For admission to a University of South Australia program, international applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds are expected to be proficient in English, as demonstrated by:

  • Passing an approved test or
  • Completing an Academic English program or
  • Meeting an approved alternative requirement

The following English tests are accepted by the University of South Australia

  • IELTS – Academic
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
  • Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – PBT and iBT
  • University of Cambridge – ESOL Examinations for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CEP) or the Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
  • Occupational English Test (OET) - accepted for Health Science programs

Please view our English Language Comparison Table for more detailed information. In most cases, tests are valid for two years.

If you do not meet our English language entry requirements, you may undertake an English language pathway program at The Centre for English Language at the University of South Australia (CELUSA), who partner with UniSA in Adelaide, South Australia, or another University of South Australia approved provider.

CELUSA offers the Academic English (AE) program  for students planning to study at an Australian education institution and is the preferred language provider for the University of South Australia. Students will study between 10 and 30 weeks, based on a formal assessment of their English level, their academic course commencement date and their chosen program’s English language entry requirements.

CELUSA CRICOS provider code: 02193C

To apply for a CELUSA/University of South Australia package, you need to:

  • Step one:
    Submit your application to the University of South Australia
  • Step two:
    Request a CELUSA package by selecting 'I would like the University to arrange an English language program for me', under the English Proficiency section of the application form.
  • Step three:
    To determine the duration of your English language program, upload your previous English test results (even if they do not meet the entry requirement) or request a free online CELUSA Placement Test.

UniSA will then issue you with a CELUSA and University of South Australia packaged offer. Once you go through the acceptance process for your offer, UniSA will issue your CELUSA and UniSA CoEs.

The University of South Australia also accepts English for Academic Purposes 20 (064266M) or English for Academic Purposes Advanced (086001K) offered by pathway provider, Technical and Further Education SA (TAFE SA) in Adelaide, South Australia, for entry into a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

To apply for a TAFE SA/University of South Australia package, you need to submit an application to TAFE SA.

TAFE SA CRICOS provider code: 00092B    RTO code: 41026 / IHE code: PRV14002

In almost all cases, students applying to the University of South Australia will not need to take the IELTS or other English language test if they successfully complete one of the above English language programs at the appropriate level.

For program specific academic and English entry requirements, please check your program information page.