The Deakin University PTE requirement for many undergraduate and postgraduate degrees is 60 overall in PTE Academic, with no skill below 52. Some courses accept lower scores, while others, particularly Nursing and teacher education, have their own English conditions.
On This Page
- Current Deakin PTE Scores
- Which Deakin Courses Require PTE 52 or 60?
- Associate degrees and pathway study
- Nursing Has a Different PTE Score Pattern
- Teaching, Speech Pathology and Other Professional Courses
- Why professional accreditation matters
- How Long Is a PTE Result Valid at Deakin?
- Can Previous Study Meet Deakin’s English Requirement?
- 1. Previous schooling
- 2. University study and work experience
- Deakin English Language Institute Pathways
- Deakin Admission Scores and Australian Student Visa English
- Submitting PTE Academic Results to Deakin
- Preparing for the English Score Your Course Needs
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Deakin’s current admission table is different from the scores shown in some older course guides. Students preparing for an upcoming intake should use the latest university requirements rather than assume the previous PTE 50 or 60 thresholds still apply in the same way.
Current Deakin PTE Scores
Deakin uses several English proficiency levels across its associate degrees, undergraduate programs, postgraduate coursework and research degrees.
The university’s published PTE Academic equivalents are:
| English entry level | Overall | Minimum in each skill |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS 5.5 equivalent | 43 | 43 |
| IELTS 6.0 equivalent | 52 | 52 |
| IELTS 6.5 equivalent | 60 | 52 |
| IELTS 7.0, minimum 6.5 each | 66 | 60 |
| IELTS 7.0, minimum 7.0 each | 66 | 66 |
| IELTS 8.0, minimum 8.0 each | 79 | 79 |
These are English equivalence levels, not a promise that every course within a particular faculty accepts the same score.
The official Deakin English language requirements provide the current table.
A student with 65 overall and 50 in Writing would still miss a course requiring the 60/52 standard. Both the overall result and the individual skill minimums have to be met.
Which Deakin Courses Require PTE 52 or 60?
The Deakin PTE requirement depends on the course’s published IELTS-equivalent English level.
Many bachelor’s and master’s programs use the 6.5-equivalent standard, corresponding to PTE 60 overall with at least 52 in each skill. Other courses use the 6.0-equivalent level, which requires 52 in all four skills as well as 52 overall.
This is not a strict division between undergraduate and postgraduate study. A postgraduate course does not automatically require a higher score than every bachelor’s degree.
Deakin publishes the applicable requirement on its individual course pages. The international entry requirements page explains how applicants can find the conditions for their chosen degree.
Associate degrees and pathway study
Deakin’s lowest published PTE equivalence is 43 overall with at least 43 in each skill, corresponding to IELTS 5.5.
Some associate-degree and pathway applicants may be assessed against this level. However, a PTE 43 result should not be assumed sufficient for every associate degree or foundation pathway.
The actual qualification and its admission conditions determine which English level applies.
Nursing Has a Different PTE Score Pattern
Nursing is one of the clearest exceptions to Deakin’s general English table. The current Bachelor of Nursing international course page lists:
| PTE Academic | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 63 |
| Listening | 58 |
| Reading | 59 |
| Writing | 60 |
| Speaking | 76 |
These scores are aligned with the relevant nursing English standards. Deakin also requires nursing applicants to complete the applicable English language self-declaration as part of its admission process.
The Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Midwifery publishes the same PTE test scores.
Notice the difference from a general Deakin degree: Speaking is substantially higher, even though the overall minimum is only 63. An applicant preparing for Nursing should not rely on the university-wide 60/52 score.
Teaching, Speech Pathology and Other Professional Courses
Some Deakin degrees have higher English requirements because graduates must meet professional standards or complete placements involving direct communication with clients, students or patients.
Deakin specifically identifies the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood), Master of Teaching (Primary), Master of Teaching (Secondary) and Master of Speech Pathology as postgraduate programs with additional English conditions.
The university’s general equivalence table includes higher PTE levels such as 66 overall with 60 or 66 per skill, and 79 in every skill. These are reference levels, not confirmed scores for each of those programs.
If professional accreditation is needed, applicants should refer to the English requirements provided on the respective course page.
Why professional accreditation matters
A university may accept an English test for ordinary admission while a professional body imposes additional conditions for registration or placement. Nursing is a clear example, but similar distinctions can arise in education and allied health. For these courses, the English test should be chosen with the entire qualification pathway in mind, not only the general university entry table.
How Long Is a PTE Result Valid at Deakin?
Deakin normally requires English tests to have been completed within two years before the course starts, unless the applicable program specifies otherwise.
The course commencement date deserves attention if you plan to defer your admission. A PTE result may have been recent enough when you began applying but become too old for a later intake. Students holding older results should confirm their validity before accepting a new commencement date.
Can Previous Study Meet Deakin’s English Requirement?
