Australia — Sydney
PTE score for University of Sydney
University of Sydney accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 61 overall for undergraduate and 68 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.
Last verified 2026-06-19. Source: English language requirements — The University of Sydney
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
61
overall minimum
Standard undergraduate requirement (updated May 2025 concordance table). Faculty of Medicine and Health requires 68+ overall. Check specific course pages.
Postgraduate
68
overall minimum
Standard postgraduate coursework (updated May 2025). Some faculties (Education, Nursing, Law) may require higher scores. Applies to Semester 1 2026+ applications.
Visa note: Australian student visa (subclass 500) requires PTE Academic 30 overall. This is set by the Australian government, not the university.
Requirements are set by University of Sydney and can change. Always verify at the English language requirements — The University of Sydney before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
University of Sydney sets different PTE score thresholds depending on your program. The table below lists the most common bands — always confirm the exact requirement for your intended course.
| Band / Level | Overall | Each skill | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (IELTS 6.5 equivalent) | 61 | 54+ | Most Bachelor and Master of Arts, Science, Engineering, Commerce programs |
| Higher (IELTS 7.0 equivalent) | 68 | 61+ | Education, Nursing, Social Work, Dentistry, most Health Sciences, Law (JD), Veterinary |
| Advanced (IELTS 7.5 equivalent) | 76 | 68+ | Clinical programs, Speech Pathology, select clinical health pathways |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the University of Sydney Course Search and select your intended program.
What if your score is below the requirement?
A PTE score that is 2 to 5 points below the requirement is almost always a single-skill problem. One weak skill — commonly Writing or Speaking — pulls the overall score below the threshold while the other three are already sufficient.
The fastest path to closing that gap is identifying which skill is the bottleneck, then drilling it specifically. A free 10-minute diagnostic on this site identifies your weakest skill from your response patterns — no guessing, no wasted prep time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 61 overall with no skill below 54, and for postgraduate programs 68 overall with no skill below 61.
For undergraduate entry at University of Sydney, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 61 with no skill below 54. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 68 overall with no skill below 61. Standard postgraduate coursework (updated May 2025). Some faculties (Education, Nursing, Law) may require higher scores. Applies to Semester 1 2026+ applications. Always confirm with University of Sydney directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Sydney require a PTE Academic overall score of 68 with per-skill minimums of Listening 61, Reading 61, Writing 61 and Speaking 61. Standard postgraduate coursework (updated May 2025). Some faculties (Education, Nursing, Law) may require higher scores. Applies to Semester 1 2026+ applications.
Australian student visa (subclass 500) requires PTE Academic 30 overall. This is set by the Australian government, not the university.
If your current PTE score is below the University of Sydney requirement, there are two realistic paths. First, resit PTE Academic after targeted preparation focusing on your weakest skill (one low skill can pull your overall score significantly below the threshold). Second, check whether University of Sydney offers a conditional admission pathway through an English language pathway program, which allows entry at a lower score followed by an on-campus English course before your degree starts. The free diagnostic on this site identifies exactly which skill is holding your score back.
University of Sydney accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS. The tests measure the same skills but in different formats. PTE Academic is fully computer-delivered and AI-scored, which removes examiner variability from Speaking and Writing. Many candidates who find the IELTS Speaking interview stressful prefer PTE's recorded format. The best test for you depends on your strengths. Try a free PTE mock to see where you stand.
Ready to reach the University of Sydney requirement?
Take a free full-length PTE mock test. Get your predicted score across all four skills with a personalised study plan.
Take a free mock test