the cost of their tuition for the duration of their program.

International students are required to pay the cost of their tuition for the duration of their program. The annual fee for international students (2018) is $40,416.00.

Fees for the PhD program are also available on the Programs and Courses website.

Scholarships

ANU funds and administers a range of scholarships for graduate research degree programs, especially for domestic students. See our HDR scholarships page for information on these scholarships and their deadlines.

More information on ANU costs and fees , and scholarships and support is available on the central ANU website.

For more information on the Australian education system please go to the government websites MyUniversity and StudyAssist .

We have prepared detailed information on how to apply to do Higher Degree Research at ANU Law , including information on scholarships, putting your application together, applying online and commencement. Please read through these instructions thoroughly.

Programs and courses

For information on admission requirements, fees, courses, electives, suggested study patterns and more see Programs and Courses.

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Join the community of talented students studying at Australia's most international university* in the heart of Canberra , Australia’s capital city.

Build your knowledge in small classes taught by global experts and access the unique industry internships, resources and support of a national institution.

Australia has incredible natural landscapes and city experiences – and Canberra is no exception. Whether it’s kangaroos and koalas, rivers and mountains you want to experience during your time here or great food, culture and a chilled city vibe, our student-friendly city has it all.

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• Submit your application through our online application portal. Simply search for your preferred program in the below list, and click on Apply.
• You must pay an application fee of AUD$110 upon submission of each application you make to the University. You will be prompted to pay this fee at the end of the online application process.
• To find out if additional requirements apply, search our programs and courses catalogue .
• You can apply for up to three programs, check our programs and courses catalogue to list the programs in order of preference. If successful, you will receive an offer to your highest eligible preference. To give you the best chance to receive an offer, we suggest not to list all three preferences with same entry requirements.
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• You must meet all requirements to be considered for a full offer. Learn more about the  ANU assessment process .
• ANU participates in multiple University Admissions Centre (UAC) offer rounds throughout the year.
• UAC application fees apply. You will need to pay the application fee to UAC and the amount will depend on when you apply to ANU. You can find more information about the UAC application fees here .

Following these steps will make applying for undergraduate study at ANU easier.

1. Check the entry requirements

Learn about the minimum admission requirements to ANU and how we will assess your application .

2. Find an agent

Our educational agents around the world can help you apply to ANU. Find an agent near you.

3. Review your documentary evidence

Explore the specific documents you will need to supply with your application that will enable us to assess it.

4. Meet English language requirements

You must provide evidence that you meet the English language requirements for admission to ANU, even if you are a domestic student.

5. Explore visa requirements for international students

To study in Australia, you will need to apply for a student visa. Understanding visa requirements will help ensure your application meets these.

6. Learn about Mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)

As an international student in Australia, you will need overseas health cover for the duration of your stay.

7. Apply for campus accommodation

ANU offers a range of accommodation options across our campus. To apply, please submit an application on the Accommodation Portal . Please note that we guarantee an offer of on campus accommodation to international undergraduate students commencing in the first semester of their first year of study at ANU. Learn more about Accommodation guarantee at ANU and How accommodation preferences are managed .

View your options for living on-campus if you will be under 18 at the start of the semester . Your visa will require you to prove that you have organised acceptable living arrangements.

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• Semester 2, 2024 applications open on 3 June 2023.
• Final application deadline for Semester 2, 2024 is 31 May 2024. We will continue to accept supporting documentation after this deadline.
• You can apply at any time throughout the year.
• Applications deadline for the programs offered by the Crawford School of Public Policy is 15 April 2024 for Semester 2, 2024.
• Application deadline for programs with additional selection criteria may vary.
• Most applications submitted before the 15th day of each month will be considered for an offer on or before the 1st business day of the following month.
• The standard acceptance deadline for Semester 2 is 30 June if you are overseas, and 10 July if you are in Australia at the time of accepting your offer.

Semester 1, 2025

• Semester 1, 2025 applications open on 26 February 2024.
• Final application deadline for Semester 1, 2025 is 31 December 2024. We will continue to accept supporting documentation after this deadline.
• Application deadline for the programs offered by the Crawford School of Public Policy is 15 October 2024 for Semester 1, 2025.
• The standard acceptance deadline for Semester 1 is 15 January if you are overseas, and 31 January if you are in Australia at the time of accepting your offer.

