What is Required IELTS Score to Study in New Zealand

We all know English proficiency tests (like IELTS) play a crucial role for study abroad aspirants, especially in English-speaking countries like New Zealand.

New Zealand is witnessing a rise in the number of international students year after year. In fact, according to the New Zealand government stats, there were 59,306 international student enrolments in the country from January to August 2023. This marked a 43% increase compared to the full year in 2022.   

If you intend to migrate to this country, knowing the IELTS requirement to study in New Zealand becomes important. The requirement differs per chosen program, university, and visa type.

In this article, I have jotted down various categories of the required IELTS score to study in New Zealand, like the IELTS scores for UG, PG, diploma programs, student visas, etc. Read on to learn more.

Here’s taking a look at the minimum IELTS score required for New Zealand in various courses: 

1. Diploma Courses- This will require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with no band score being lower than 5.5. The minimum academic eligibility is successfully clearing High School. 

2. Bachelors Degree- Aspirants who have successfully passed High School can apply for these degrees in New Zealand. The minimum IELTS score required is 6.0 with no band being lower than 5.5. 

3. Post-Graduate Diploma- The minimum requirement for applying is a Bachelors degree. The IELTS score required is 6.5 at least with no band score being lower than 6.0. 

4. Graduate Diploma- The minimum IELTS score required is 6.0 with no band score going below 5.5. The eligibility for applying is a Bachelors degree. 

5. Masters Degree- A Bachelors degree is required for applying with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 and no band score going below 6.0. 

Getting a student visa for the 2021 or 2022 academic sessions in New Zealand will require a minimum IELTS score of 5.5 as per latest reports. 

What IELTS Score is Required for New Zealand

It is no news that proving English language proficiency through tests like IELTS is crucial for anyone wishing to migrate to New Zealand.

The IELTS requirement varies depending on the purpose for which you have opted to migrate to New Zealand. Hence, you must first check the New Zealand IELTS band requirement for that particular purpose.

Some of the most common purposes one can migrate to New Zealand and their respective IELTS scores are as follows:

1.Higher Education: 

International students booking forward to studying abroad in New Zealand must check the IELTS score requirement per their chosen study program. For the diploma courses, the minimum IELTS score needed is 6.0, with a band score of not less than 5.5., while most bachelor’s degrees require an IELTS score of 6.0. 

On the other hand, a minimum 6.5 IELTS score is usually required for admission to a master’s degree in New Zealand. For a postgraduate diploma, you must score an IELTS band of at least 6.5, with a minimum band score of 6.0. 

New Zealand band requirement after 12

2.Immigration:

If you want to immigrate to New Zealand to live and settle there, one of the criteria you must fulfill is the IELTS requirement. Usually, a minimum band score of 6.5 is required for immigration purposes.

3.Professional Work:

If you want to work in the country, in that case, too, the IELTS requirement is applicable. The IELTS score for New Zealand for professional work is usually an overall score of 6.5., with 6.0 in each of the four modules (listening, reading, writing, and speaking).

Institution-Wise IELTS Score Required in New Zealand 

Here’s taking a closer look at the minimum IELTS Score required in New Zealand’s leading universities and academic institutions. 

1. Massey University

Students are required to have 5.5 as their overall IELTS score for applying for the Diploma in Business Studies course at the university. It is one of the youngest universities in the country and the only one to provide programs in aviation. The minimum IELTS score needed for postgraduate programs is 6.5 (overall). Every band should have a score of at least 6.0 in this case. The minimum IELTS score should be 6.0 (overall) for undergraduate courses while every band should have a minimum score of 5.5.  

2. AUT (Auckland University of Technology)

The minimum overall IELTS score is 5.5-6.0 for students seeking foundation programs at this institution including diploma and undergraduate courses. The university started operations in the year 1906 and offers various courses including Health & Environmental Sciences and Culture & Society. IELTS Academic is the recommended examination to study at the university. Undergraduate courses require 6.0 as the minimum overall IELTS score and at least 5.5 for every segment. For postgraduate courses, the minimum score should be 6.5 (overall) and the score should not be lower than 6.0 for every band. 

3. University of Auckland

The IELTS score required in New Zealand’s famous University of Auckland is 6.0 (overall). No band should also have a score that is lower than 5.5. It is one of the leading institutions in the country, encompassing 30,000+ students and 8 faculties. Programs like engineering require 7.0 as the minimum IELTS score. The minimum score is 6.5 (overall) for postgraduate programs and 6.0 for every band. 

