First-Year Requirements
The decentralized nature of the Australian educational system requires the evaluation of each student’s transcript on an individual basis. The minimum freshman requirements listed below are the most common for each province and are not necessarily used in every school. If your secondary school uses a different grading scale than listed on this page, please contact us.
Australia Capital Territory
In the Australia Capital Territory education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least a B, a High Standard of Achievement, or a 4.0 out of 5.0.
New South Wales
In the New South Wales education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least Band 4 or 70 HSC Marks.
Northern Territory
In the Northern Territory system education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least a B or 14 out of 20.
Queensland
In the Queensland education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least a B, High Achievement (HA), or 4.0 out of 5.0.
South Australia
In the South Australia education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least B or 14 out of 20.
Tasmania
In the Tasmanian education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least a B or High Achievement (HA).
Victoria
In the Victoria education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least B or High Achievement (HA).
Western Australia
In the Western Australia education system, students should have an average high school academic performance of at least a B, High Achievement (HA), 4.0 out of 5.0, or be in the top 40%.
Transfer Requirements
Please contact us for province-specific transfer information.
English Language Requirement for Nonnative Speakers
Demonstrate English language proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Minimum standardized test score:
- Note: Please specify the JMU CEEB code (005392) on the testing form. Test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to JMU. Student copies will not be accepted.
- IELTS minimum score of 6.5
- GTEC CBT minimum score of 1210
- Duolingo English Test minimum score of 105
- Pearson PTE Academic minimum score of 58
- TOEFL minimum score of 81 (internet-based test)
- SAT minimum score of 500 on the Evidenced Based Reading and Writing Portion of SAT exam
- Cambridge English Exam - Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) minimum score of 176, CEFR level
- Submission of a General Certificate of Secondary Education or General Certificate of Education "O" level in English language.
- Possession of an American associate's or bachelor's degree equivalent from an accredited institution located in a country where English is the native language.
- Graduation from an accredited high school in a native English-speaking country where the applicant has resided for at least four years.
For applicants who do not meet the required English proficiency but meet all other academic requirements, the student may apply for the International Year Program at the James Madison University International Study Center.
Completing Your Application
A completed international application to JMU must include the following:
- Application, submitted online or by mail (download).
- Transcripts or statement of marks of all secondary and post-secondary education, translated into English. Transcripts must be complete. For applicants still enrolled the transcript or statement of marks must also include grades for the most recent term. The transcript must be an original copy certified by the sending institution.
- One letter of recommendation.
- Proof of English language proficiency for nonnative speakers.
- Financial certification form. This form must be completed by the student's sponsor or financial guarantor and submitted with the requested documents.
- (Optional) Standardized test scores: Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing Assessment (ACT).
- Copy of your passport from your home country.
- If applicable, copy of your current U.S. visa documents.
- $70 application fee.
MSC 0101
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
