Admission Requirements
Check the requirements and prerequisites for admission into the University of Adelaide as an international student.
English language requirements
International students seeking admission to the University's coursework academic programs must meet minimum English language standards.
The University's preferred accredited English language tests are:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - Academic Test
- TOEFL - internet based and paper based
- Pearson Test of English - Academic
- CAE (Cambridge English: Advanced).
However, the University may accept other evidence of proficiency in English in individual cases.
The majority of language tests and qualifications that meet the University’s minimum English requirements have a validity of two years preceding the date of commencement.
Students without the required level of English will need to satisfactorily complete an intensive program of English language before being admitted to the University of Adelaide. The University can arrange an appropriate English language program, Academic English (PEP Pathway) in Adelaide at the University's English Language Centre. The PEP Pathway provides an alternative entry pathway for prospective students who have received offers to the University of Adelaide conditional upon English proficiency. On successful completion of the PEP Pathway at the appropriate level, students are granted direct entry into the University. See PEP pathway entry requirements for more information.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, alternative English language tests will be accepted for admission to all coursework entry intakes in 2023.
Australian year 12 applicants*
International students undertaking an Australian year 12 program will meet the English language proficiency requirements with a passing grade or above in a recognised English as a Second Language or an English Language subject, as a part of the successful completion of their year 12 qualification.
International students who are not required to undertake an English subject to successfully complete their Australian year 12 qualification (or those who successfully complete their year 12 qualification but do not pass their English subject), can meet the English language proficiency requirements by achieving or exceeding the minimum score in an IELTS or another accepted English language test.
Successful completion of the International Baccalaureate Diploma meets the English language requirements of the University of Adelaide.
*Note: Exceptions apply to degrees such as nursing.
More information
For more information about the minimum English Language policy, please refer to the English Language Procedure linked to the Admissions to Coursework Programs Policy.
Study requirements and prerequisites
The Degree Finder tool provides general information about all undergraduate and postgraduate (coursework) programs. This includes information about minimum entry requirements, pre-requisites and selection criteria.
For more detailed information explore each of the program types below.
Undergraduate
The following qualifications are recognised for undergraduate entry. Each program has minimum entry requirements that can be accessed in Degree Finder.
| Country | Qualification | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Australian Year 12: SACE, NSW/ACT UAI, TAS/WA Selection Rank, VIC Selection Rank, QLD OP Australian school leaver applicants are given a tertiary entrance rank (Selection Rank). School leavers with interstate/overseas equivalents and applicants studying the International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia have their final school results converted to a South Australian Selection Rank by SATAC. All international applicants undertaking an Australian year 12 program are required to achieve a Pass grade or above in one of the approved English as a Second Language or English Language subjects. Satisfactory completion of one of these subjects ensures that each international applicant meets the minimum English language proficiency requirements of the University of Adelaide. |
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| Brunei | GCE Advanced Level Examination A Level results are calculated on the aggregate score from three A Level Subjects were A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A Level subjects. Score from General Paper or language subject in the applicant's first language are excluded from the calculation. |
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| Canada | Provincial High School Diploma Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) - Average of best six subjects. British Columbia Certificate of Graduation - Average of best four subjects. Alberta High School Diploma - Average of best five subjects. |
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| Germany | Abitur The stated grade is the minimum entry grade in a grading system of 1-5 (where 1 is the highest grade available). |
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| Hong Kong | Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education HKDSE results are calculated on the aggregate score of five subjects where 5**=6, 5*=5.5, 5=5, 4=4, 3=3. Category B and C subjects may not be used to calculate an entry score. |
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| India | All India Senior Secondary Certificate (CBSE, New Delhi), Indian School Certificate (ISC), Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu State Board Examination and Telangana State Board Examination. Best three subjects, excluding language and non-academic subjects. |
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| Indonesia | Indonesia SMA3 (Graduate Certificate of Completion) |
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| Kuwait | General School Secondary Certificate | |
| Malaysia | GCE Advanced Level Examination A Level results are calculated on the aggregate score from three A Level Subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A Level subjects. Score from General Paper or language subject in the applicant's first language are excluded from the calculation. Matrikulasi, STPM Examination Average of best three subjects. Unified Entrance Certificate (UEC) Best 5 subjects excluding language subjects. Students must achieve numerical score lower than that listed, UEC grades A1=1, B3=3,B4=4, B5=5, B6=6, C7=7,C8=8. |
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| Mauritius | GCE Advanced Level Examination A Level results are calculated on the aggregate score from three A Level Subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A Level subjects. Score from General Paper or language subject in the applicant's first language are excluded from the calculation. |
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| Norway | Vitnemal den Videregaende Skole | |
| Singapore | GCE Advanced Level Examination A Level results are calculated on the aggregate score from three A Level (H2) Subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A Level subjects. Score from General Paper or language subject in the applicant's first language are excluded from the calculation. |
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| Sweden | Slutbetyg or Avgangsbetyg | |
| People's Republic of China | The University of Adelaide converts the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) into a percentage score. For each program requirement, please refer to the Gaokao table by using the following calculation method: Your total score achieved in Gaokao divided by the maximum score published by the Department of Education in each province or city. For example: If you have achieved 525 in Gaokao from Tianjin, your percentage is 525 divided by the maximum score in Taijin 750, which gives a percentage score of 70%. The maximum score for each Chinese province/ city, are available at https://gaokao.chsi.com.cn/z/gkbmfslq/pcx.jsp |
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| Sri Lanka | GCE Advanced Level Examination A Level results are calculated on the aggregate score from three A Level Subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A Level subjects. Score from General Paper or language subject in the applicant's first language are excluded from the calculation. |
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| Thailand | Matayom 6 with Thailand Certificate of Secondary Education Successful completion of of Matayom 6 (Certification of Secondary Education). GPA on a 4-point scale where A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0 |
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| UK | GCE Advanced Level Examination A Level results are calculated on the aggregate score from three A Level Subjects where A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1 for A Level subjects. Score from General Paper or language subject in the applicant's first language are excluded from the calculation. |
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| Vietnam | Bang Tot Nghiep Trung |
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| Worldwide | International Baccalaureate |
Successful completion of foundation programs at other Australian universities is acceptable for entry to an undergraduate degree at the University of Adelaide (subject to meeting University of Adelaide entry requirements).
