Macquarie University PTE requirement is 60 overall with minimum Reading 51, Writing 55, Listening 50 and Speaking 54 for most of the bachelor and postgraduate degrees. These scores have been in place since March 2026, replacing the university’s previous 58 overall requirement.
On This Page
- Macquarie University PTE Scores by Course Level
- Why Older Macquarie Guides Mention PTE 58
- Undergraduate Degrees With Higher English Requirements
- 1. Law and Clinical Science
- 2. Education
- PTE Scores for Postgraduate Programs
- 1. Master of Business Administration
- 2. Medicine, Physiotherapy and Psychology
- Is PTE 58 Still Accepted?
- Can You Apply Without Taking PTE?
- English Pathways Through Macquarie University College
- How Long Is a PTE Result Valid?
- University English Requirements and Student Visa English
- Submitting PTE Academic Results to Macquarie
- Preparing for Your Macquarie PTE Target
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
Not every course follows the general requirement. Law, Medicine, Psychology and teacher education have higher English entry scores, while Macquarie University College offers foundation and diploma programs with lower minimums.
Macquarie University PTE Scores by Course Level
Macquarie accepts PTE Academic for international admission. The required score depends on the qualification and, in some cases, the professional standards attached to the degree.
The university’s current English language admission policy sets out the following requirements.
| Course level or program | Overall | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Foundation Program | 46 | 41 | 40 | 39 | 38 |
| Intensive Foundation, Diploma and Masters Qualifying programs | 52 | 47 | 50 | 46 | 46 |
| Most bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees | 60 | 51 | 55 | 50 | 54 |
| MBA and related programs | 68 | 51 | 55 | 50 | 54 |
| Selected Law and professional degrees | 68 | 56 | 64 | 55 | 66 |
| Selected clinical and health degrees | 68 | 66 | 73 | 66 | 76 |
| Initial teacher education | 73 | 66 | 66 | 79 | 79 |
The figures are drawn from Macquarie’s published admission categories. Individual courses may have additional conditions. For a student entering a standard bachelor’s degree, Writing has the highest component minimum at 55. The overall result must still reach 60.
Why Older Macquarie Guides Mention PTE 58
Students comparing university websites may come across two different sets of PTE scores. Macquarie changed its general PTE Academic requirement on 1 March 2026.
Previously, many undergraduate and postgraduate programs required 58 overall with at least 52 in each skill.
The revised requirement is different:
| Component | Previous | Current |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 58 | 60 |
| Reading | 52 | 51 |
| Writing | 52 | 55 |
| Listening | 52 | 50 |
| Speaking | 52 | 54 |
The update did not raise every score. Reading and Listening became slightly lower, while Writing and Speaking increased. Someone who prepared using the older table may therefore have an overall score above 60 but still miss the current Writing minimum. If you already hold an offer issued before the change, the conditions in that offer should be checked with Macquarie admissions.
Undergraduate Degrees With Higher English Requirements
Many undergraduate programs use the standard 60-overall score. A few important exceptions sit above it.
1. Law and Clinical Science
Macquarie places selected Law, Clinical Science and Exercise and Sports Science degrees in a higher English category. These programs generally require 68 overall, with Reading 56, Writing 64, Listening 55 and Speaking 66.
The requirement applies to specified courses, including the Bachelor of Laws and certain combined Law degrees. A student considering one of these programs should use the English conditions attached to the course rather than the general bachelor’s requirement.
2. Education
Teacher education has a noticeably different score profile.
Macquarie’s specified Bachelor of Education and Master of Teaching programs require 73 overall, with:
-
Listening: 79
-
Speaking: 79
-
Reading: 66
-
Writing: 66
The higher Listening and Speaking scores reflect the English standard applied to initial teacher education. Macquarie lists PTE Academic as an accepted test for this admission category. That should not be confused with the English-test policies used by separate teacher registration or migration assessment authorities.
PTE Scores for Postgraduate Programs
Postgraduate admission at Macquarie does not automatically mean a higher English threshold. Many coursework master’s degrees use the same 60-overall requirement as general undergraduate programs.
The exceptions are linked to particular courses.
1. Master of Business Administration
The MBA and certain related business administration programs require 68 overall. Interestingly, the individual skill minimums remain the same as those in the general admission category. That creates a different preparation target from courses that raise both the overall and component scores.
