Doctoral and MPhil Handbook

Policy changes - English language proficiency (Chapter 2.4)

Revised policy approved by Research Graduate School Committee at Meeting 6/2004 (9 July 2004).

Former policy

Sound English language skills are required for academic programs at Monash. If an applicant's first language is not English, the English language requirement must be satisfied in one or more of the
following ways:

An overall band score of not less than 6.5 on the IELTS test conducted by IDP and the British Council. In addition, a score of at least 6.0 is required in each band and applicants must
undertake the academic module in regard to reading and writing. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.ielts.org.

A score of 577 or more in the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 5.0 or more on the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE). Scores must be available for both TOEFL and TWE. For computer-based TOEFL, a score of 233 or more is required and a score of 5.0 or more achieved on the TOEFL Essay Rating (ER) is required.
Scores must be available for both TOEFL and ER. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.toefl.org.

Successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years' duration conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work, in a country
where English is a dominant language (attach evidence), together with, at the university's discretion, documentary evidence of recent diagnostic testing indicating an acceptable overall score on the IELTS test or the TOEFL as outlined in 1 or 2 respectively. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted.

An overall IELTS score of 6.0 (writing score of 6.0); or a TOEFL score of 550 with a TWE of 4.5 (computer-based TOEFL score of 213 with an ER of 4.5), together with successful completion of the 10-week Monash University English Language Bridging Program (ELBP). Applicants will
not be admitted to candidature until they have successfully completed the ELBP. (Scholarship applicants must show evidence of TOEFL or IELTS results as well as evidence of successful completion of the ELBP by the closing date to be eligible).

Please note that these are the minimum requirements and that some faculties may set additional prerequisites. Full documentary evidence in support of English proficiency must be submitted with
applications for candidature. Where an applicant's first language is not English or where degree qualifications were not undertaken in the English language, Monash reserves the right to seek further
documentary evidence of English proficiency.

Revised policy (changes have been highlighted in italics)

an overall band score of not less than 6.5 on the IELTS test conducted by IDP and the British Council. In addition, a score of at least 6.0 is required for each band score and applicants must undertake the academic module in regard to reading and writing. In the faculties of Arts and Law, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 (7.0 on writing module). In the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with individual band scores of 6.5. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.ielts.org.

a score of 577 (233 computer-based score) or more achieved in the American Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and a score of 5 or more on the TOEFL Test of Written English (TWE) or Essay Rating (ER). In the faculties of Arts and Law and the Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Medicine, a TOEFL score of 600 (250 computer-based score) and a score of 5.0 or more on the TWE or ER. Tests that are taken more than two years prior to application will not be accepted. Details can be found at www.toefl.org.

successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years' duration conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work, in a country where English is the official language. Evidence in the form of a letter or certificate issued by the university Registrar's office will need to be provided. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application. In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two-year period prior to application. Where studies have been conducted entirely in English and involving formal assessment of written work in a country where English is one of two or more official languages of that country, a case may be made to the Monash Research Graduate School Committee by the relevant department/faculty. The World Factbook located at www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/ lists the official languages of all countries.

successful completion of a course of tertiary studies of at least two years' duration at Monash's Malaysia or South Africa campus. Studies must be completed within the five-year period prior to application. In the faculties of Arts and Law, studies must be completed within the two-year period prior to application.

an overall IELTS score of 6.0 (writing score of 6.0); or a TOEFL score of 550 with a TWE of 4.5 (computer-based TOEFL score of 213 with an ER of 4.5), together with successful completion of the 10-week Monash University English Language Bridging Program (ELBP). Applicants will not be admitted to candidature until they have successfully completed the ELBP. (Scholarship applicants must have evidence of successful completion of the 10-week ELBP by the closing date for scholarships to be eligible).

Full documentary evidence in support of English proficiency must be submitted with applications for candidature. Where an applicant's first language is not English or where degree qualifications were not undertaken in the English language, Monash reserves the right to seek further documentary evidence of English proficiency.