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University of Adelaide IELTS requirement: minimum band scores for 2026

University of Adelaide based in Adelaide, South Australia applies a single IELTS floor at both undergraduate and graduate level: overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Programme-specific minimums sit above this floor; the breakdown below lists every programme on this page that does.

Undergraduate
6.5overall band
With no band below 6.0.
CEFR B2
Per-section 6.0
Graduate
6.5overall band
With no band below 6.0.
CEFR B2
Per-section 6.0

Most postgraduate coursework programs; some require higher.

Last verified 2026-06-02. The figures on this page are taken from University of Adelaide's own admissions page. Verify against the official source before relying on a specific number; programme directors can revise English requirements between intakes.

Official admissions page

About Adelaide and its IELTS requirement

Adelaide's standard IELTS Academic requirement is 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0 for both undergraduate and postgraduate coursework. Language-rich disciplines (Education, Language and Literature, Communication and Media Studies, Philosophy and Religious Studies) require 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5, and Nursing/Midwifery requires 7.0 in every band.

Translating the published minimum into a study target

Undergraduate applicants to Adelaide need an overall IELTS Academic band of 6.5 with no band below 6.0. In CEFR terms this corresponds to B2.

For graduate study the institutional minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0 (CEFR B2). Most postgraduate coursework programs; some require higher.

Programmes that raise the bar

Several Adelaide programmes publish IELTS thresholds that sit above the institutional minimum. The current list on this page includes Nursing & Midwifery (overall 7.0). Treat these as the target if you are applying to one of them; the institutional minimum does not over-ride a programme-level publication.

How to prepare for the Adelaide IELTS minimum

A target of 6.5 (CEFR B2) is achievable for candidates with strong school-level English and 4-8 weeks of focused IELTS practice. The fastest gains usually come from Listening and Reading because the question types are predictable and trainable. Sit a full-length practice test first, identify the section that pulls your overall down most, and drill that section before scheduling the live exam.

Programme-specific IELTS minimums

These programmes publish IELTS thresholds that differ from the institutional minimum above. Verify the programme page for the most current value before you apply.

ProgrammeOverallPer-section
Nursing & Midwifery7.07.0

Other English tests Adelaide accepts

Test results must be less than two years old at time of assessment. Equivalent approved tests (TOEFL, PTE) accepted.

Alternatives and thresholds change between intakes. Confirm on the official admissions page before relying on a specific alternative test.

Official sources

FAQ

Common questions

What is the minimum IELTS score for University of Adelaide?
For undergraduate study at University of Adelaide, the published minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. For graduate study, the minimum is overall 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Specific programmes can require higher; the figures here reflect the institutional baseline.
What does 'no band below 6.0' mean at Adelaide?
The floor of 6.0 in every section reflects Adelaide's view that the four IELTS skills are non-interchangeable. A candidate cannot use strong Reading to mask weak Writing in an academic environment that demands all four; the floor enforces that. Any section below 6.0 means a retake or an accepted alternative test before the application can proceed.
Does Adelaide accept other English tests besides IELTS?
Yes. Test results must be less than two years old at time of assessment. Equivalent approved tests (TOEFL, PTE) accepted. Acceptance and thresholds for alternative tests can change from one admission cycle to the next; the University of Adelaide admissions page linked above is the authoritative source.
What if my IELTS score is below the Adelaide minimum?
If your overall is at or just above the threshold but one section is short, Adelaide usually treats this the same as missing the overall: the per-section requirement is a hard gate. The fastest path back into the pool is a retake focused on the single weak section. Candidates with overall 6.0 and a Writing band of 5.5 routinely lift the Writing band by 0.5–1.0 inside a month of structured Task 1 and Task 2 practice.
Are there programme-specific IELTS minimums at Adelaide?
Yes. 1 programme on this page publish thresholds that differ from the institutional baseline, including Nursing & Midwifery. The Programme-specific IELTS minimums table above shows each one. Always re-verify on the programme page before relying on a published figure — programme directors can raise minimums between intakes.

See where you stand against the Adelaide minimum

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