留學指南：入學英文門檻

If you want to study a diploma or degree in an English-speaking country, you will need to show that your English is strong enough to follow lectures, read textbooks and write assignments. But what exactly do you need? Standard English tests Most colleges accept results from several international tests. For an academic pathway course at a lower level, a college might ask for: - IELTS Academic 5.5, with no band lower than 5.0 - TOEFL iBT 46, with a writing score of at least 14 - PTE Academic 42, with no band lower than 36 For the next level up, which prepares students for degree study, the requirements are higher: - IELTS Academic 6.0, with no band lower than 5.5 - TOEFL iBT 60, with a writing score of at least 18 - PTE Academic 50, with no band lower than 42 What does "no band lower than" mean? IELTS gives you a separate score, or "band", for listening, reading, writing and speaking, as well as an overall score. "IELTS 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5" means that your overall score must be at least 6.0, and none of your four individual scores can be below 5.5. So if you get 7.0 in reading but only 5.0 in writing, you will not meet the requirement, even if your overall score is 6.0. Other ways to meet the requirement Don't have an IELTS score? There are other options. Many colleges have their own English test. You can also meet the requirement by finishing a recognised English course, such as completing the Intermediate level of General English with good marks and a recommendation from the head of the language centre. These pathway courses are especially useful because students who complete them can go straight into a diploma or degree programme without taking IELTS again. Special admission What if you don't meet any of these requirements? Some colleges offer special admission. You can provide information about your education, work experience and life experience, and the college will decide whether you are likely to succeed in the programme. Tip: Check the requirements for your programme carefully before you book a test. Requirements are often different for each level of study, and they can change from year to year.