Lismore, Australia
Southern Cross University: English test requirements
SCU publishes one table of comparable scores (IELTS, Cambridge, TOEFL iBT, PTE) and then lists the courses and pathways that sit above or below the usual level. The usual level for other courses is not on this page, so check the course page.
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
Foundation from 4.5
UG from 7.0
PG from 6.0
PhD 7.0
TOEFL iBT
Foundation from 32-34
UG 94
PG from 60
PhD Not on the list
PTE Academic
Foundation from 30
UG 65
PG from 50
PhD Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
Foundation Not on the list
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
PhD Not on the list
Pathways and diplomas
Academic and English language pathways as listed in the page variations table. Academic IELTS+ results must have been achieved within the last two years (page footnote).
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career Start (Study Abroad), 20 weeks Englishe.g. Career Start (Study Abroad) 20 weeksSource for this group | 4.5no band less than 4.0 | 32-34range given on the page | 30overall only | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
| Career Start (Study Abroad), 10 weeks Englishe.g. Career Start (Study Abroad) 10 weeksSource for this group | 5.0no band less than 4.5 | 35-45range given on the page | 36overall only | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
| Qualifying and diploma pathways (IELTS 5.5)e.g. Undergraduate Qualifying Program; Diploma of Business; Diploma of Science; Associate Degree of BusinessSource for this group | 5.5no band less than 5.0 | 46no writing or speaking score less than 17 and no reading or listening score less than 5 | 42no communicative score less than 36 | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
| Postgraduate Qualifying Programe.g. Postgraduate Qualifying ProgramSource for this group | 6.0no band less than 5.5 | 60no less than 17 in writing and speaking, no less than 11 in reading and listening | 50no communicative score less than 42 | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
Undergraduate (courses named on the page)
Only the courses with variations are shown. The default level for other undergraduate courses is not stated on this page; see each course page.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies), Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Midwifery, Social Work (IELTS 7.0, no band less than 7.0)e.g. Bachelor of Nursing; Bachelor of Occupational Therapy; Bachelor of Midwifery; Bachelor of Social Work; Bachelor of Clinical Sciences (Osteopathic Studies)Source for this group | 7.0no band less than 7.0 | 94no less than 25 in writing | 65no communicative score less than 65 | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
| Bachelor of Speech Pathologye.g. Bachelor of Speech PathologySource for this group | 8.0no band less than 8.0The page notes these courses cannot be packaged with English to reach the score. | Not on the listThe comparable-scores table on the page does not go up to IELTS 8.0. | Not on the listThe comparable-scores table on the page does not go up to IELTS 8.0. | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
Postgraduate coursework (courses named on the page)
Only the courses with variations are shown. The default level for other postgraduate courses is not stated on this page.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Businesse.g. Graduate Diploma in BusinessSource for this group | 6.5no band less than 6.0 | 79no score less than 21 for writing | 58no communicative score less than 50 | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
| Global Hotel Leadership (graduate certificate and diploma)e.g. Graduate Certificate of Business in Global Hotel Leadership; Graduate Diploma of Business in Global Hotel LeadershipSource for this group | 6.0no band less than 5.5 | 60no less than 17 in writing and speaking, no less than 11 in reading and listening | 50no communicative score less than 42 | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
| Graduate Certificate and Diploma in Accounting, MBA, Global Hotel Leadership (Master), Computing, Engineering Management/MBA, Professional Accounting (IELTS 6.5 overall)e.g. Master of Business Administration; Master of Professional Accounting; Master of Computing; Graduate Certificate in Accounting; Graduate Diploma in Accounting; Master of Business in Global Hotel Leadership; Master of Engineering Management/Master of Business AdministrationSource for this group | 6.5overall score stated, no section minimum given | Not on the listThe page states only an IELTS overall for these courses. | Not on the listThe page states only an IELTS overall for these courses. | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
Research (course named on the page)
Only the doctorate named on the page is shown.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor of Indigenous Philosophiese.g. Doctor of Indigenous PhilosophiesSource for this group | 7.0writing 7.0 and all other bands no less than 6.5 | Not on the listOnly an IELTS figure is stated. | Not on the listOnly an IELTS figure is stated. | Not on the listDuolingo is not listed on the page. |
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency / C1 Advanced (scale scores in the comparable-scores table)
- International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISPLR)
- CEFR B2 (for the 6.0 level)
“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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