The Deakin English requirement for PTE is only one way to demonstrate language proficiency. Deakin recognises several types of previous education, including eligible secondary qualifications and completed vocational or university study. The evidence required depends on the course level and the English standard attached to it.
1. Previous schooling
International applicants who completed schooling in a Deakin-recognised English-speaking country may qualify through their education history. For the relevant schooling pathway, Deakin requires at least six years of primary or secondary education delivered and assessed in English, including at least two years at secondary or senior secondary level.
Deakin also publishes country-specific secondary school English results. Certain Indian Year 12 qualifications, for example, can satisfy its IELTS 6.0-equivalent admission level where the specified marks and other conditions are met. That does not automatically qualify an applicant for a degree requiring IELTS 6.5 or higher.
2. University study and work experience
Another way may be to have finished and assessed previous tertiary study in English. Deakin also considers some qualifications and qualifying work or residency experience in approved English-speaking countries for postgraduate and honours applications. The university may ask for transcripts, documents that show your qualifications or evidence that you use English regularly.
These routes are described in Deakin’s official English evidence requirements.
Deakin English Language Institute Pathways
Students who fall below the direct-entry score may have an alternative through the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI).
DUELI offers English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programs. Successful completion of an eligible level can satisfy the English requirement for many Deakin degrees.
| Intended English entry level | Recognised DUELI EAP completion |
|---|---|
| IELTS 5.5 equivalent | EAP Level 2, 60% |
| IELTS 6.0 equivalent | EAP Level 3, 60% |
| IELTS 6.5 equivalent | EAP Level 4, 60% |
| IELTS 7.0, minimum 6.5 each | EAP Level 4, 70% |
| IELTS 7.0, minimum 7.0 each | EAP Level 4, 75% |
These are completion requirements for approved English pathways, not PTE exam results. Not all professionally approved courses follow the same EAP route. The specific Deakin course rules still apply.
Deakin Admission Scores and Australian Student Visa English
The PTE score for Deakin University admission is separate from the score required for an Australian Student visa. For PTE Academic tests taken from 7 August 2025, the standard Student visa English-test threshold is generally 47 overall, subject to Home Affairs’ conditions and any applicable exceptions.
A student might satisfy that visa threshold but remain below Deakin’s 60-overall requirement for a particular degree. PTEClasses explains the immigration side in its PTE for Student Visa guide. The Department of Home Affairs Student visa page is the official reference for the visa requirements.
Submitting PTE Academic Results to Deakin
If you use PTE Academic for Deakin admission, provide an official Pearson result rather than a mock-test score or practice report. Your application may also require academic transcripts, previous qualifications and other documents relevant to your degree. Deakin can assess English proficiency alongside those admission conditions.
If you receive a conditional offer, follow the instructions for satisfying the outstanding English requirement before the applicable deadline. Applicants who have taken PTE more than once should ensure that the result supplied is the correct eligible attempt.
Preparing for the English Score Your Course Needs
The preparation target should follow the actual course requirement. For a program requiring 60 overall with no skill below 52, a candidate whose Writing score remains below 52 has a different problem from a Nursing applicant trying to reach 76 in Speaking.
Rather than practising every skill equally, identify the component preventing you from meeting your intended course’s minimum. The PTEClasses PTE Practice Questions platform can be used for task-specific practice, while the PTE Score Calculator helps review practice performance against a chosen target. These resources support preparation; Deakin relies on accepted official evidence for admission.
Final Thoughts
Deakin University’s PTE requirement is 60 overall, with no communicative skill below 52 for several degrees. Other courses employ different English levels, and Nursing has a separate score pattern related to professional requirements. The best way is to check the English standard required for the Deakin course you want to do before deciding on the PTE score you need to aim for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
Does Deakin accept PTE Core?
Deakin’s accepted English-test list specifies PTE Academic. PTE Core is not listed as an equivalent for its general admission requirements.
Can I combine PTE scores from two attempts?
Please be aware that Deakin’s general English admittance table does not permit the blanket combination of individual scores from distinct PTE tests. If no course-specific arrangement is confirmed by Deakin, a whole result that fulfils the required scores will be accepted.
Can I apply to Deakin before receiving my PTE result?
A conditional offer may be available based on the degree and the conditions of application. Any outstanding English requirements must be met under the terms of the offer.
Is the English requirement different for Deakin College?
Deakin College has its own foundation and diploma entry requirements. A score accepted for a College pathway should not be assumed sufficient for direct entry to a Deakin University degree.
Can I use a PTE result taken outside Australia?
An eligible PTE Academic result from an authorised overseas test centre can be used for admission, subject to Deakin’s score, validity and verification requirements.
Does Deakin accept PTE Academic UKVI?
Deakin’s general English-test guidance names PTE Academic. Applicants holding a UKVI-labelled result should confirm acceptance of that particular test report with Deakin before relying on it.
