The UMELBP provides a direct English language pathway from Hawthorn-Melbourne to specific courses at the University of Melbourne.  Students who have achieved an IELTS band 0.5 lower than their University of Melbourne course entry requirement may be able to proceed directly to their University studies upon successful completion of the UMELBP. 

Hawthorn-Melbourne is endorsed by the University of Melbourne as the sole external provider of the University of Melbourne English Language Bridging Program.

Check if your faculty accepts the UMELBP as an entry point into your course.



The minimum English language IELTS scores required for entry into the UMELBP are listed below; however, specific faculties and courses may have additional English language requirements. Any additional requirements are explained on faculty pages.

	UMELBP Entry  Requirement
UoM Entry Requirement	IELTS	TOEFL (paper based test)	TOEFL (computer based test)	TOEFL (internet based test)
IELTS 7.0	6.5 (no band less than 6.0)	577 + TWE 4.5	233 + 4.5 essay rating	90 with no band less than 21
IELTS 6.5	6.0 (no band less than 5.5)	550 + TWE 4.0	213 + 4.0 essay rating	80 with no band less that 18

The UMELBP provides a simulation of authentic academic activities aimed at developing English language and study skills.

The following key areas of academic learning are covered:

Lectures

• extracting important information from spoken discourse 
• note taking and retrieving information from notes 
• Identifying and analysing issues

Seminars

• giving an oral presentation 
• participating in tutorials and seminars 
• confidently expressing, explaining and supporting a point of view

Writing 

• writing in narrative, argumentative and analytical styles 
• summarising, paraphrasing 
• organizing and self editing

Research

• reading and analyzing a range of authentic materials
• predicting, skimming, scanning, identifying key words and key topics. 
• acknowledging information from a range of sources

Critical Thinking

• evaluating language 
• critiquing written and spoken texts

University Campus Culture
Some classes are held at the main campus at Parkville to introduce students to the University’s resources and facilities, and to practice research and mentoring skills covered in class.

  UMELBP teachers are highly qualified and experienced across a broad range of educational settings, with specialisation in the teaching of university preparation courses. UMELBP teachers are dedicated to the success of each student and will make sure that students enjoy a relevant, effective learning experience.
Teachers combine a variety of learning modes to ensure that students are exposed to a wide range of learning experiences, including those typical of university study in Australia. Integrated lessons include:

• CALL (computer assisted language learning) and computer presentation skills 
• Language lab, lectures, seminars and presentations for listening and speaking
• Guided and independent study
• Two curriculum-related excursions per course 

There is no set textbook for this course. Students are provided with a course handbook which contains the assessment tasks and criteria. Required readings and other materials will be given in class. In addition, students receive a library card which allows them to use the University of Melbourne’s main library during their UMELBP study.


There are four assessment tasks which students must satisfactorily complete as part of the course. The assessment criteria for each task is given at the beginning of the course in the course handbook. Students receive ongoing, individualised feedback throughout the course to assist them in understanding how to apply the criteria to the assessment tasks. Direct entry from the UMELBP into your university course requires successful completion of the UMELBP course. If you do not successfully complete the UMELBP, you will be required to appear before the UMELBP Unsatisfactory Progress Committee.

The standard of work that constitutes “Satisfactory Completion” depends upon the IELTS requirements of your University of Melbourne course. You must know whether you are required to achieve an overall UMELBP assessment score of at least 65% or 70%:

UoM Course Entry Requirement	UMELB Successful Completion Requirements
IELTS 7.0	·   Minimum of 70% on assessments (overall grade averaged according to the weighting table) ·   80% attendance
IELTS 6.5	·    Minimum of 65% on assessments (overall grade averaged according to the weighting table) ·    80% attendance

The UMELBP is a 10-week course (250 hours) offered four times per year by the Hawthorn English Language Centre. Students must attend the entire 10-week program to remain eligible for direct entry into their University of Melbourne course.

Students transferring from Hawthorn-Melbourne ELICOS programs should be aware that the dates for the UMELBP are aligned with the University’s semester dates, and these dates may be different from the Hawthorn-Melbourne ELICOS program. Students planning to transfer from Hawthorn courses to the UMELBP should speak to Hawthorn’s further studies adviser as soon as possible.