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English language requirements

Helping you understand language requirements.

If English isn’t your first language, you may be required to provide evidence that your English language ability meets our requirements.

You may need to submit results from an acceptable english language test taken in the last two years prior to starting at unsw., are you a study abroad or exchange student , here are some ways you can achieve the language requirements:.

UNSW accepts a number of English language qualifications to meet our English language requirements provided:

• You completed the test no more than two years before your intended start date, the English test must be dated on or after the 1st of January (two years prior) for Term 1 commencement, 1st of May for Term 2  commencement or the 1st of August (two years prior) for Term 3 commencement and
• You achieved the minimum scores for your desired program.

Lists of test we accept: 

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - Academic version, IELTS One Skill Retake and IELTS UKVI only
• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based) including TOEFL iBT Home Edition 
• PTE (Pearson Test of English - Academic)
• C1 Advanced Cambridge (formerly known as CAE - Cambridge Advanced English) 
• C2 Proficiency Cambridge (formerly known CPE - Cambridge Proficiency English) 
• ANU Access Program

Check below to see if your results meet our English language requirements.

Note: When applying for a cross-faculty double degree, the higher English requirements apply.

IELTS One Skill Retake allows test taker to retake any one component of the IELTS test (Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking) without redoing all four sections in case they have missed the required score. Test takers are eligible to book IELTS One Skill Retake after they recently completed a full test on a computer and received their IELTS test score, from an eligible test centre. To be eligible, you must book your IELTS One Skill Retake within 60 days of the original test date and you can take only one retake for each full IELTS test.

Note: TOEFL MyBest Score is not accepted. When applying for a cross-faculty double degree, the higher English requirements apply.

Note: When applying for a cross faculty double degree, the higher English requirements applies.

If you have received a Conditional Offer from UNSW Sydney, you can meet our English language requirements by taking UNSW College’s  University English Entry Course (UEEC)  and achieving the minimum scores as outlined below by course. However, if you wish to apply for a cross-faculty double degree, there will be higher English language requirements to meet. Please note the course must be completed no more than two years before your intended start date.

UNSW College  offers university pathway programs that provide a seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. They will provide you with the academic and English language foundations for success.  Contact UNSW College  to find out more.

UNSW accepts prior study results to meet our English language requirements on certain conditions.

UNSW accepts prior studies completed in English to meet our English language requirements depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. 

English-speaking background: 

• Citizens of English-speaking countries, or
• Permanent Residents of English-speaking countries, or
• Minimum of ten years in an English-speaking country and completed secondary or tertiary education in an English-speaking country. 

Senior Secondary qualifications from a recognised  English-speaking country will meet our English language requirements if they were:

• taught and examined in English
• attempted no more than two years before your intended start date if you are from a non-English speaking background.

UNSW recognises some academic qualifications completed in non-English speaking countries.

Qualifications from Germany, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Switzerland will meet our English language requirements provided they were:

• completed no more than two years before your intended start date, and
• meet the minimum scores for your desired course.

Check below to see if your qualification is eligible for your desired course.

Qualifications from Denmark, Sweden or Norway will meet our English language requirements provided they were:

• completed within four years before your intended start date , and

Check to see if your qualification meets our minimum entry scores for your desired course.

UNSW accepts completed or incomplete post-secondary or tertiary qualifications* completed in English to meet our English language requirements depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. 

• Bachelor of Education programs (Primary & Secondary) accept at least one-year studies at AQF Bachelor or higher levels and Master of Teaching programs accept completed AQF Bachelor or higher levels for meeting the English requirements. Please note you must comply with the NESA English Language Proficiency Requirements and provide the necessary evidence when you apply for provisional and conditional accreditation.
• For Master of Clinical Neuropsychology and Master of Psychology (Clinical & Forensic) including combined PhD/Master please refer to AHPRA website for pathways that you can use to demonstrate your English competence.

COMPLETED QUALIFICATION

If you are from an English-speaking background, you will meet our English language requirements if your qualification was:

• an AQF Diploma or higher from a recognised institution,
• taught and examined in English.

