The standard UTS PTE requirement is 58 overall, with at least 50 in Writing for most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees. The University of Technology Sydney has higher requirements for teaching, nursing and certain health programs. The April 2026 change is particularly relevant to Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Clinical Psychology applicants, whose English scores now follow a revised PTE Academic pattern.
On This Page
- Current UTS PTE Scores by Course
- What Changed on 23 April 2026?
- Nursing and Midwifery English Requirements
- Can Nursing applicants combine two PTE tests?
- Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Clinical Psychology
- Two-sitting conditions need separate attention
- PTE Requirements for Teaching Degrees at UTS
- Does UTS Require 50 in Every PTE Skill?
- How Long Are PTE Results Valid for UTS?
- Can Previous Education Meet the UTS English Requirement?
- English Pathways Through UTS College
- UTS Admission English vs Australian Student Visa English
- Submitting PTE Academic Results to UTS
- Preparing for Your UTS PTE Target
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
The main thing is that UTS didn’t adjust the PTE requirement for all the courses in April 2026. Most general coursework degrees still utilise the 58/50 criteria, whereas certain specific professionally regulated programs use the revised marks.
Current UTS PTE Scores by Course
The university’s English requirements are not arranged around a single score for every student. The program determines whether you need the general admission standard or a higher professional English level.
| Course or study area | PTE overall | Additional requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Most undergraduate degrees | 58 | Writing 50 |
| Most postgraduate coursework degrees | 58 | Writing 50 |
| Primary and Secondary Teaching | 73 | Speaking 79, Listening 79, Reading 65, Writing 65 |
| Executive MBA and Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Strategy | 65–72 | Writing 58 |
| Nursing and Midwifery (tests from 23 April 2026) | 63 | Speaking 76, Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60 |
| Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology and Physiotherapy (tests from 23 April 2026) | 63 | Speaking 76, Listening 58, Reading 59, Writing 60 |
UTS also publishes individual exceptions, transitional test-date rules and some course-specific two-sitting arrangements. The table shows the single-test requirements for the listed categories. The official UTS English language requirements provide the current course tables.
Notice that the general UTS requirement specifies an overall score and a Writing minimum. It should not be rewritten as “58 overall with 50 in every skill,” because that is not how UTS publishes its standard PTE Academic requirement.
What Changed on 23 April 2026?
The updated English exam scores are applicable to some courses that are tied to professional registration criteria. UTS has different Nursing and Midwifery PTE Academic criteria depending on when the exam was taken.
| PTE Academic | Tests up to 22 April 2026 | Tests from 23 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 66 | 63 |
| Speaking | 66 | 76 |
| Listening | 66 | 58 |
| Reading | 66 | 59 |
| Writing | 56 | 60 |
The most noticeable difference is speaking, which increased to 76. Listening and Reading fell, while Writing moved up slightly.
The change should not be described as an across-the-board reduction in the English requirement. An applicant who previously prepared for 66 in Speaking would now be below the newer 76 threshold.
UTS publishes both score tables on its admissions website, allowing applicants to identify which requirements apply to their test date.
Nursing and Midwifery English Requirements
For the Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery programs listed by UTS, the newer PTE scores apply to tests taken from 23 April 2026. This includes relevant combined degrees and honours pathways.
Can Nursing applicants combine two PTE tests?
UTS will accept a maximum of two acceptable PTE Academic sittings in any 12-month period provided that both of the results match the specified standards. For the exams done under the revised system, each sitting score must be a minimum of 63 overall. For both assessments, you must obtain the required scores for all four competencies.
Neither sitting can fall below:
| Skill | Lowest permitted score |
|---|---|
| Listening | 53 |
| Reading | 54 |
| Writing | 60 |
| Speaking | 66 |
This is a restricted two-sitting arrangement, not permission to combine scores from any two PTE attempts. UTS also specifies that results must be no more than two years old when the course begins.
Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Clinical Psychology
The UTS PTE score for several postgraduate health programs also changed in April 2026.
The affected course list includes:
- Master of Pharmacy
- Master of Clinical Psychology
- Master of Physiotherapy
- Graduate Diploma in Psychology (Advanced) – UTS Online
For a single PTE Academic sitting from 23 April 2026, UTS lists 63 overall, with Speaking 76, Listening 58, Reading 59 and Writing 60.
Two-sitting conditions need separate attention
The UTS’s published phrasing for this postgraduate group for two sittings is different to the Nursing and Midwifery part. The postgraduate table has a different combined-scoring requirement and requires a minimum overall score of 63 in each sitting. If you are an applicant depending on two tests, do not assume that the nursing arrangement will apply to you automatically, utilize the particular guidelines provided for your course.
That distinction matters particularly where one result meets the single-test minimum but the candidate wants to rely on another attempt for a weaker skill.
PTE Requirements for Teaching Degrees at UTS
Teacher education is another area where the general university minimum does not apply. UTS publishes the following requirements for its specified undergraduate teacher education programs and the Master of Teaching in Primary or Secondary Education.
| PTE Academic | Minimum score |
|---|---|
| Overall | 73 |
| Speaking | 79 |
| Listening | 79 |
| Reading | 65 |
| Writing | 65 |
The PTE requirement for UTS teacher education is therefore considerably higher than the standard 58 overall. The Listening and Speaking thresholds are especially demanding. An applicant with 80 overall and Speaking at 77 would still miss the published requirement.
These scores are separate from the April 2026 health-program changes. They should not be confused with the revised Nursing and Midwifery test scores.
