English Language entry requirements
Students will meet the English language proficiency requirements for their chosen qualification providing they have attained the required levels in the English language assessments listed below within two years prior to the date of application.
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) sets English language entry requirements for international students through the NZQF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2013 and the Training Scheme Rules 2012.
The requirements place responsibility on providers to ensure international students they enrol have the appropriate level of English proficiency for the level at which they intend to study.
Providers must maintain evidence that international students possess the appropriate level of English proficiency as part of their enrolment records for at least two years from the date of enrolment.
NZQA has developed guidance to assist providers in applying the English language requirements: English language entry requirements for international students.
Internationally Recognised English Proficiency Outcomes for International Students
Certificate at Level 3 |
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| IELTS Test² | General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 | |
| TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 | Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) | |
| TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) | Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) | |
| Cambridge English Examinations | B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill | |
| OET | Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests | |
| NZCEL³ a) Expiring b) Current |
a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 3 (General) |
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| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 | |
| LanguageCert | B1 Achiever IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE I with no less than distinction in any band |
Certificate at Level 4 |
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| IELTS Test² | General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 | |
| TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 | Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) | |
| TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) | Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) | |
| Cambridge English Examinations | B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill | |
| OET | Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests | |
| NZCEL³ a) Expiring b) Current |
a) Level 3 (Academic) b) Level 3 (Applied) |
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| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 | |
| LanguageCert | B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with no less than pass in any band |
Certificate or Diploma at Level 5 |
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| IELTS Test² | Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 | |
| TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 | Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) | |
| TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) | Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) | |
| Cambridge English Examinations | B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill | |
| OET | Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests | |
| NZCEL³ a) Expiring b) Current |
a) Level 4 (General) or (Workplace) b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment) |
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| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 | |
| LanguageCert | B2 Communicator IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less than Pass in each skill | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with no less than merit in any band |
Certificate or Diploma at Level 6
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| IELTS Test² | Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 | |
| TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 | Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) | |
| TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) | Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) | |
| Cambridge English Examinations | B2 First, or B2 First for schools, or C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill | |
| OET | Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests | |
| NZCEL³ a) Expiring b) Current |
a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic) |
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| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 | |
| LanguageCert | C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with no less than distinction in any band |
Post-graduate Diploma or Post-graduate Certificate at Level 8
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| IELTS Test² | Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 | |
| TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 | Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE) | |
| TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) | Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21) | |
| Cambridge English Examinations | C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill; | |
| OET | Minimum of Grade C+ or 300 in all sub-tests | |
| NZCEL³ a) Expiring b) Current |
a) Level 5 (Academic) or (Professional) b) Level 5 |
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| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | PTE (Academic) score of 58 with no band score lower than 50 | |
| LanguageCert | C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS and no less than Pass in each skill or C2 Mastery IESOL (LRWS) with PASS and no less than Pass in each skill | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE III with no less than pass in any band |
Note 1 The listed outcomes represent the minimum scores or grades for each test or qualification that qualify a student for enrolment at each programme level. Students with higher scores or grades than required for a particular programme level may still enrol at that level. Where the entry requirements for a programme are for a higher English proficiency outcome than is listed in the relevant row of the Table for the programme level in which the student is being enrolled, the student must meet that higher level.
Note 2 IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).
Note 3 New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases, new qualifications were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019.
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