Academic requirements

Learn more about the levels of study offered at La Trobe and the minimum academic entry requirements that apply.

Coming to La Trobe from overseas? Australian university degrees may be structured differently to the ones in your home country. The courses we offer at La Trobe can be divided into three broad levels of study:

  • undergraduate study, the initial level of Australian university study
  • postgraduate coursework, which builds on your existing study or professional experience
  • higher degrees by research, available if you’ve proven your research capabilities in other university study and want to investigate a topic you choose yourself.

To help you understand our different degrees, we’ve put together this indicative guide to the minimum academic entry requirements that apply at each level.

Think of this guide as a way to identify what type of degree is right for you based on your existing experience. It doesn’t list the specific entry requirements you’ll need to meet before you can start studying at La Trobe – those are based on what course you choose.

Already have an idea of which course you want to study? Find its specific entry requirements by searching for its course page.

Changes responding to COVID-19

We’ve updated some of our policies to accommodate changes to 2020 exams for the International Baccalaureate and Cambridge levels. This does not alter scores required for entry to La Trobe courses.

Whether you have your dream job in mind or are still figuring it out, a La Trobe University undergraduate degree will give you the knowledge, experience and connections you need for the future.

At an undergraduate level we offer:

  • Diploma programs
  • Bachelor’s degrees.

To enter our undergraduate programs, at a minimum you’ll need to have completed Australian Year 12 (or an accepted international equivalent) with a certain grade. You may also need to meet subject prerequisites.

Learn more about specific entry requirements when you find your preferred undergraduate course.

Already completed a Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) or have significant professional experience in a relevant field? Take your next step by choosing a postgraduate degree that suits your career aspirations and your lifestyle needs.

For postgraduate coursework, we offer:

  • Graduate Certificate programs
  • Graduate Diploma programs
  • Masters degrees by coursework.

To enter our postgraduate degree programs, at a minimum you’ll need to have completed an Australian Bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) with certain grades. For some degrees, we may also consider prior learning that you’ve developed through relevant work experience or professional accreditation, if we deem it to be at least equivalent to the education you’d receive in a Bachelor’s degree.

For more information about specific entry requirements, find your preferred postgraduate course.

Have proven research capabilities? We offer three types of graduate research degrees, also known as higher degrees by research, depending on your goals and your educational and professional background.

If you’re looking to study a higher degree by research, we offer:

  • Masters degrees by research
  • Professional Doctorates
  • Doctors of Philosophy (PhDs).

Find out more about La Trobe research degrees or see below for more information about entry requirements.

In a Masters degree by research, you can investigate a topic of your choice through in-depth research. Undertake a supervised research project and submit a thesis that contributes relevant research into your chosen field.

Each Masters by research degree will have different entry requirements. Check its page on our course finder for details relevant to your chosen degree.

In a professional doctorate, you’ll pursue an independent and sustained investigation into a research problem of your own design. Make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in the context of professional practice.

To be eligible to apply for a professional doctorate, at a minimum you’ll need to have:

  • a four-year degree or Masters degree completed in the last 10 years, with a Weighted Average Mark of 65 or above in the final year
  • eligibility for registration for professional practice in Australia
  • at least two years professional practice.

Find out more about eligibility for a La Trobe professional doctorate.

In a PhD, you’ll pursue an independent and sustained investigation into a research problem of your own design.

To apply for PhD candidature, at a minimum you’ll need either:

  • an Australian Masters by research degree in a relevant discipline, completed in the last ten years and assessed at a research standard of 70 or above
  • an Australian Bachelor’s (Honours) degree, Masters by coursework or ungraded Masters by research degree completed in the last 10 years with a Weighted Average Mark of 70 or above, as well as proven research capabilities.

Find out more about eligibility for a La Trobe Doctor of Philosophy.