Does UTS Require 50 in Every PTE Skill?
No, This is a common misunderstanding of the university’s general English table. For most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, UTS publishes:
- PTE Academic overall: 58
- Writing: 50
It does not list a universal minimum of 50 in Listening, Reading and Speaking for that general category. An applicant should not assume that the score requirements of another Australian university apply to UTS simply because both institutions use PTE Academic.
For degrees with additional English conditions, the individual course’s score table takes precedence.
How Long Are PTE Results Valid for UTS?
UTS generally recognises English language test results obtained within the two years before the relevant application or course commencement, as specified in its admission guidance. For the listed Nursing and professional health programs, UTS explicitly requires eligible results to be no more than two years old when the course begins.
If you do your test far in advance of the anticipated intake, confirm the date against your particular course requirements. A deferred commencement may affect whether an older result stays acceptable. The university has particular criteria for IELTS One Skill Retake. This is different from the test taking circumstances for PTE Academic.
Can Previous Education Meet the UTS English Requirement?
Some applicants can establish English proficiency through recognised previous education instead of taking PTE. UTS considers qualifying study completed in English, including certain secondary and tertiary qualifications. Eligibility depends on the education system, qualification and evidence conditions.
An English-medium degree does not automatically provide an exemption. UTS’s English language requirements explain the different evidence routes and the requirements for applicants whose previous education was not conducted in English.
Students who already have recognised English-medium qualifications should check those options before booking another test.
English Pathways Through UTS College
A student who meets the academic entry conditions but falls short in English may be eligible for a pathway through UTS College. UTS recognises successful completion of UTS College Academic English Level 5 (AE5) for many courses using the general 58-overall/50-Writing English standard.
The pathway is not automatically available for every degree. Teaching and professionally accredited health programs may have separate English requirements.
The UTS College website provides information about Academic English programs, entry conditions and progression arrangements. For a student who narrowly misses direct entry, it is worth comparing the available English pathway with the cost and timing of another PTE attempt.
UTS Admission English vs Australian Student Visa English
The UTS English requirement for PTE is not the same as the English requirement used by the Australian Department of Home Affairs. For PTE Academic tests taken from 7 August 2025, the standard Student visa English threshold is generally 47 overall, subject to the relevant visa conditions and exceptions.
UTS’s general coursework minimum is 58 overall with Writing at least 50. The professional programs discussed earlier have higher requirements. A student may therefore satisfy the visa English threshold without meeting the university’s admission conditions.
The PTEClasses PTE for Student Visa guide covers the immigration requirement separately. Official visa information is available through the Department of Home Affairs.
Submitting PTE Academic Results to UTS
Applicants using PTE Academic for UTS admission should provide official English-test evidence that satisfies the requirements of their chosen course. UTS accepts PTE Academic among its recognised English tests, alongside IELTS, TOEFL and specified Cambridge English qualifications.
You must bring your authentic Pearson Score Report, and the personal information must match your university application. If you have taken the examination more than once, indicate the result you wish to utilize. You cannot presume you can combine separate efforts at PTE unless your particular course specifically enables this.
UTS may also request academic transcripts, qualification documents and additional evidence before making an admission decision.
Preparing for Your UTS PTE Target
The UTS PTE 2026 requirements make it particularly important to prepare for the correct course. For a general coursework degree, Writing at 50 is the only separately specified component minimum. A Nursing applicant, however, must reach Speaking 76 under the newer test rules. Teacher education requires Listening and Speaking at 79.
These are very different objects of preparation. If your practice shows a required component is still below the minimum, practice the types of questions that build that skill rather than doing full exams repeatedly without addressing the underlying concept behind the difficulty.
PTEClasses offers PTE Practice Questions for individual task practice. Its PTE Score Calculator can help you review practice performance against your chosen score target. Practice scores are helpful for preparation, but UTS requires good official English documentation for admission.
Final Thoughts
The normal UTS PTE requirement for most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees is 58 overall and Writing at least 50. April 2026 modifications apply to some Nursing and Midwifery and postgraduate health courses which currently require a single test score of 63 overall, with higher Speaking and component minimums. Teaching programs fall under a further, stricter criterion. Before you schedule PTE, pick the UTS subject you are interested in and review the English requirements listed for that specific course, rather than a general university score table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common questions about this topic.
Does UTS accept PTE Core?
UTS accepts PTE Academic as a Pearson English test. PTE Core is not offered as an option in its general entrance English requirements.
Can I use PTE Academic UKVI for UTS admission?
UTS specifically refers to PTE Academic. If you have a result with the UKVI label on it, please confirm acceptance of that specific report with UTS admissions, don’t assume that the two test labels are interchangeable.
Does UTS accept PTE Academic Online?
UTS publishes accepted test formats separately and recognises certain online versions of other English tests. Applicants should confirm whether their specific PTE delivery format is accepted. Home Affairs separately requires approved secure testing conditions for Australian visa English evidence.
Can I apply to UTS before receiving my PTE result?
UTS may consider an application while English evidence is still waiting, depending on the course and application circumstances. The timeframes set by the university must fulfil any conditional offer.
Do combined UTS degrees use the lower English requirement?
No, UTS states that combined courses use the higher applicable English-language requirement.
Does UTS accept PTE results from overseas test centres?
An eligible PTE Academic result from an authorised overseas test centre may be used for admission, provided it meets UTS’s score, timing and verification requirements.
