All applicants whose first language is not English must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake a programme of study. The most common English proficiency outcome is International English Language Testing System, or IELTS. However, there are other internationally recognised tests, such as TOEFL, Cambridge or PTE, who can be used as well. Please note, that some education providers do not accept English proficiency assessment tests other than IELTS for specific programmes of study. This information is always provided by an admission team.
The following table gives a comparison between the different exams. In some cases, specialisations (Teaching, Engineering, Nursing, etc.) may require higher scores than indicated in the table.
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Certificate Level 3 |
Certificate Level 4 |
Certificate or Diploma Level 5 |
Certificate or Diploma Level 6 Diploma or Degree Level 7 |
Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate Level 8 |
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IELTS |
General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 |
General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 |
Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 |
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TOEFL Paper-based |
Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) |
Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) |
Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) |
Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) |
Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE) |
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TOEFL iBT |
Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) |
Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) |
Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) |
Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) |
Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21) |
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Cambridge English Qualification |
B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill |
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 |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill |
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NZCEL |
Level 3 (General) |
Level 3 (Applied) |
Level 4 (General) or (Employment) |
Level 4 (Academic) |
Level 5 |
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PTE Academic |
PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 |
PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 |
PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 |
PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 |
PTE (Academic) score of 58 with no band score lower than 50 |