A lot of people asking, how to study Nursing in Australia if you cannot meet the IELTS/PTE? In this video, Brad discusses some of the options that you may be able to take to study nursing if you cannot meet the IELTS/PTE requirements.
I can’t get the IELTS/PTE score for nursing. What else can I do?
To study nursing in Australia, it should be noted that it is one of the toughest English requirements to get into the desired course. The schools who offer these programs (whether Bachelor or Diploma level) do not negotiate the score. Nursing schools usually require an IELTS score of 7 overall with no individual band lower than 7. They’re strict about this for program admission.
The reason for this is that you are out in the community, hospitals, and aged care facilities and need to have the appropriate language skills to communicate effectively as you are dealing with people’s lives.
So what can you do if you don’t meet this requirement and need to improve your IELTS score?
Here are 3 options depending on your needs:
- There are specialized EAP programs (English for Academic Purposes – Nursing Stream)
- These are courses that are available in Australia and are tailored to whichever course you intend to study in. Depending on your current level of English this could be the right option for you. It’s an intense English program that is designed to provide entry into the nursing program and usually runs for 12-15 weeks. Some of these courses can also provide you direct access into the course after it is completed, so this is often a great pathway to choose as your first step if you are not meeting that initial requirement.
- However, if you have an IELTS score under 6 or 6.5 you may not get access to these programs because even at that level 12 weeks may not be enough to get you up to the expected standard.
- IELTS classes and tutoring – This is for people who might be sitting at the IELTS 5.5 score. Experienced instructors guide you through lessons, practice tests, and interactive exercises. They provide personalized feedback to help you strengthen work areas. Regular assessments track your progress, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the IELTS exam and any academic pursuits that require English proficiency.
- Study something in the same area or realm that might not have the same high IELTS requirements. You could study something like aged care, community work, mental health, and more. Studying a field related to nursing offers international students a dual advantage. Not only do they enhance their English skills through specialized terminology and communication practice but they also gain insights into their future profession. This integrated approach fosters language growth whilst building a solid foundation for success in healthcare, where effective communication is crucial.
We hope this helps with options of what to do if you don’t meet the initial IESTS requirements. If you have any more questions specific to your circumstances, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Pathway to Aus.
