Entry Requirements
Two Clear Pathways to John Paul College.
Direct Entry for students who meet our academic and English benchmarks • A Preparation Pathway for students who need time to get there
How Enrolment Decisions Are Made
Each international application is assessed against three key components. The relevant Head of School reviews all three together — no single factor decides the outcome on its own.
1. English Language Proficiency
Evidenced through IELTS, Cambridge English for Schools, AEAS or CEFR self-assessment, matched against the year level being applied for.
2. Academic Reports
A record of results from the student’s previous school, showing a pass in core subjects over the last two years of education.
3. Head of School Interview
A conversation with the relevant Head of School to understand the student’s readiness, goals and fit with the JPC learning environment.
For full details on how applications are evaluated, please refer to our Admission Policy.
Don’t Meet Direct Entry Yet? There’s Still a Way In.
Students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for John Paul College can study English first with John Paul International College. All international students complete an interview with the relevant Head of School before an offer is made.
JPC Academy – Interview Course
Completing this short course gives students valuable insight into what to expect from the Head of School interview process.
JPC Academy – High School Preparation Test Series
A student’s listening and speaking skills are checked through this test series as part of the High School Preparation assessment.
Direct Entry to John Paul College
The relevant Head of School may use discretion to accept an international student even where the academic or English language guides below are not fully met.
Academic Requirements
| John Paul College – Course | Academic Requirement |
|---|---|
| Senior Secondary – Year 11 & 12Direct entry available | Students are invited to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning to enter Year 12. |
| Junior Secondary – Year 7 to 10Direct entry available | Applicants must demonstrate a pass in all core subjects over their previous two years of education. |
| Primary School – Year 3 to 6Direct entry available | Applicants must demonstrate a pass in all core subjects over their previous two years of education. |
| Primary School – Prep to Year 2Direct entry available | There are no formal academic requirements. |
English Language Requirements
| Year Level | CEFR | IELTS | Cambridge English for Schools | AEAS | EIKEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Secondary – Year 11 & 12 | B2 | 6.0+ | B2 First for Schools – Grade B | 75 (Stanine of 5 or above in Reading & Writing) | Pre-1 |
| Junior Secondary – Year 10 | B2 | 6.0+ | B2 First for Schools – Grade C | 70 (Stanine of 5 or above in Reading & Writing) | Pre-1 |
| Junior Secondary – Year 9 | B2 | 6.0 | B2 First for Schools – Grade C | 70 (Stanine of 5 or above in Reading & Writing) | Pre-1 |
| Junior Secondary – Year 7 & 8 | B1+ | 5.5 | B1 Preliminary for Schools – Merit / Grade B | 65 (Stanine of 5 or above in Reading & Writing) | 2 |
| Primary School – Year 4, 5 & 6 | B1 | N/A | A2 Flyers – 5 Shields in each skill | 50 (Stanine of 5 or above in Reading & Writing) | 2 |
| Primary School – Year 3 | A2 | — | — | Student should evidence a CEFR A2 level | Pre-2 |
| Primary School – Prep to Year 2 | — | — | — | At the discretion of the Head of Primary School | N/A |
Figures are a guide only. AEAS figures shown are the General English score (0–100). Final assessment is made by the relevant Head of School with reference to the current Admission Policy.
International Primary Preparation & High School Preparation
Students who do not yet meet the direct entry requirements above can study English first with John Paul International College. The table below is a guide to language levels at JPIC — students do not need to hold a result from any of the external tests above to apply.
Academic Requirements
| John Paul International College – Course | Academic Requirement |
|---|---|
| High School Preparation Course (HSPC) | Applicants must demonstrate a pass in all core subjects over their previous two years of education. |
| Primary School Preparation (PSP) | Applicants must demonstrate a pass in all core subjects over their previous two years of education. |
English Language Requirements
| JPIC Level | CEFR | Cambridge English for Schools | AEAS | EIKEN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSPC Upper-IntermediateTransition – Year 9, 10 & 11 | B1+ | B1 First for Schools – Grade C | 61 | 2 |
| HSPC IntermediateTransition – Year 7 & 8 | B1 | B1 Preliminary for Schools – Pass / Grade C | 51 | 2 |
| HSPC Pre-Intermediate | A2 | A2 for Schools – Pass / Grade C | 40 | Pre-2 |
| HSPC Beginner | A1 | — | 26 | 3 |
| HSPC Starter | Below A1 | — | 10 | 4–5 |
| PSP Pre-Intermediate | A2 | A2 Flyers – 4 Shields in each skill | 36 | Pre-2 |
| PSP Beginner | A1 | A1 Movers – 4 Shields in each skill | 26 | 3 |
Figures are a guide only. AEAS figures shown are the General English score (0–100). Final assessment is made by the relevant Head of School with reference to the current Admission Policy.
Entry Requirements FAQs
What happens if my child doesn’t meet the English requirement?
They’re not turned away – they’re placed into the Preparation Pathway. Depending on age, this means the High School Preparation Course (HSPC) or Primary School Preparation (PSP), both designed to bring students up to direct-entry standard.
Do I need an IELTS or AEAS score to apply?
No. Those scores are a guide for Direct Entry only. Students applying through the Preparation Pathway do not need to hold a result from any external English test to apply.
Is the Head of School interview compulsory?
Yes, for all international applicants. Completing the JPC Academy – Interview Course beforehand helps students understand what to expect and arrive feeling prepared.
Can a student be accepted even if requirements aren’t fully met?
The relevant Head of School has discretion to accept a student even where the academic or English language guides aren’t fully met, based on the interview and overall application.
How long does the Preparation Pathway usually take?
It depends on the student’s starting level. Most students progress through the structured HSPC or PSP stages within two to four terms before transitioning into mainstream classes.
Where can I read the full assessment criteria?
The complete criteria are set out in our Admission Policy. Our enrolments team is also on hand to talk through your child’s specific situation.
Start the Conversation Today
Our enrolments team will help you find the right entry point for your child – direct entry or the preparation pathway.