Foundation Studies Programs recognised by the University of Adelaide include but are not limited to:
- The University of Adelaide College
- Eynesbury College
- The University of Sydney
- Trinity College - University of Melbourne
- The University of Queensland
- Tuart and Canning Colleges - University of Western Australia
- The Australian National University
- The University of New South Wales
- Monash College - Monash University
- Academic Colleges Group - University of Auckland
- International Foundation Year (IFY) - Northern Consortium of UK Universities
Students who don't meet the academic requirements may be eligible to apply for a Pre-University Pathway to prepare for or gain entry into the University's undergraduate academic programs.
Some programs consider other selection criteria in addition to entry qualifications listed above. For example, music programs require applicants to undertake an audition, while medicine, oral health and dentistry applicants are required to undertake a selection test and, if successful, attend an oral assessment.
For current additional application requirements please refer to the "Admission and Fee Information" tab in Degree Finder for the desired course.
Applicants who have been offered a place in a program can apply to defer their enrolment in that program to the following year. Exceptions apply to some programs.
Some programs at the University of Adelaide have an advanced (double) mathematics prerequisite. Applicants must have passed the equivalent of SACE Stage 2 Mathematical Methods and SACE Stage 2 Specialist Mathematics to meet this double prerequisite.
This table shows the content of each prerequisite, to help you determine whether your Year 12 (final year) subject covers the relevant mathematic topics for entry:
| Mathematical Methods (‘Mathematics’) | Specialist Mathematics (‘Advanced Mathematics’) |
|---|---|
| Trigonometric functions | Mathematical induction |
| Logarithmic and exponential functions | Complex numbers |
| Differential calculus | Vectors in 2D and 3D |
| Integral calculus | Inverse functions and graph sketching |
| Probability | Further integration techniques |
| Statistics | Differential equations |
The following subjects have been assessed as meeting our Advanced Mathematics prerequisite*:
| Country | Qualifications |
|---|---|
| Worldwide | International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma |
| Foundation Programs | Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) Mathematics 1 and 2 not equivalent |
| Canada | Alberta High School Diploma Mathematics 31 British Columbia Senior Secondary Diploma No equivalents Nova Scotia High School Certificate No equivalents Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) MCV4U Calculus and Vectors Prince Edward Island High School Diploma Introductory Calculus |
| China | Gao Kao |
| Hong Kong | Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) |
| India | Andhra Pradesh Intermediate Public Exam No equivalents Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) 041 Mathematics Indian School Certificate (ISC) 860 Mathematics Karnataka Second Year Pre-University Mathematics Maharashtra Higher Secondary Certificate 40 Mathematics & Statistics Tamil Nadu Higher Secondary Certificate Mathematics Telengana Intermediate Public Exam Mathematics A and Mathematics B |
| Indonesia | Secondary School Certificate (SMA3) Mathematics |
| Kuwait | Secondary School Leaving Certificate No equivalents |
| Malaysia | Higher School Certificate (STPM) Further Mathematics T; or Mathematics T United Examination Certificate (UEC) Advanced Mathematics; or Advanced Mathematics I and II |
| New Zealand | NCEA Level 3 Calculus; or Maths with Calculus |
| Sri Lanka | General Certificate of Education (A Level) Combined Mathematics; or Mathematics |
| United States of America | Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB; or Calculus BC US High School Diploma with ACT or SAT Grade 12 subjects can be considered |
| Vietnam | Upper Secondary School Certificate Mathematics (Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thòng Trung Hoc) |
*If passed in the final year of secondary school. Year 11 equivalent subjects are not sufficient.
If your qualification is not listed, please upload a subject syllabus or outline with your application so the equivalency can be assessed, or enquire at start@adelaide.edu.au.
Postgraduate coursework
Entry to postgraduate coursework programs as a minimum requires a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification from an approved institution as a qualification for entry. Some of the graduate certificates and graduate diplomas that are offered may be accepted as qualifying work for entry to a Masters program, or as professional qualifications in their own right. For further information, please see Degree Finder.
Postgraduate research
The admission requirements for postgraduate research degrees are set out in the relevant set of academic program rules, however an overview of these requirements and other important information is provided in the Research Student Handbook.