Exams for MS in Australia: Universities, Eligibility & Deadline

Australia is home to numerous international students – 619,371, to be precise. The government statistics show that there has been a rise of 8% in the number of international students in just one year- from December 2021 to December 2022. This exhibits the increasing preference of students for Australian universities, implying a high competition for admissions too. Getting accepted into Australian universities requires a decent academic record and scores on specific standardized tests. 

This article delves into the accepted exams for MS in Australia – their fees, eligibility, minimum required scores, the application process, etc. 

List of Exams Accepted for Master’s Degree in Australia

Australian entrance exams for MS courses include English proficiency exams and subject-specific exams. Here is a list of exams  accepted in Australia:

Name of the Exam	Fees*	Eligibility	Validity of Scores	Exam Dates	Application Process	Minimum Score Required
TOEFL– Test of English as a Foreign Language	US$195 (for Indian students)	No minimum or maximum age limit. No restrictions on educational qualifications.	Two years	It can be taken anytime. Regular registration can be done seven days before the test.	Go to https://www.ets.org  and select TOFEL and sign in to create an account. Then click  ‘Register for Test’, select test date, and book the slot.	46
IELTS– International English Language Testing System	₹15,500 (approximately US$187)	Minimum age of 16 years is required to take the test.	Two years	The exam is conducted on multiple dates every month.	Go to the official website of IELTS. Click ‘Register for the test.’ Select the preferred test mode- Online or Offline. Then, choose the test type you want to apply for, i.e., General Training Test or the Academic test.	5.5
PTE- Pearson Test English	₹15900 (approximately US$192)	Students appearing for the exam must be 16- year-old. Also, candidates below 18 must give a parental consent form to write the exam.	Two years. For Australian immigration, the scores are considered valid for three years.	The exam is conducted on multiple dates throughout the year.	Go to https://in.pearson.com and create your account. Then choose PTE Academic. The account will be activated within 48 hours. Browse through the list of exam centers and choose one near you. Select your preferred exam date and time to book your seat.	42
Occupational English Test (OET)	AU $587, US $455 (only for those taking the computer-based exam in the US)	No minimum requirements. Anyone willing to work in healthcare can take the exam.	Depends on the Regulatory Authority that governs your profession.	Conducted on different dates throughout the year.	The test can be booked only through a computer/laptop and not a mobile device. Go to booking.oet-global.com and create your OET account if you are visiting for the first time.  Choose your location and test date. Keep the acceptable ID and credit card ready and follow the instructions.	B for each component
Cambridge C1 Advanced test	The exam fee depends on which exam you take and where you take it. You can get more information from your chosen examination center.	There is no age or other restrictions on who can take the exam.	Scores are valid for a lifetime. For an Australian student visa, you must have taken the exam up to two years before the application.	The exam is conducted on different dates throughout the year.	Go to the official website and choose C1 Advanced from the ‘Exams and tests’ tab (https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/advanced/). Click ‘Book an exam’. Find an exam center by choosing your location and city. Choose the exam type and book the exam for your preferred date.	162 in each component
GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test	US$275 for the exam at a test center and US$300 for the online exam.	Minimum age of 18 years	Five years	The exam is conducted throughout the year	The candidates can register for the exam on the official website.	550 (600+ score is preferred)
MCAT – Medical College Admission Test	US$330 (US$120 is additionally charged from international students)	The candidates must be pursuing or have completed MBBS.	Three years (but individual university application guidelines may differ)	Conducted multiple times from January and March through September.	The candidates must visit the official website of AAMC (https://students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam ) and create an AAMC account for registration.	123 in each section
LSAT – Law School Admission Test	US$215	No age limit	Five years (for international students)	The test is generally conducted in January and June sessions. Registration for the June 2023 LSAT ends on April 25, 2023.	The candidates must register online for an LSAC account, submit the application form, and pay the fees on the official website.	The criteria vary from university to university. LAT scores are generally combined with academic results.

*as mentioned on the respective exam’s official website.

The above scores indicate the minimum scores of the entrance exams required to obtain an Australian student visa (subclass 500). The scores may differ for various programs and universities. Therefore, you must check the specific minimum score requirement of the universities you are applying to. 

List of Australian Universities Accepting These Exams: 

Below is a list of the Australian universities that accept the scores of the above-mentioned competitive exams.

Name of the University	QS World University Rankings 2023**
Australian National University	30
The University of Western Australia	90
The University of Sydney	41
The University of Queensland	50
The University of Melbourne	33
Curtin University	193
The University of Newcastle	192
The University of Adelaide	109
Monash University	57
Macquarie University	195
University of Wollongong	185

**www.topuniversities.com 

Studying in Australia Without IELTS or TOEFL

Although IELTS/ TOEFL are the most widely used English language proficiency tests considered for selection criteria at universities in Australia, certain universities consider applications even without IELTS or TOEFL if you meet their other criterias or circumstances. Below is a list of universities that allow you to study in Australia without IELTS or TOEFL.

1. The University of Queensland
2. The University of Adelaide
3. Bond University
4. The Swinburne University of Technology
5. Macquarie University
6. The University of New South Wales
7. Victoria University

Name of the University	Conditions on which They Accept Applications Without IELTS/TOEFL***
The University of Queensland	If you got high grades in English in your previous education or have received other acceptable English test certificates. You can also be considered if your working experience is in a native English-speaking environment.
The University of Adelaide	If your application is otherwise strong, you can sit for an English language preparatory course to let your application be considered without IELTS/TOEFL. This course usually spans one academic year or two semesters. If you fail to pass this exam, it will also impact your regular course.
Bond University	The University also accepts other English proficiency exams like C1 Advanced and PTE. Your application can be considered if you can exhibit strong evidence of your English knowledge.
The Swinburne University of Technology	A good score in other English tests like PTE Academic, Common European Framework, and VCE English can also be considered for your application. You can also enroll in a preparatory English course at the university to study without IELTS/TOEFL.
Macquarie University	The university also accepts scores of PTE Academic, Cambridge English Advanced, Cambridge English: Proficiency, and Occupational English Test.
The University of New South Wales	You have multiple options at this university. You can submit scores of tests like the Pearson Test of English Academic, Cambridge English Advanced, and Cambridge English: Proficiency. If you have not taken any of these tests, you also have the option to show your scores in relevant English tests during your previous education. Your application can also be considered without IELTS/ TOEFL if you have worked for at least two years in a native English-speaking environment.
Victoria University	The university also accepts scores of the Pearson Test of English Academic, the Cambridge English Advanced, and the Cambridge English – First Certificate in English.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to seek admission into an Australian university, start preparing for these exams to earn the desired scores and get admission into your preferred university.