English Language Requirements

The language of instruction in New Zealand is English, except at Maori institutions. Your institution will therefore want to know whether your English skills are adequate for the course of study you are applying for.

Tertiary institutions will ask for original documents or certified photocopies of one of the following:

• An IELTS (International English Language Testing System) band score of 6 with no band less than 5.5. IELTS is used at many tertiary institutions in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and North America. It assesses your ability to read, write, speak and listen in academic or general training contexts. It is developed and managed by the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia.
• A pass in English in the GCE (General Certificate of Education) 'O' level examination
• A TOEFL (Princeton Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper test (not the computer test) score of 550 and a TWE (Test of Written English) score of 4 (paper-based test) or 213, Essay rating 4.0 (Computer-based test)

English Language Schools

Language schools offer courses from beginner level, i.e. for people who can say 'hello' and 'goodbye' and have basic knowledge of the alphabet. For absolute beginners, who have no previous language learning experience, private tuition can be arranged.