English language requirements for study in New Zealand are the proof of English that every provider needs before it can enrol an international student. The minimum scores are set nationally by NZQA and depend on the level of the programme: a bachelor's degree needs IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and a master's or postgraduate diploma needs IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6.0. NZQA also accepts TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge, LanguageCert and New Zealand's own NZCEL certificate. Duolingo is not in the NZQA table, though some universities accept it.
Updated 30 September 2026. Requirements are taken from official sources on that date.
How many points you need: the NZQA table by level
NZQA publishes the mandatory minimums for international students on programmes at levels 3–10 (NZQA table, edition with the 21.01.2026 TOEFL note). Levels refer to the NZQCF (formerly NZQF), New Zealand's qualifications framework.
| Test | Level 3 (certificates) | Level 4 | Level 5 (diplomas) | Levels 6–7 (diplomas, bachelor's) | Levels 8–10 (postgraduate diplomas, master's, PhD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | General or Academic 5.0, all bands ≥5.0 | General or Academic 5.5, bands ≥5.0 | Academic 5.5, bands ≥5.0 | Academic 6.0, bands ≥5.5 | Academic 6.5, bands ≥6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 35 (writing 14) | 46 (writing 14) | 46 (writing 14) | 60 (writing 18) | 79 (writing 21) |
| PTE Academic | 36 (all ≥36) | 42 (≥36) | 42 (≥36) | 50 (≥42) | 58 (≥50) |
| Cambridge (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) | 154 (≥154) | 162 (≥154) | 162 (≥154) | 169 (≥162) | 176 (≥169) |
| LanguageCert Academic | 55 (≥55) | 60 (≥55) | 60 (≥55) | 65 (≥60) | 70 (≥65) |
| NZCEL | level 3 (General) | level 3 (Applied or Academic) | level 4 (General or Employment) | level 4 (Academic) | level 5 (Academic) |
The same table also covers OET and Trinity ISE, which are used less often. The practical rule is simple: the higher the level, the higher the threshold, and from level 5 upwards you need the Academic IELTS, not General Training.
Rules that matter more than the numbers
The NZQA table is a minimum, and it comes with conditions (NZQA, updated 2026):
- if a programme sets a higher requirement, the higher one applies;
- all scores must come from one test report (a single Test Report Form);
- IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, so you can resit one band without sitting the whole test again;
- TOEFL "MyBest Scores" and the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition are not accepted;
- the new-format TOEFL (from 21 January 2026) uses a different scale and is not accepted by polytechnics and private providers; tests taken before that date and the TOEFL iBT Australia/New Zealand are accepted, and universities decide for themselves (NZQA TOEFL update);
- the rule does not apply to English language courses or programmes taught in another language.
University requirements are often higher
Universities set their own requirements, sometimes above the NZQA minimum. Examples for 2026:
| University | Bachelor's | Master's and postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| University of Auckland | IELTS Academic 6.0, bands ≥5.5 | IELTS 6.5, bands ≥6.0; higher for some programmes (Education, Social Work and others) |
| Victoria University of Wellington | IELTS 6.0, bands ≥5.5 | IELTS 6.5 (≥6.0), TOEFL iBT 90 (writing ≥20), PTE 58 (≥50), NZCEL 5 (Academic) |
| Lincoln University | IELTS 6.0 (≥5.5), Duolingo 105 (≥95) | IELTS 6.5 (≥6.0), TOEFL iBT 80, PTE 58, Duolingo 120 (≥105) |
Sources: University of Auckland — undergraduate and postgraduate; Victoria University of Wellington; Lincoln University — checked 30.09.2026.
Lincoln accepts test results that are less than 2 years old at the start of study, including IELTS Online. Duolingo only works where the provider lists it: polytechnics and private providers that follow the NZQA table usually do not.
