New Zealand English Language Requirements: IELTS, PTE and TOEFL Scores by Study Level
TL;DR: New Zealand English language requirements are set as minimums by NZQA and raised by each university. For a bachelor's degree, expect IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5. For postgraduate study at Level 8 and above, the NZQA minimum is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, PTE Academic 58 with no band below 50, or TOEFL iBT 79 with writing 21. Your result must be from the two years before your programme starts.
New Zealand handles English differently from Australia. There is no single visa score table to look up. Instead, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) sets the minimum English level a university or institute must see before it enrols you, and each programme can ask for more. That makes your course page the place where the real answer lives.
Not sure your English score fits the New Zealand programme you want? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
How the rules fit together
NZQA's rules for international students say a provider must have evidence that you reached the required English level in an approved test, or that you meet one of the exemptions. The scores rise with the level of study on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. A bachelor's degree sits at Level 7, and postgraduate diplomas and master's degrees at Levels 8 and 9.
NZQA also says that if a programme's own English requirement is higher than the minimum, you must meet the higher one.
For a quick guide to what each level means, read our explainer on New Zealand qualification levels.
Want a view on whether your band scores fit your programme before you apply?
The scores for each level
| Level of study | IELTS Academic | Other tests (Level 8 minimum) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree (Level 7), example: Massey University | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | Check the course page |
| Postgraduate (Level 8 and above), NZQA minimum | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | PTE Academic 58, no band below 50; TOEFL iBT 79 with writing 21; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176, no skill below 169 |
Two rules apply to every test:
- Band scores count. New Zealand looks at your lowest band, not just your overall score. A 6.5 overall with a 5.5 in writing does not meet a postgraduate requirement.
- Two years is the limit. NZQA requires the result to be achieved in the two years before your programme's start date. Count back from the start of your course, not from the day you apply.
Who does not need a test
NZQA lists ways to meet the requirement without a test score. They include:
- NCEA Level 3 with New Zealand University Entrance.
- A degree taught in English from a listed country, including New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.
- Earlier schooling in English in a listed country, such as five years of secondary school, or all of primary school plus three years of secondary school.
Universities can also accept their own English programmes. Massey University, for example, accepts completion of its English for Academic Purposes 2 course for undergraduate entry.
If you think an exemption applies to you, ask the university to confirm it in writing before you skip the test, because the provider is the one that must hold the evidence.
How to plan your test
- Find the requirement on your course page, including the lowest band allowed.
- Choose your test. IELTS Academic, PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT are all on NZQA's approved list, but confirm that your university accepts the one you choose.
- Book with time to spare. Aim to have your result before you accept your offer, so a retake does not push your visa application back.
- Check the date. Your result must still be inside the two-year window when your course begins.
Your English result is one of the documents behind your student visa file. For the money and timing side, see New Zealand student visa processing time.
Applying from Sri Lanka
NZQA's English-medium exemptions are limited to a short list of countries, so check the list before you rely on English-medium school or university study in Sri Lanka. Most applicants from Sri Lanka will need a test score. IELTS and PTE Academic can both be taken in Colombo.
FAQ
What IELTS score do I need for New Zealand? For most bachelor's degrees, IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5. For postgraduate study, at least 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Your programme may ask for more.
Is PTE accepted in New Zealand? Yes. PTE Academic is on NZQA's approved list. The Level 8 minimum is 58 with no band below 50.
How old can my English test be for New Zealand? It must be from the two years before your programme's start date.
Do New Zealand universities check band scores? Yes. The lowest band matters as much as the overall score.
Can my English-medium degree replace IELTS? Only if it was taught in one of the countries NZQA lists. Degrees from other countries usually need a test.
Who sets the English requirement, the university or the visa? The university, within NZQA's minimum rules. Always use your programme's requirement.
PS: One low band can hold up a New Zealand offer as easily as a low overall score. Check your weakest skill first and book early. If you want us to look at your scores against the programme you have in mind, check your eligibility with Prosper.
References
English language entry requirements for international students, New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), accessed 07/10/2026. https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/
English language competency, Massey University calendar and regulations, accessed 07/10/2026. https://massey.ac.nz/about/university-calendar-and-regulations/english-language-competency
English Language Entry Requirements (NZQA Level 8 outcomes), Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, accessed 07/10/2026. https://www.witt.ac.nz/International/English-Language-Entry-Requirements/
