New Zealand University Entry Requirements: What Each Level Asks For
TL;DR: New Zealand university entry requirements depend on your level. For a bachelor's degree, each university checks whether your school qualification counts as equivalent to New Zealand's University Entrance: three A level passes with at least one C, or an IB Diploma of 24 points, is a common minimum at the universities below. For a taught master's, you need a recognised bachelor's degree, and many programmes also set a grade average, such as the B-/B/B+ range at the University of Waikato or a grade point equivalent of 5.0 for the University of Auckland's MSc.
There is no single national application. Each of the eight universities publishes its own rules, often by country. The tables below compare five universities using their own admission pages, so you can see where you stand before you apply. If you are applying from Sri Lanka, the local points are near the end.
Not sure your school results or degree meet a New Zealand university's entry rule? Check your eligibility with Prosper.
What do New Zealand universities ask for at bachelor's level?
New Zealand school leavers enter with University Entrance. International applicants are admitted "at an equivalent level", which the University of Otago calls admission ad eundem statum. In practice, each university keeps a list of overseas qualifications it treats as equivalent, and you need to meet that list plus the English requirement.
Recognised school qualifications. Otago says it "recognises many international qualifications as equivalent to New Zealand University Entrance" and asks for records in English. Some applicants need a credentials assessment, and the only report Otago accepts is the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) Course-by-Course Evaluation Report.
One year of university study. Otago and Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington may consider at least one year of study at a recognised tertiary institution instead of school results.
Foundation programmes. Victoria University of Wellington says its Foundation Studies programme leads directly into undergraduate study once completed. Massey and Waikato also list foundation routes.
Bachelor's entry at five universities compared
University | A levels | IB Diploma | Country-specific list | Other routes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Waikato | UK A levels: 6 points from three subjects (A=5 to E=1); AS levels not counted | 24 points | Yes, by country | NCUK International Foundation Year at BBB or above |
Massey | Three A levels taken outside New Zealand and the UK, one at C or better | 24 points | Yes, by country | Foundation Certificate (International) |
AUT | Three A levels including at least one C | 24 points | Yes, by country | NCUK IFY at CCC or above |
Victoria University of Wellington | Outside the UK: three passes, one at C or higher | 24 points | Country selector | Foundation Studies, one year of tertiary study |
Otago | Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel International A levels, with conditions | Accepted, with conditions | Yes, entrance list | Foundation Studies, diploma pathways, one year of tertiary study |
The University of Auckland lists its requirements by country on each programme in its "Find a study option" search, so check your exact programme there.
Want help reading your results against these lists before you choose a university?
What do you need for a master's in New Zealand?
The base rule is the same everywhere: a recognised bachelor's degree. The differences are in the grade, the subject match and the programme.
Waikato asks for a recognised bachelor's degree with a B-/B/B+ average for a taught master's, and a B/B+ average for a master's by thesis.
University of Auckland lists a grade point equivalent of 5.0 for its MSc, with a 240-point path for science graduates and a 120-point path after one year of postgraduate study. It notes these are "the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry".
AUT sets a minimum of "a successfully completed bachelor's degree in the same area of study".
Victoria University of Wellington asks for a qualification equivalent to a New Zealand bachelor's degree, may accept relevant work experience instead for selected programmes with case-by-case approval, and says "GMAT or GRE scores are not required".
New Zealand also has 120-point, 180-point and 240-point master's degrees, which affects how long you study. Our guide to New Zealand qualification levels explains how Level 8 and Level 9 fit together.
Which rule should you check first?
If your background is | Check first |
|---|---|
A levels outside the UK | The university's own A level rule (points or grades) |
IB Diploma | Whether you reached 24 points |
School results that do not meet the list | Foundation programme entry rules |
A bachelor's in the same field | The programme's grade average or grade point equivalent |
A bachelor's in a different field | Whether a 240-point or conversion route exists |
Work experience but a lower grade | Whether the programme considers experience |
English is a separate test. Our guide to New Zealand English language requirements sets out the scores by level. Victoria University of Wellington notes that applicants who do not yet meet the English requirement can still receive a conditional offer, but must meet it before applying for a student visa. To compare the eight universities by subject, see our guide to New Zealand universities for international students, and before you accept an offer, check the provider.
Applying from Sri Lanka
Waikato lists "Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels with at least three C grades achieved" for bachelor's entry.
Massey lists "GCE A-levels with a minimum of three credit passes".
AUT lists "GCE A levels with a minimum of three A-level grades, with one grade being at least 'C' or higher".
If a university has no Sri Lanka entry on its list, ask its international admissions team before you apply rather than assuming.
For a master's, request official transcripts and your university's grading scale early, so the admissions team can work out your grade average.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one entry standard for all New Zealand universities?
No. Each university sets its own list of accepted overseas qualifications, as the table shows.
Can I apply with A levels if one grade is below C?
Often, yes. Massey, AUT and Victoria University of Wellington ask for at least one C among three passes outside the UK.
Do I need GMAT or GRE for a New Zealand master's?
Victoria University of Wellington says no. Other universities set this by programme.
What if my results fall short?
Foundation programmes at several universities lead into a bachelor's degree.
Does meeting the minimum guarantee a place?
No. Auckland states that its listed grades do not guarantee entry, and some programmes are competitive.
PS: The fastest way to lose a month is to apply to a university whose list does not include your qualification. Five minutes on each university's country page saves that. Check your eligibility with Prosper and we will match your results to the right list.
Sandeepani Wickramasinghe
References
Entry requirements for international students, University of Waikato. https://www.waikato.ac.nz/study/apply/international/entry-requirements-for-international-students/ (accessed 17 October 2026)
Entry requirements for international students, Massey University. https://www.massey.ac.nz/study/entry-requirements-to-study-at-massey/entry-requirements-for-international-students/ (accessed 17 October 2026)
International student entry requirements, Auckland University of Technology. https://www.aut.ac.nz/study/applying/entry-requirements/international-student-entry-requirements (accessed 17 October 2026)
Entry requirements, Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/international/applying/entry-requirements (accessed 17 October 2026)
Entry for international students with overseas qualifications, University of Otago. https://ask.otago.ac.nz/knowledgebase/article/KA-10000227 (accessed 17 October 2026)
Admission ad eundem statum, University of Otago. https://www.otago.ac.nz/study/entry-requirements/admission-ad-eundem-statum (accessed 17 October 2026)
Master of Science (MSc), University of Auckland. https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/study-options/find-a-study-option/master-of-science-msc.html (accessed 17 October 2026)
