Townsville, Australia
James Cook University: English test requirements
James Cook University places every coursework degree in an English language band (P, 1, 2, 3a, 3b, 3c) shown on its international course pages, with one score table for all bands. Duolingo is not in the table.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG from 5.5
PG from 6.0
TOEFL iBT
UG from 56
PG from 74
PTE Academic
UG from 46
PG from 52
Duolingo English Test
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Undergraduate
One policy table sets scores for six bands; each international course page states its band. The policy page shows its approval date as 29 April 2019. The entry page says tests must be taken at an approved test centre; it gives no validity period. Examples are courses whose JCU international page names the band (some course pages, for example nursing and education, do not show a band and are left out).
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band Pe.g. Diploma of Business [Pathway]; Diploma of Engineering [Pathway]; Diploma of Information Technology [Pathway]Source for this group | 5.5no component lower than 5.0 | 56no component less than 16 | 46no component less than 42 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 1e.g. Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Business; Bachelor of Commerce; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours); Bachelor of Information TechnologySource for this group | 6.0no component lower than 6.0 | 74no component less than 18 | 52no component less than 52 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 2e.g. Bachelor of Laws; Bachelor of Human ServicesSource for this group | 6.5no component lower than 6.0 | 86no component less than 21 | 58no component less than 54 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 3ae.g. Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours); Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) [Embedded]; Bachelor of PhysiotherapySource for this group | 7.0no component lower than 6.5 | 94no component less than 23 | 65no component less than 58 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 3be.g. Bachelor of Dental SurgerySource for this group | 7.07.0 in three components and 6.5 in one component | 9423 in Speaking, 24 in Listening and Reading, 27 in Writing | 6565 in three components and 58 in one component | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 3ce.g. Bachelor of Social Work; Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) [Embedded]Source for this group | 7.0no component lower than 7.0 | 9423 in Speaking, 24 in Listening and Reading, 27 in Writing | 65no component less than 65 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
“Online mode tests including TOEFL Home Edition, IELTS online, and IELTS Indicator are not recognised.”
Admissions Policy, Schedule II: English language requirements
Postgraduate coursework
The same band table applies to postgraduate coursework; each international course page states its band. Examples come from course pages that name the band.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band 1e.g. Master of Science; Master of Engineering (Professional); Master of Global Development; Graduate Certificate of Cyber SecuritySource for this group | 6.0no component lower than 6.0 | 74no component less than 18 | 52no component less than 52 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 2e.g. Master of Business Administration; Master of Information Technology; Master of Public Health; Master of Professional Accounting; Master of EducationSource for this group | 6.5no component lower than 6.0 | 86no component less than 21 | 58no component less than 54 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 3ae.g. Juris Doctor; Master of Health Professional Education; Master of Lifestyle Medicine; Master of Rural Generalist PracticeSource for this group | 7.0no component lower than 6.5 | 94no component less than 23 | 65no component less than 58 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
| Band 3ce.g. Master of Professional Psychology; Master of Psychology (Clinical); Master of Social Work (Professional Qualifying)Source for this group | 7.0no component lower than 7.0 | 9423 in Speaking, 24 in Listening and Reading, 27 in Writing | 65no component less than 65 | Not on the listThe policy table does not list it. |
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency (Bands P, 1 and 2)
- ISLPR (Bands P and 1)
- OET for selected undergraduate health courses
- AEMG English for Academic Purposes Direct Entry Program final exam
- JCU English for Academic Purposes (EAP) levels
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL Home Edition
- IELTS Online
- IELTS Indicator
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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