Melbourne, Australia
Victoria University: English test requirements
Victoria University sets English scores by level (foundation and diploma, certificate, bachelor, postgraduate) and then lists individual courses that need more, mostly as IELTS plus a VU English level. Tests should normally be no more than two years old, and Duolingo is not listed.
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 5.5
UG from 6.0
PG from 6.5
TOEFL iBT
Foundation 55
UG from 67
PG 79
PTE Academic
Foundation 46
UG from 52
PG 60
Duolingo English Test
Foundation Not on the list
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Foundation and diploma
Shown as printed in the first column of the guide table. Tests should be taken no more than two years before the start date. The web page says TOEFL iBT reports must show overall and section scores on the 0-120 scale.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Foundations (Standard and Extended), Diploma (VDIT, VDBE)Source for this group | 5.5no band less than 5.0 | 55no section below: Listening 9, Speaking 16, Reading 10, Writing 18 | 46no section below 41 | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
“You must take a recognised English language test no more than two years before you start your course.”
Guide to English Language Requirements (PDF)
Undergraduate (bachelor and below)
The guide gives one set of scores for bachelor degrees, one for certificate and diploma courses, and a table of named courses with higher IELTS requirements. The higher-requirement table gives only IELTS and a VU English level, so other tests are shown as not listed for those courses. The web page says TOEFL iBT results must be on the 0-120 scale.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor degree (standard)Source for this group | 6.0no band less than 6.0 | 67no section below: Listening 12, Speaking 18, Reading 15, Writing 21 | 52no section below 52 | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Certificate III, Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced DiplomaSource for this group | 6.0no band less than 5.5 | 67no section below: Listening 10, Speaking 16, Reading 10, Writing 18 | 52no section below 46 | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 6.0, no band below 6.0e.g. Diploma of Education StudiesSource for this group | 6.0Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 6.5, no band below 6.0e.g. Bachelor of Early Childhood Education; Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Leadership; Bachelor of Psychological Studies (Honours); Bachelor of Laws; Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)Source for this group | 6.5Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 7.0, 6.5 in each skille.g. Bachelor of BiomedicineSource for this group | 7.0Listening 6.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 6.5 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: Bachelor of Nursinge.g. Bachelor of NursingSource for this group | 7.0Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 7.0 with 7.5 in two skillse.g. Bachelor of Education (P-12)Source for this group | 7.0Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 7.0, 7.0 in each skille.g. Bachelor of Social WorkSource for this group | 7.0Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
Postgraduate coursework and research
The guide groups postgraduate coursework and Higher Degree by Research in one column. The web page lists graduate certificates and diplomas, masters and research degrees at the same scores. Named courses with higher requirements follow.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate coursework degree (standard)Source for this group | 6.5no band less than 6.0 | 79no section below: Listening 19, Speaking 19, Reading 18, Writing 22 | 60no section below 52 | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 7.0 with 7.5 in two skillse.g. Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education; Master of Counselling; Master of Teaching (Primary Education); Master of Teaching (Secondary Education)Source for this group | 7.0Listening 7.5, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.5 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: Master of Educatione.g. Master of EducationSource for this group | 7.0Listening 7.0, Reading 6.5, Writing 6.5, Speaking 7.0 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
| Higher requirement: IELTS 7.0, 7.0 in each skille.g. Master of Clinical Exercise Science and RehabilitationSource for this group | 7.0Listening 7.0, Reading 7.0, Writing 7.0, Speaking 7.0 | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe higher-requirement course table lists only IELTS and a VU English level. | Not on the listThe page and guide do not mention it. |
Other tests the university lists
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE): 169 bachelor, 176 postgraduate
- Cambridge B2 First (guide only)
- VU English for Academic Purposes (EAP) levels
“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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