Please provide:

• official academic transcript
• proof of citizenship or residency.

If you are from a non-English-speaking background, you will meet our English language requirements if your qualification was:

• an AQF Bachelor or higher from a recognised institution,
• taught and examined in English,
• completed within the five years before you start your degree at UNSW.
• an AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree,
• gained within the two years before you start your degree at UNSW.
• a statement or certificate issued by the Registrar, or equivalent, confirming that the sole language of instruction and assessment was in English. Your statement or certificate must be on official letterhead and you will need to provide the original document.

INCOMPLETE QUALIFICATION

If you hold an incomplete qualification, you will meet our English language requirement for specific degrees if your studies were:

• completed for at least one year full-time at AQF Bachelor level or higher from a recognised institution 
• undertaken no more than two years prior to commencement of UNSW degree, if you are from a non-English speaking background

What is an English waiver?

An English waiver is a decision by UNSW to waive the English language requirements based on life experience and circumstances. To apply for an English waiver you will need to meet any two of the conditions listed below.

How can I apply for an English waiver?

• You can apply for an English Waiver during your online application – just submit a personal statement with your supporting documentation under the English Language Requirements section of the online application form.
• If you are applying for an Undergraduate and Postgraduate course, you can apply for an English waiver by submitting an enquiry here .
• If you are applying for a Higher Degree by Research, please upload your request and supporting documents to your online application as one file.

Is my country recognised as an English-speaking country?

UNSW recognises the following countries as English-speaking: American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Gibraltar, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, The Gambia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Does UNSW accept all requests for an English waiver?

• UNSW does not accept any requests for an English waiver for the Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Master of Psychology (including combined PhD/Master), Master of Clinical Neuropsychology, Bachelor of Education (Primary & Secondary), or Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary).
• UNSW Canberra does not accept any requests for an English waiver for Higher Degree Research program including the Doctor of Philosophy, Professional Doctorates, Master by Research or Master of Philosophy.

Conditions for an English Waiver

English Language Test Scores – between two-five years ago

You completed the IELTS, TOEFL IBT, TOEFL PBT, PTE, C1 Advanced Cambridge, C2 Proficiency Cambridge or the ANU Access program between two to five years ago and achieved our minimum scores.

Please refer to English tests section above to see our minimum scores.

• Your test results.

English Language Test Scores – no more than two years before your intended start date

You completed the IELTS, TOEFL IBT, TOEFL PBT, PTE Academic, UNSW UEEC, C1 Advanced Cambridge or C2 Proficiency Cambridge within the last two years. Use the table to see if your English Language Test scores meet the scores required for your desired course.

• Your test results

Directly relevant Work Experience for at least the last two years – any program

You have at least two years of directly relevant work experience, in the relevant industry or equivalent discipline practice, in an  English-speaking country  or workplace where the sole language of business was English.

• A letter from your employer on company letterhead which states your position title, the duties you undertook and an idea of what level of English was spoken and how English was used in terms of written or verbal communication.

Directly relevant Work Experience for at least five years out of the last seven – AGSM @ UNSW program only

You have five years, out of the last seven, of directly relevant work experience, in the relevant industry or equivalent discipline practice, in an  English-speaking country  or workplace where the sole language of business was English.

Please provide a letter from your employer on company letterhead for any employment which is not already covered by the referee letters you have already submitted with your AGSM application.

If you can demonstrate this experience, you will not need to satisfy a second condition for an English waiver.

You successfully completed at least one year of full-time study, in an assessable qualification, at a university or other post-secondary educational institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment was English.

• A statement or certificate by the institution’s Registrar, or equivalent, confirming this, which is an official document from the institution or on official letterhead.

You lived in a recognised  English-speaking country  for at least five years before you plan to start your course at UNSW.

• References which state whether a basic, medium, high or academic level of English speaking and writing skills was needed.
• Copies of passports and/or visas to prove your residency in the  English-speaking country  was for at least five years.

You hold a current valid NAATI accreditation as a Professional Interpreter or Translator, formerly known as Level 3 accredited.

• Your certificate of NAATI accreditation.