When you may not need a test
NZQA lists alternatives to a test (NZQA):
- at least 5 years of secondary school (or primary plus at least 3 years of secondary) taught in English in a listed country such as Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA or Ireland;
- NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance, or A-levels or the IB taught in English;
- a bachelor's degree or higher taught in English in a listed country.
Russia and the CIS countries are not on that list, so a degree from those countries, even one taught in English, does not usually exempt you. Most applicants from Russia and the CIS will need a test.
If you are short of the score
- Resit one band. NZQA accepts IELTS One Skill Retake, so half a point short in one band does not mean sitting the whole exam again.
- Take a provider's English course. Lincoln University, for example, runs English for Academic Purposes (EAP) from IELTS 4.0 to 6.5, with direct entry to the programme and modules starting almost every month (Lincoln).
- Gain an NZCEL instead of a test. On the NZQA table, NZCEL level 4 (Academic) opens bachelor's study and level 5 (Academic) opens master's study. The NIU catalogue includes Skill New Zealand's NZCEL (Academic) Level 5 on campus and online.
- Start one level lower. Level 5 diplomas have a lower minimum of IELTS 5.5. It is a legitimate route to a degree, but work out the study length and visa rights in advance.
IELTS Academic or General Training?
NZQA accepts both formats up to level 4. From level 5 (diplomas, bachelor's, master's) only Academic counts, so if you are preparing for a degree, sit the Academic test: a General Training result will not get you onto a degree.
English on NIU programmes
Joint programmes at Nairi International University (NIU) start online and continue on campus at a New Zealand partner. The test is needed for the on-campus stage, not for the online start:
| Programme | Requirement | When it is needed |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Informatics (NIU + ICL), level 9 | IELTS Academic 6.5, no band below 6.0 | for the ICL stage; not required for the NIU stage |
| Bachelor of Business Information Systems (NIU + ICL), level 7 | IELTS Academic 6.0, no band below 5.5 | for the move to ICL; agree the timing with an adviser |
The practical advantage of an online start is that you can prepare for and sit IELTS during the first MBI semester with NIU, in time for the ICL offer, rather than delaying your studies for a certificate. Teaching at NIU is in English, so the study itself works as preparation.
Catalogue requirements: examples
Every programme in the Programs and courses catalogue lists its English requirement on its own page. A few examples:
- Master of Information Technology — AIS: IELTS Academic 6.5 (≥6.0), TOEFL iBT 79, PTE 58 or NZCEL 5 (Academic);
- Master of Business Informatics (Business Analytics) — Yoobee: IELTS Academic 6.5 (≥6.0) or an NZQA-approved equivalent;
- Bachelor of Business — AIS: level 7, so the NZQA minimum is IELTS Academic 6.0 (≥5.5);
- Postgraduate Diploma in Information Technology — AIS: level 8, so the NZQA minimum is IELTS Academic 6.5 (≥6.0).
How to apply without school-leaving exam results is covered in Entry requirements, and start dates in Intakes and start dates.
Sources
All links checked on 30 September 2026.
- NZQA — English language entry requirements for international students: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/
- NZQA — Table for internationally recognised English proficiency outcomes: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/assets/About-us/Our-rules-fees-and-policies/NZQA-Rules/2025/Table-for-internationally-recognised-English-proficiency-outcomes-for-international-students.pdf
- NZQA — Update on the TOEFL iBT test: https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/news/update-on-the-toefl-ibt-test-for-english-proficiency/
- University of Auckland — Undergraduate English language requirements: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/applications-and-admissions/entry-requirements/undergraduate-entry-requirements/undergraduate-english-language-requirements.html
- University of Auckland — Postgraduate English language requirements: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/applications-and-admissions/entry-requirements/postgraduate-entry-requirements/postgraduate-english-language-requirements.html
- Victoria University of Wellington — English language requirements (postgraduate): https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/entry-requirements/english-language/standard-postgraduate
- Lincoln University — English language requirements: https://www.lincoln.ac.nz/study/apply-and-enrol/apply/english-language-requirements/