2. Medicine, Physiotherapy and Psychology
Several clinical postgraduate degrees require stronger results across the four skills.
| PTE Academic | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Overall | 68 |
| Reading | 66 |
| Writing | 73 |
| Listening | 66 |
| Speaking | 76 |
Macquarie’s published higher English category includes the Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Physiotherapy and selected postgraduate Psychology programs. These are course-specific requirements, not a standard applied to every health-related degree. The Macquarie course finder provides individual program information.
Is PTE 58 Still Accepted?
For most new applications under the current general admission rules, 58 overall is below the required score. However, the answer may be different for someone holding an earlier conditional offer or applying through a recognised pathway.
The university’s current policy should be used for new admission planning. Applicants relying on older English evidence should have their particular circumstances checked rather than assume the previous requirement still applies.
Can You Apply Without Taking PTE?
Macquarie recognises several ways to demonstrate English proficiency. Some applicants can rely on previous education completed in English, including eligible secondary or tertiary qualifications.
The university considers the country of study, qualification level, duration and other conditions under its English evidence policy. A degree taught in English is not necessarily enough on its own.
Applicants can review the accepted evidence routes on Macquarie’s English language requirements page.
English Pathways Through Macquarie University College
Students who fall below the direct-entry score may have another route through Macquarie University College.
The university recognises specified English for Academic Purposes programs. For many courses using the general English standard, successful completion of an approved Academic English 5 program can satisfy the English entry condition.
Foundation, diploma and qualifying programs also have their own entry scores which are lower than those for straight university admission. These pathways are not the same for every degree. Courses with a clinical practice or teacher education component may require additional English. The right decision relies on the present result of the student and the program intended.
How Long Is a PTE Result Valid?
Macquarie generally requires English test results to be less than two years old at the time the course begins. This becomes relevant if you completed PTE well before applying or later defer your intake.
A result may have been acceptable when you first planned to study but become too old for the intended commencement date. Macquarie also considers the best eligible complete English test result. Applicants should not assume that individual skill scores from separate PTE attempts can be combined.
University English Requirements and Student Visa English
The Macquarie English requirement is separate from the Australian Student visa English requirement. For PTE Academic tests taken from 7 August 2025, the standard Student visa threshold is generally 47 overall, subject to the relevant Home Affairs rules and exceptions.
Macquarie’s general admission requirement is higher and includes minimum scores in each communicative skill. A student may therefore meet the visa English threshold without satisfying the university’s admission requirement.
The PTEClasses PTE for Student Visa guide covers the immigration rules separately. Official visa conditions are published by the Department of Home Affairs.
Submitting PTE Academic Results to Macquarie
Applicants using PTE Academic for Macquarie admission need an official Pearson result. If you have taken the examination more than once, choose the best eligible result and ensure the details match your university application.
Macquarie may verify the result directly through Pearson. A conditional offer may specify the English evidence still required and the deadline for providing it.
The English result addresses one part of admission. Academic qualifications, prerequisites and any course-specific requirements are considered separately.
Preparing for Your Macquarie PTE Target
The right preparation target depends on the degree. For a standard bachelor’s program, Writing requires 55 and Speaking 54. An MBA applicant needs a higher overall score, while teacher education applicants face substantially higher Listening and Speaking minimums.
If your practice scores are already over the requirement in most skills, spend your study time on the one component that is still below target, rather than splitting your time equally.
PTEClasses provides PTE Practice Questions for task-specific preparation and a PTE Score Calculator for reviewing practice performance. These tools can support preparation, but university admission requires accepted official evidence.
Final Thoughts
Macquarie University PTE requirement Most undergraduate and postgraduate courses require 60 overall with variable minimum scores for each skill. Some professional courses require substantially higher scores while Macquarie University College provides lower-score entry pathways. If you’re using a past test score, or applying for a professional course, check the English requirements of the course you have in mind before booking your PTE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
Does Macquarie accept PTE Academic UKVI?
PTE Academic is one of the English requirements listed by Macquarie. If you have a result designated by the UKVI you should check with the university whether they will accept this particular score report before you use it.
Can I combine scores from two PTE attempts?
Macquarie generally considers the best eligible complete test result rather than combining the highest individual scores from separate examinations.
Does Macquarie accept IELTS One Skill Retake?
Yes. Macquarie’s current English requirements recognise IELTS One Skill Retake, subject to the applicable conditions.
Can I apply before receiving my PTE result?
A conditional offer may be possible depending on the course and application circumstances. Any outstanding English condition must be satisfied by the deadline stated in the offer.
Is the PTE requirement the same for Macquarie University College?
No. Foundation, diploma and qualifying programs have separate English entry requirements.
