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English language requirements

Our courses are taught in English, so you need to be able to read and write well in English to understand the course materials and submit written assessments. Assessments can also be submitted in te reo Māori.

If you are an international learner or a domestic learner, and English or Māori is not your first language, you must meet the English language entry requirements for the qualification you are enrolling in. When applying you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. 

Use the information below to check the level of English needed for each programme type. You should also check the admission requirements on the qualification page, as some may have higher requirements than outlined on this page.

International learner English language entry requirements

Check the level of programme you want to enrol in below to see the minimum English language requirements for that level. 

You must achieve one of the internationally recognised proficiency test outcomes specified within the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment. Usually test results must be from a single report.

  • Certificate at Level 3
    • IELTS test – a General or Academic score of 5.0, with no band score lower than 5.0.
    • Cambridge English Qualifications – B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill.
    • LanguageCert – B1 Achiever International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS.
    • NZCEL – Level 3 (General).
    • Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests.
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36.
    • TOEFL internet -based test (iBT) – Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14). 
    • Trinity ISE – ISE I with no less than distinction in any band. 

    Exceptions

    • New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Introduction to Pharmacy Practice) (Level 3) requires an IELTS (Academic) score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5.0, or equivalent.
  • Certificate at Level 4
    • Cambridge English Qualifications – B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill.
    • IELTS test – a General or Academic score of 5.5, with no band score lower than 5.
    • LanguageCert – B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS. 
    • NZCEL – Level 3 (Applied).
    • Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests. 
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36.
    • TOEFL internet -based test (iBT) – Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14). 
    • Trinity ISE – ISE II with no less than pass in any band. 

    Exceptions

    • New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Technician - Core) (Level 4) requires an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with no band score lower than 6.0, or equivalent.
  • Certificate and Level 5
    • Cambridge English Qualifications – B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. 
    • IELTS test – an Academic score of 5.5, with no band score lower than 5.
    • LanguageCert – B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS. 
    • NZCEL – Level 4 (General) or (Employment).
    • Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests. 
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36. 
    • TOEFL internet – based test (iBT) - Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14). 
    • Trinity ISE – ISE II with no less than merit in any band. 

    Exceptions

    • New Zealand Certificate in Pharmacy (Pharmacy Technician - Advanced) (Level 5) requires an IELTS (Academic)of score 6.0 with no band score lower than 5.5 or equivalent
  • Certificate or Diploma at Level 6, Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma at Level 7
    • Cambridge English Qualifications – 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.
    • IELTS test – an Academic score of 6.0, with no band score lower than 5.5.
    • LanguageCert – C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS. 
    • NZCEL – Level 4 (Academic).
    • Occupational English Test (OET) – Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests.
    • Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42. 
    • TOEFL internet -based test (iBT) – Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18).
    • Trinity ISE – ISE II with no less than distinction in any band. 

    Exceptions

    • The Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) requires a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0) with no band score lower than 7.0, or equivalent.
    • The Bachelor of Social Work requires a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.5 or a TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) score of 85 or higher, with a writing score of 22.
    • The Teacher Education Refresh requires a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with no band score lower than 7.0, or equivalent.

Existing English language proficiency

You may also provide evidence of your English skills from one of the criteria below. 

  • Previous secondary school study in New Zealand

    If you have achieved NCEA Level 3 and have met New Zealand University entrance requirements, you may be eligible for enrolment at all levels of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

  • Previous study in English

    If you can provide evidence that you attended a school or tertiary education provider where English was the language of instruction you may be eligible for enrolment at all levels of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

    Evidence includes:

    • If you have completed all of your primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8), and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13); or
    • If you have completed at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13); or
    • You have been awarded a Bachelor’s degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours degree, or Doctoral degree

    To be eligible to enrol under the ‘Previous study in English’ criteria you must have studied in one of the following countries: 

    • New Zealand
    • Australia
    • Canada
    • Republic of Ireland
    • South Africa
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
  • Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA)

    If you can provide evidence that you have gained a Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages(CELTA), you may be eligible for enrolment at all levels of the NZQF.

  • Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL)

    If you can provide evidence that you have gained a Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), you may be eligible for enrolment at all levels of the NZQF.

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A-Level Qualification

    If you can provide evidence that you have gained an International Baccalaureate Diploma or Cambridge A-Level qualification for which the teaching and assessment was conducted in English, you may be eligible for enrolment at all levels of the NZQF.

Teaching Council requirements for teachers

Teaching requires a high standard of English competency in speaking, writing, reading and listening. 
 
You must provide evidence of meeting one of the English language competency requirements specified by the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. You can check the range of evidence that the Teaching Council accepts on their website:

Teaching Council website - Language competency requirements

Need help?

If you have any questions about English language entry requirements please get in touch or check the NZQA website.

Contact us

English language requirements for international students - NZQA website (Opens in new window)

 

Related information

How to apply
International learners and studying overseas