You sat the GMAT within the last five years and you scored a minimum overall GMAT score of 550 with a minimum score of 25 in Verbal, 35 in Quantitative and 4.0 in the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA).

You are a qualified doctor/health professional overseas, hold a current registration with the Medical Board of Australia and are currently employed in the health system in Australia.

• Your CV with referees.
• Proof of your current registration with the Medical Board of Australia.

You can supply evidence of successfully completing a UNSW Study Abroad or Exchange program within the last two years.

• Your transcript.

You can supply evidence of successfully completing a program within the last two years, which is recognised by UNSW as a defined qualification pathway.

Study Abroad & Exchange students

To ensure students have the best possible experience at UNSW and to maximise their chances of personal and academic success, all students including exchange and study abroad students need to meet our English language requirements.  You can view the list of English-speaking countries here .     If English isn't your first language you will need to provide proof of English proficiency at time of application and you can do this by providing evidence that you meet one of UNSW’s approved criteria. You should upload your supporting documents to your Study Abroad or Exchange application.  English proficiency is an entry requirement and we cannot accept students without it. 

Here are some ways you can achieve the language requirements.  We recommend you also review the full list of English Language options above.  No other tests or options can be accepted. 

UNSW accepts English language test scores to meet our English language requirements provided:

• You have completed the test no more than two years before your intended start date, and
• You achieve the minimum scores for the Study Abroad and Exchange program.  Study Abroad and Exchange students are only required to meet the overall score for IELTS and TOEFL.  You do not need to meet each of the subtests as per a full degree student. 

You should register for your English language test early to avoid delays. Please note: TOEFL MyBest scores is not a recognised or accepted language test.  The Department of Home Affairs has advised that results from multiple tests cannot be used for meeting English Language proficiency requirements for a student visa.

UNSW recognises some academic qualifications completed in non-English speaking countries.  These qualifications, together with the minimum results required, are listed in the table below. All qualifications must have been undertaken no more than two years prior to the year of commencement of your study at UNSW except for qualifications from Denmark, Sweden or Norway, which must be undertaken no more than four years prior to the year of commencement of study at UNSW.

Study Abroad and Exchange students who have successfully completed at least  one consecutive year of full-time study study at an AQF Bachelor level or higher from a recognised institution where the sole language of instruction and assessment was English, may not be required to undertake a language test if they can provide a statement or certificate from their home university confirming this. This can be in the form of a statement or certificate issued by the Registrar (or equivalent) on official headed paper.   The study must have been completed no more than  two years  prior to the commencement of your Study Abroad or Exchange program at UNSW.

If you don’t quite meet the UNSW English language requirements, you may wish to consider undertaking English language study through the UNSW College  University English Entry Course (UEEC)  program. You can apply to UEEC to undertake English language study prior to your study abroad or exchange.  You will be provided with a conditional study abroad or exchange offer and you can demonstrate you meet our English language requirements by taking the UEEC program and achieving the minimum grade of C+ and C in writing.  You are responsible for paying any tuition fees directly to UEEC.

Things to know

UNSW recognises the follow countries as English-speaking: American Samoa, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Canada, Fiji, Gibraltar, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, The Gambia, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

If your application does not meet our English language requirements, but you are otherwise eligible for admission to your desired course, you will be issued a Conditional Letter of Offer.

A full Offer for admission will be issued when you submit documents which demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

Conditional Offers based on English language requirements are not offered to UAC applicants for domestic undergraduate or postgraduate coursework programs and any Higher Degree Research applicants. 

UNSW College  has university pathway programs that provide a seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals including the University English Entry Course.

With a Conditional Package Offer, you will be able to apply for a student visa for the duration of UNSW College’s University English Entry Course (UEEC) and your UNSW course.

The package offer is only valid for UNSW College’s UEEC and this depends on whether you are accepted into the UNSW College.

Conditional package offers are not offered for entry to the Bachelor of Education (any program), Graduate Diploma in Psychology, Master of Psychology (including combined PhD/Master) or Master of Teaching (Primary and Secondary).

For advice on applying for a student visa,  visit the Department of Home Affairs .

Need some help?

If you need help assistance with the English language requirements, contact us below. We're here to help.

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