English prerequisites

Part of the entry requirements into Curtin Singapore is English proficiency. The minimum English language requirements are outlined below.

Approved English proficiency test

English language testDiploma (Stage 1) Diploma (Stage 2) Undergraduate - Commerce/Information TechnologyUndergraduate - CommunicationsUndergraduate - NursingPostgraduate
IELTS Academic (International English Language Test System)5.5 (no band below 5.0)5.5 (no band below 5.5)
6.0 (no band below 6.0)*
6.0 (no band below 6.0)
6.5 (no band below 6.0)
7.0 (no band below 6.5)
6.5 (no band below 6.0)
7.0 (no band below 7.0^
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet Based Test)
TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition (where TOEFL iBT testing is not available in country)
52 (R4, L4, S14, W14)52 (R8, L7, S16, W18)
68 (R13, L12, S18, W21)*
68 (R13, L13, S18, W21)79 (R13, L13, S18, W21)94 (R20, L20, S20, W24)79 (R13, L13, S18, W21)
99 (R24, L24, S23, W27)^
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)54 (no score below 48)54 (no score below 54)
59 (no score less than 59)*
59 (no score less than 59) 69 (no score less than 59)76 (no score less than 69)69 (no score less than 59)
76 (no score less than 76)^
Pearson Versant English Placement Test50 (no score below 46)50 (no score below 50)
56 (no score less than 56)*
N/AN/AN/AN/A
C1 Advanced Overall Score
Cambridge English Scale scores for each skill
162 (No skill below 154)162 (No skill below 162)
162 (No skill below 169)*
169 (No skill below 169)176 (No skill below 169)185 (No skill below 176)176 (No skill below 169)
185 (No skill below 185)^
OET (Occupational English Test)--Calculated average score of all components 250
R:250
W:250
L:250
S:250
Calculated average score of all components 300
R:250
W:250
L:250
S:250
Calculated average score of all components 350
R:300
W:300
L:300
S:300
Calculated average score of all components 300
R:250
W:250
L:250
S:250

Calculated average score of all components 350^
R:350
W:350
L:350
S:350

* Minimum score for Curtin College Diploma of Arts and Creative Industries (Stage 2) program.

^Minimum score for Curtin University health sciences postgraduate programs.

Note: The test must have been undertaken within two years of application, however, they may be used for entry until the next immediate semester intake.

Acceptable secondary qualifications (English language proficiency for undergraduate course)

The results must have been released within five years of application, with the exception of GCSE, IGCSE, GCE AS and A Level, International Baccalaureate Diploma, and approved secondary qualifications undertaken and awarded in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Country/regionAccepted
qualifications
English requirementMust be
completed
within
5 years of
application
Non-country/region specificGCSE/IGCSE/GCE Ordinary Level GCE
Advanced Subsidiary Level
Grade C or better in one of the following subjects: English, English Literature, English Language, First Language English, English General Paper or English as Second LanguageNo
GCE Advanced LevelGrade E or better in one of the following subjects: English, English Literature, English Language, First Language English, English General Paper or English as Second LanguageNo
International Baccalaureate (IB) DiplomaGrade of 4 or above in one of the following subjects:
- English A: Literature (SL) or (HL);
- English A: Language and Literature (SL) or (HL);
- Literature and Performance (SL);
- English A1 (SL) or (HL);
- English A2 (SL) or (HL);
- English B (HL).
No
AustraliaWestern Australia Certificate of Education (WACE)A scaled mark of 50 or above in one of the following subjects:
- English ATAR (from 2016)
- Literature ATAR (from 2016)
- English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR (from 2016)
- Stage 2 or 3 English
- Stage 2 or 3 Literature
- Stage 2 or 3 English as an Additional
Language/Dialect (EALD)
- TEE English
- TEE English Literature
- TEE English as a Second Language (ESL)
No
CanadaHigh School Graduation Diploma (except Quebec)Grade of 60% or better in final year English subjectNo
DenmarkDanish upper secondary school (STX, HHX, and HF)English Level B - grade 7
English Level A - grade 4 from 2007
Yes
FinlandYlioppilastutkinto / Studentexamen (Matriculation Examination)Grade of “Cum laude approbatur” in English (Advanced)Yes
GermanyAbitur (Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife)Grade of 4 or better in English (refer to score stated in Block II: performance in school-leaving exams)Yes
Germany DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)B2 (4 stars) in meeting minimum English (i.e. IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.0); or with C 1 (5 stars) in meeting higher English criteria2 years
Hong KongHong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)Level 4 or above (4, 5, 5* or 5**) in the core subject English LanguageYes
IndiaIndian School Certificate; or All India Senior School Certificate60% in English subjectYes
MalaysiaSPM1119 Bahasa Inggeris with a grade of A and CEFR grade of B2Yes
NorwayVitnemål For
Videregående
Opplæring
Grade of 4 or better (4, 5 or 6) in English subjectYes
SingaporeSingapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level and A-LevelGrade of C or better in O-Level English, English Literature or English Language; General Paper (H1 Level) or Knowledge and Inquiry (H2 Level)No
Sri LankaSri Lankan General Certificate of Education Ordinary level or Advanced levelC (Credit Pass) in English, General EnglishYes
SwedenHögskoleförberedande Examen (from 2014)Grade C in English 6Yes
Avgångsbetyg / Slutbetyg (Prior to 2014)VG grade in English CYes
United StatesACTComposite Score of 21No
Advanced Placement (AP) examinationsA grade of 3 or higher in English Language and Composition; or English Literature and CompositionNo
SAT (test sat from 2016)A combined score of at least 1000 out of 1600 in the Evidence based Reading and Writing and Math in the SAT from the same sitting, with a minimum of 400 in Evidence-based Reading and Writing section and 400 in Math section.No

