Master the IELTS exam for higher education and professional advancement globally.
The IELTS Preparation course equips you with the language skills, test strategies and confidence to excel in the IELTS English proficiency test and achieve your study, career and migration goals.
You will learn:
IELTS is the world's most popular English language test, recognised by over 12,500 organisations worldwide including universities, employers, professional bodies, and government agencies. Succeeding in the IELTS exam can open doors to employment, further education, and visa opportunities in Australia and globally.
Each level is delivered over 10 weeks
20 hours of scheduled classes per week, plus independent learning
For improved learning, average 15 per class, maximum 18
The IELTS Preparation Program consists of 2 accredited courses (CRICOS course code 120099H) delivered by RMIT UP (CRICOS Provider No. 01912G):
Key highlights:
In English Language teaching
Within the Melbourne CBD
For students at all academic levels
Classes are offered in 2 shifts and held from Monday to Friday scheduled between 8.20am and 5.30pm. Which shift you will study depends on your English level and class.
| Shift 1 | Shift 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | 8.20am – 10.20am | 1.00pm – 3.00pm |
| Break – 30 minutes | ||
| Session 2 | 10.50am – 12.50pm | 3.30pm – 5.30pm |
For every 4 hours in the classroom, we recommend you do at least one hour of independent study every day.
Levels 1 and 2 each consists of 200 hours, which takes 10 weeks full-time to complete.
Enrolment opens 2 weeks prior to the start of each intake.
You can access your timetable via Canvas. All class times are listed in Melbourne time.
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Thursday 9 July | Thursday 24 September |
| Course start date | Monday 13 July | Monday 28 September |
| Course end date | Friday 18 September | Friday 4 December |
| Level 1 | Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Monday 4 January 2027 | Friday 12 March 2027 |
| Course start date | Tuesday 5 January 2027 | Monday 15 March 2027 |
| Course end date | Friday 12 March 2027 | Friday 28 May 2027 |
Once you apply to study at RMIT, you will be sent a letter of offer. After you have accepted the offer and paid for your course, you will be issued with a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE). You will then be contacted on the enrolment date to complete the enrolment process.
RMIT Melbourne is closed on public holidays. Plan ahead by checking when these take place at the Business Victoria website. RMIT UP is also closed on the Tuesday following Easter, and the period between Christmas and New Year's Day.
We offer face-to-face English language teaching in the CBD of Melbourne, Australia.
RMIT Building 85, Level 1, 97-99 Franklin Street.
RMIT UP is located at RMIT’s Melbourne City campus, in the heart of Melbourne. We are conveniently located between Swanston Street and Elizabeth street, just a short walk from Melbourne Central Station.
The campus has easy access to the city’s many trams and train stations including Melbourne Central train station, Elizabeth Street and Swanston Street trams and the new State Library Station, part of the Metro Tunnel project (open in 2025).
RMIT offers a free* service that collects you from the airport and takes you to your pre-arranged accommodation. Please refer to Prepare to arrive webpage for more information.
Otherwise, you can catch a taxi or take the Skybus into the city centre.
*Conditions apply
For this course, you can either complete an RMIT UP placement test, or one of the recognised English language proficiency tests in the table below. Based on your test results (which can be no more than 24 months old), we will determine your course entry level.
Please note: RMIT UP placement test results are only valid for 6 months from the test date. Students applying to study in our English Language courses need to have a valid RMIT UP placement test result or will be asked to re-sit a test before enrolment or on arrival for the start of class.
For information on minimum English language requirements for Student Visa holders, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
We may also test you when you arrive to confirm your level of English. If we assess you at a different level than the one provided in your application, you may need to study more (or fewer) weeks than originally offered. This may affect when you can start the next program you had planned to study.
The RMIT UP English Placement Test is accepted for placement into both course levels.
** In cases where there is a variance of more than 5 between one or more PTE-A communicative skills scores, RMIT UP will either advise on which course level applies or require students to do the RMIT UP English Placement Test.
There are 2 ways to apply for the IELTS Preparation course:
Apply direct to RMIT via the online Application Portal.
Apply to RMIT via an international agent.
In addition to tuition fees, you need to pay for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
You do not need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) for the IELTS Preparation course. (The SSAF applies to other RMIT courses, including Foundation Studies.)
If you request a replacement certificate or statement for your IELTS Preparation course, this will incur additional charges.
| Replacment document | Fee |
|---|---|
| IELTS Preparation replacement Statement of Attendance | AU$10 |
| IELTS Preparation replacement Statement of Course Results (final results for the one level studied) | AU$10 |
| IELTS Preparation replacement completed set of Statement of Course Results (final results for the one level studied) | AU$20 |
Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.
For information about circumstances in which you might be eligible for fee refunds and the amounts refundable, please read the RMIT UP ELICOS Refund Procedure.
To apply for a refund for your IELTS Preparation course, please complete the online refund application form.
The following bursary discounts may be available for eligible English students studying at RMIT:
If you are a citizen of a Latin American country, the European Union (EU) or Turkey, this bursary provides a tuition fee discount on your IELTS Preparation course.
If you are a citizen of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan or Thailand this bursary provides a tuition fee discount on your IELTS Preparation course.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT UP Student Services will contact all new students via email with important information about enrolment and orientation. Please refer to the English Language student enrolment guide for more information.
Enrolment opens 2 weeks prior to the start of each intake. New students will receive an email from Student Services with:
Orientation is compulsory for all new students. It takes place on the Friday before the start of each intake.
The orientation program covers:
Contact the RMIT UP Student Services team at rmit.up.studentservices@rmit.edu.au
Everything you need to know for your first few weeks at RMIT including enrolment information, timetables and orientation.
Explore the services, activities and support available to you as a student.
Do you want to see where you could be studying? We have put together a virtual campus tour.
Contact us to enquire about this course.
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
