Australia — Perth
PTE score for Curtin University
Curtin University accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 58 overall for undergraduate and 58 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.
Last verified 2026-07-18. Source: English language requirements — Curtin University
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
58
overall minimum
Curtin's standard undergraduate PTE Academic requirement is overall 58 with no communicative skill below 50. Health programs (Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology) and Education require higher (overall 65, all skills 65). PTE Academic Online is accepted. Students who score 42-57 overall can enter via Curtin English (in-house pathway) or the Foundation program.
Postgraduate
58
overall minimum
Standard postgraduate coursework requirement is overall 58 with no communicative skill below 50, including most Engineering and IT programs. Health postgraduate programs (Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology) and Education require overall 65 with all skills 65. PTE Academic Online accepted.
Visa note: Australian student visa (subclass 500) requires PTE Academic 30 overall. This is set by the Australian government, not the university. Curtin accepts PTE Academic Online in addition to the test-centre PTE Academic.
Requirements are set by Curtin University and can change. Always verify at the English language requirements — Curtin University before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
Curtin University 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation / ELB pathway | 42 | 36+ | Curtin English Language Bridge (ELB) and Foundation programs. Students below 58 overall can enter via Curtin English (in-house test) as an alternative pathway.Note: Applicants scoring below the standard 58 threshold are directed to Curtin English rather than being rejected outright. |
| Standard (Undergraduate & most Postgraduate) | 58 | 50+ | Most undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs including Business, Arts, Sciences, Engineering, IT, Media, and Design.Note: Overall 58 with no communicative skill (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) below 50. |
| Health & Education | 65 | 65+ | Nursing, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, and all Education (Teaching) programs.Note: Higher band for programs with clinical placement, patient interaction, or classroom teaching requirements. Some registration bodies (AHPRA, TRBWA) mandate this level. |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the Curtin 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. Curtin University in Perth, Australia accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 58 overall with no skill below 50, and for postgraduate programs 58 overall with no skill below 50.
For undergraduate entry at Curtin University, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no skill below 50. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 58 overall with no skill below 50. Standard postgraduate coursework requirement is overall 58 with no communicative skill below 50, including most Engineering and IT programs. Health postgraduate programs (Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology) and Education require overall 65 with all skills 65. PTE Academic Online accepted. Always confirm with Curtin University directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at Curtin University require a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with per-skill minimums of Listening 50, Reading 50, Writing 50 and Speaking 50. Standard postgraduate coursework requirement is overall 58 with no communicative skill below 50, including most Engineering and IT programs. Health postgraduate programs (Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech Pathology) and Education require overall 65 with all skills 65. PTE Academic Online accepted.
Australian student visa (subclass 500) requires PTE Academic 30 overall. This is set by the Australian government, not the university. Curtin accepts PTE Academic Online in addition to the test-centre PTE Academic.
If your current PTE score is below the Curtin University 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 Curtin University 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.
Curtin University 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.
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