Acceptable vocational qualifications (English language proficiency for undergraduate course)

The following vocational qualifications must have been taught solely in English.

Australia

AQF Diploma, AQF Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree awarded by an Australian registered training organisation

Canada

Two year full-time Diploma, two year full-time Associate Degree awarded by a recognised institution

Singapore

Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Specialist Diploma awarded by a Polytechnic; Three year full-time Diploma awarded by BCA Academy

United Kingdom

Higher National Certificate; Higher National Diploma; Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Level 4 or 5 Diploma; National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 4 or 5 qualification; Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) level 4 or 5 qualification.

United States of America

Two year full-time Associate degree awarded by a regionally-accredited institution

 

Acceptable tertiary qualifications (English language proficiency for undergraduate course)

Undertaken in Australia

Successful completion of one semester full-time (equivalent to 0.5 EFTSL) of an undergraduate or
postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in Australia.

Undertaken outside of Australia

The following options must have been taught in English outside of Australia:

  • Successful completion of at least one semester full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom; or
  • Successful completion of at least one year full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in Canada, Singapore, South Africa or United States of America; or
  • Successful completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree from a recognised overseas University, assessed by Curtin University as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor or Master Degree in which Curtin University recognised English is the sole language of instruction. The degree must have been awarded within five years of application, with the exception of qualifications undertaken and awarded in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Acceptable tertiary qualifications (English language proficiency for postgraduate course)

Undertaken in Australia

Successful completion of one semester full-time (equivalent to 0.5 EFTSL) of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised university in Australia

Undertaken outside of Australia

The following options must have been taught in English outside of Australia:

  • Successful completion of at least one semester full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in New Zealand, Republic of Ireland or United Kingdom; or
  • Successful completion of at least one year full-time or equivalent of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree level study at a recognised University in Canada, Singapore, South Africa or United States of America; or
  • Successful completion of an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree from a recognised overseas University, assessed by Curtin University as comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor or Master Degree in which Curtin University recognised English is the sole language of instruction.

These entry requirements are a guide only and other evidence of English proficiency may be considered. Please be advised some courses have specific English requirement criteria, refer to the course page for specific entry requirement.

Students from countries not listed should contact the Admissions Office at Curtin Singapore on admissions@curtin.edu.sg for further details.

English programs

If you do not satisfy the English language requirements, you may be able to undertake an English program at Curtin Singapore prior to joining an academic program. English programs are delivered on campus by Navitas English.