Applicants from all applicant groups who wish to study a Bachelor degree course must satisfy the following entry requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age (or turning 18 during your first year of studies) or 17y before the commencement of the first term;
• Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE) or equivalent; which is Grade/Year 12 according to the Australian curriculum. Click here to check for high school / secondary school equivalencies.
• Completion of a Diploma level qualification or higher issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); or other equivalent qualifications. Click here to check for higher education equivalencies.
• Experience Based Entry – for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria 1 or 2. Please read the section below on Experience Based Entry, Higher Education Pathway or contact an SAE Course Advisor directly for more information.
• Required documents:
  • High school Certificate (Read this document for full list of high school equivalency)
  • High school transcript (Grade scale must be provided if not graduated in US, IB, UK or Indian curriculum), unless grades are mentioned as percentages (%)
  • Proof of English language proficiency

SAE recognises industry experience and previous studies from accredited institutions. Click here to find out more about Recognition of Prior Learning.

Your work and life experience count when it comes to entry at SAE.
We will consider all of your qualifications, studies, employment and professional experience when you apply to study with us.

The first (and best) thing to do is to talk to our course advisors. You may be pleasantly surprised that they do! Even if they fall short, we will suggest what else you will need to do to get into your preferred course.
Our Experience-Based Entry Scheme allows you to be considered for entry to any course through an assessment of your ability to succeed in higher education.

SAE will review applications on a case-by-case basis if you:

• Are at least 18 years of age;
• Do not have the formal qualifications required for direct entry;
• Seek admission to courses on the basis of your aptitude for higher learning and skills development through professional, work, life experience and non-accredited study.

To apply via the Experience-Based Entry pathway, students are required to undertake an interview with SAE and provide supporting evidence that may include:

• records of any formal educational qualifications attained,
• evidence of any informal studies undertaken,
• references relating to work history relevant to the chosen field of study (if applicable),
• a resume or Curriculum Vitae,
• a Cover Letter, and/or
• a portfolio/examples of relevant materials that may demonstrate qualities like creative aptitude, knowledge, technical skills and abilities, or experience in a particular field.

In addition, candidates may also be asked to undertake an exam or written assignment to demonstrate their capacity to meet the course requirements.

In all cases, Experience-Based Entry into an SAE course will only be granted to students with a minimum of the Australian Grade/Year 10 level of schooling. Click here to check for equivalencies.

SAE recognises industry experience and previous studies from accredited institutions. Click here to find out more about our Recognition of Prior Learning.

International students have to provide additional evidence of language skills and complete one of the following:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A band score of 6 or higher for a Higher Education (HE) course and 5.5 or higher for a VET course (only the Academic Test is accepted), OR
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A score of 550 or higher (paper based test), 60 or higher (internet based test) for a Higher Education (HE) course and a minimum score of 527 (paper based test) or 46 (internet based test) for a VET course, OR
• International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR): An overall rating of 3, OR
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 50 (or higher) for a Higher Education (HE) course, and an Academic score of 42 (or higher) for a vocational education program, OR
• Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) A B 2.1 level or higher.
• An equivalent level from other approved secondary schooling English studies by providing a signed and stamped letter of confirmation from the High school stating that English was the language of instruction.
• Other evidence of English competency may be considered for review and will be accepted at the discretion of SAE Creative Media Institute. This can be either proof of mother tongue language or a signed and stamped letter of confirmation from a Higher education institution stating that English was the language of instruction.

English test scores more than two (2) years old at the time of application will not be accepted.

In case proof of English language proficiency cannot be obtained, SAE Dubai organizes in collaboration with Eton institute, a CEFR test at the beginning of each term for which students can sign up.