English language requirements

If you have successfully completed secondary education (equivalent to Australian Senior Certificate of Education), and it was taught and assessed in English in one of the following countries, you are not required to submit an English language test with your application:  

American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada, Cameroon, Cook Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana*, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya*, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria*, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

* Qualifications for the noted countries are valid for 48 months prior to the commencement of the Bond program. 

The successful completion of post-secondary studies in English may also be accepted as evidence of English language proficiency.  

I have completed at least one-year full-time equivalent at a post-secondary level  

You may meet our English language requirements if you have successfully completed at least one year full-time equivalent studies at a post-secondary level (equivalent to an Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV or above) that was taught and assessed in English in one of the countries listed below, where English is the first language.  

Please note that incomplete qualifications are only valid for 24 months and qualifications for the countries noted below with * are valid for 48 months prior to the commencement of your Bond program.  

American Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada, Cameroon, Cook Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana*, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya*, Kiribati, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria*, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland), United States of America, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

I have completed at least one semester full-time equivalent at a post-secondary level

For entry to programs with an IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent, applicants can demonstrate their English language proficiency if:

• They have have successfully completed at least one semester full-time equivalent; 
• At any accredited onshore Australian university; and
• At Australian Qualifications Framework bachelor level or above.  

Please note this is not applicable for programs with an IELTS 7.0 or equivalent. Incomplete qualifications are only valid for 24 months.

Other studies  

If your post-secondary qualifications do not meet the above criteria, letters confirming completion of undergraduate studies in an institution where English is the sole language of instruction and assessment may be considered. Acceptance of these letters will be at the discretion of Bond University.

Bond recognises a number of approved English language tests, and results from these tests can be used as evidence of English language proficiency for the purposes of proficiency.  

Approved English language tests include:  

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic
• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
• C1 Advanced

Please note that approved English language test results must be no older than 24 months when the applicant commences their program.

We recognise a number of other qualifications, depending on the level of study you are applying for.  

For study abroad and exchange, undergraduate, diploma and Foundation Program applicants

• International
  • General Certificate of Education Advanced Level* grade of C in one of the following subjects:
    • AS or A Level General Paper
    • AS or A Level General Studies
    • AS or A level English Language
    • AS or A level English Literature
    • AS or A level English Language and Literature
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) / General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) O level International GCSE (IGCSE)*. A grade of C or better (or 4 or better) in:
    • English Language
    • English Literature
    • English as a Second Language
  • International Baccalaureate grade of 4 or better in: Language A – Literature, or Language A – Language and Literature (previously English A1 and English A2) at HL or SL. A grade of 5 or better in: Language B (previously English B) at HL or SL.
  • USA Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations English AP a pass in English (Grade 3).
• Canada
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma, a grade of 60% in the final year
  • British Colombia Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma, a grade of 60% in the final year
• Denmark – Studentereksamen: minimum grade of 4 in English A (oral and written) or a minimum grade of 7 in English B (oral and written) in the Upper Secondary School qualification STX, HHX, HTX or HFX (HF).
• Finland – Lukionpaastotodistus: English grade of 8 or above in the Upper Secondary Examination.
• Germany - Abitur: English grade of 3 or better (1 highest). DAAD test with an A or B (the top two levels) in each category OR a grade of 5 stars (*****) in each category.
• Ghana^ – Grade of C6 or better from the West African Education Council (WAEC) or West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE).
• Hong Kong^ – Diploma of Secondary Education: minimum grade of 4 in the subject, English. For Foundation and Diploma entry, Diploma of Secondary Education: minimum grade of 3 in the subject, English.
• India
  • Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) English subject grade of B1 or better (65% or greater);
  • Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) English subject grade of three or better (65% or greater);
  • English subject grade of 65% or greater for the following State Board Secondary Education exit awards:
    • Pre-University Certificate from the Karnataka Board of Pre-University Education
    • Higher Secondary certificate from the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education
    • Higher Secondary certificate from the Tamil Nadu Board of Higher Secondary Education
    • Higher Secondary Examination Certificate from Government of Kerala Board of Higher Secondary Examinations
    • Higher Secondary Examination from West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education
• Kenya^ – Grade of C6 or better from the Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KSCE).
• Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM): Pass grade or better for English Language 1119.
• Netherlands – VWO: Pass English at secondary school.
• Nigeria^ – Grade of C6 or better from the West African Education Council (WAEC).
• Norway – Vitnemal: English grade of 4 or higher in Upper Secondary.
• Singapore
  • Successfully completed Polytechnic Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
  • Singapore-Cambridge A-Level subject grade of C or better in General Paper, or Knowledge and Inquiry subject; or Grade C or better in H2 English Language and Linguistics, or Literature in English.
• Sweden – Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg: English A or English B score of C on their matriculation certificate.

* (Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority. Independent and school‐assessed A Levels are not sufficient).

^ Applicants who have completed schooling in Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, and Nigeria must have graduated high school within 24 months of commencing their program of study.

For postgraduate applicants:  

• International
  • General Certificate of Education Advanced Level* grade of C in one of the following 
    subjects:
    • AS or A Level General Paper
    • AS or A Level General Studies
    • AS or A level English Language
    • AS or A level English Literature
    • AS or A level English Language and Literature
  • General Certificate of Education (GCE)/General Certificate of Secondary Education 
    (GCSE) O level International GCSE (IGCSE)*. A grade C or better (or 4 or better) in:
    • English Language
    • English Literature
    • English as a Second Language
  • International Baccalaureate grade of 4 or better in: › Language A – Literature, or › Language A – Language and Literature (previously English A1 and English A2) at HL or SL. A grade of 5 or better in: › Language B (previously English B) at HL or SL.
  • USA Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations English AP a pass in English (Grade 3).
• Canada
  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma a grade of 60% in the final year
  • British Colombia Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma a grade of 60% in the final year
• Denmark – Studentereksamen: minimum grade of 4 in English A (oral and written) or a minimum grade of 7 in English B (oral and written) in the Upper Secondary School qualification STX, HHX, HTX or HFX (HF).
• Finland – Lukionpaastotodistus: English grade of 8 or above in the Upper Secondary Examination.
• Germany - Abitur: English grade of 3 or better (1 highest). DAAD test with an A or B (the top two levels) in each category OR a grade of 5 stars (*****) in each category.
• Malaysia – Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM): Pass grade or better for English Language 1119.
• Netherlands – VWO: Pass English at secondary school. Nigeria^ – Grade of C6 or better from the West African Education Council (WAEC).
• Norway – Vitnemal: English grade of 4 or higher in Upper Secondary.
• Singapore
  • Successfully completed Polytechnic Diploma or Advanced Diploma.
  • Singapore-Cambridge A-Level subject grade of C or better in General Paper, or Knowledge and Inquiry subject; or Grade C or better in H2 English Language and Linguistics, or Literature in English.
• Sweden – Avgangsbetyg/Slutbetyg: English A or English B score of C on their matriculation certificate.

* (Must be endorsed by CIE, OCR, Edexcel, AQA or other UK authority. Independent and school‐assessed A Levels are not sufficient) 

If you have studied at an overseas international secondary school that was part of an international schools association (for example, the Council of International Schools or the International Schools Association), and the full medium of instruction was English, this may be used as evidence to demonstrate English language proficiency.  

For schools that are part of an accredited international association, the language of instruction may be verified on the school website.  

For schools that are not members, then, you will be required to submit a letter from the principal (or other relevant school authority staff member) certifying that English is the language of instruction unless evidence to that effect is located on the transcripts.

If you have completed an Academic English Program at another Australian institution, please provide evidence of this for entry to your preferred program. Some Bond programs require the equivalent to IELTS 6.5 and 7.0 with set minimum bands. 

For Bond programs requiring the equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0) and IELTS 6.5 (6.5 Writing and no other band less than 6.0): 

For Bond programs requiring the equivalent to IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5) and IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 7.0). This does not apply to the AHPRAregistered programs.