4. University of Otago

The University of Otago is the oldest university in the country and comes with four faculties along with a solid research program. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0 (overall) for undergraduate courses and this is also the minimum score requirement for each band. However, pursuing a degree in Teaching/Education Studies, the minimum IELTS score will be 7.0 (overall) and also 7.0 for each band. Prospective applicants should have a minimum overall score of 6.5 along with 6.0 as the per-band/section score in case of postgraduate courses. The requirements may be slightly more stringent in case of Law, Dentistry and Public Health among other courses. 

5. Victoria University of Wellington

The Victoria University of Wellington was founded in the year 1897 and is famous for its Humanities and Law programs. The minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0 (overall) for undergraduate courses and no band should have a score that is lower than 5.5. In case of postgraduate courses, the overall score requirement is 6.5 along with a minimum score of 6.0 in every IELTS band. 

6. University of Christchurch

The University of Christchurch offers numerous course options for eligible applicants. Global students desirous of enrollment in undergraduate courses should have an overall IELTS score of 6.0. You should also not obtain lower than 6.0 for writing and 5.5 in each of the other IELTS sections. If you are applying for postgraduate courses, then 6.5 is the overall score required along with a minimum score of 6.0 in the writing band and 5.5 as the minimum score for all the other segments. Exceptions are however given to meritorious students and on the case-to-case mechanism. 

7. University of Waikato

The University of Waikato was established in the year 1984 and is one of the youngest such institutions in the country. The minimum score requirement for IELTS is 6.0 and scores should not be lower than 5.5 in every band for undergraduate courses. For postgraduate courses, the overall IELTS score should be 6.5 while the score in every band should be at least 6.0.

8. Lincoln University

Lincoln University is popular for offering one of the country’s very first programs in agriculture along with being the third oldest university in the entire country. Undergraduate applicants will require 6.0 as their overall score and at least 5.5 for every band as part of their IELTS requirement for New Zealand. For postgraduate courses, an overall score of 6.5 will be required. The minimum score should be at least 6.0 for every band. 

Students aspiring to study in New Zealand and follow the details above while planning to apply to some of the country’s top educational institutions.

Important Resources to Read:

IELTS Band Score Chart	How to get 8 band in IELTS	Types of IELTS Exam
Average IELTS Scores	IELTS Score for USA	Study in USA Without IELTS
Study in UK Without IELTS	IELTS Reading Band Score	IELTS Bar Graph
Writing Task 1 Line Graph	Collocation for IELTS	IELTS Reading Tips

Reason to Study in New Zealand

Apart from being one of the safest and most beautiful countries in the world, New Zealand also has some of the top and renowned educational institutions, known for their academic excellence. Below, I have enlisted some of the top reasons why you should consider New Zealand as on your study abroad destination:

World-renowned universities: The University of Auckland, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington and Massey University, Lincoln University are some of the world-famous universities in New Zealand. These universities rank are among the 400 universities per the QS World Rankings 2025 

Course diversity: Apart from providing you with the best academic standards in terms of quality education and teaching methods, New Zealand also offers a wide range of courses to pursue at its universities. The courses match the industrial needs and standards, and a hands-on approach is followed irrespective of any course that you opt for.

Affordable educational costs: If you compare the cost of education in New Zealand with other nations like the UK, the USA, etc., you will find that the education cost is remarkably lower, making the student life stress-free. The miscellaneous costs including food, accommodation, and transportation are also manageable. 

Stay-back period after completion of the course: New Zealand offers a stay back period of up to three years after you complete your studies. You can look for job options in New Zealand during this period. The determining factors for the length of your stay would be the nature of the course and its duration.

A pool of job opportunities: The employment rate in New Zealand reached an all time high of 69.80 percent in 2023. This represents a high probability of career progression for international students looking forward to working in New Zealand. 

Minimum IELTS Scores for New Zealand Universities

The IELTS score for New Zealand immigration is different from the university’s standard requirements. If you dream of enrolling in a particular institution, you must check its IELTS eligibility to meet their English proficiency criteria. 

The table below shows some of the reputed universities and their academic requirements:

University	IELTS Score for UG Course	IELTS Score for PG Course
Auckland University of Technology	Overall (band) 6.0, and 5.5 in every segment	6.0 in every brand and overall 6.5
Massey University	6.0 (overall) with no band less than 5.5	Overall, 6.5 and at least 6.0 in every band
University of Otago	Overall score of 6.0, minimum 5.5 each band	Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0
University of Waikato	Overall 6.0, with no band lower than 5.5	At least 6.5 overall, with 6.0 in each module
Lincoln University	Overall 6.0, with minimum 5.5 in each band	Overall 6.5 & minimum 6.0
University of Canterbury	Overall 6.0, with each module as 5.5 band	Overall 6.5, with minimum 6.0 in each module
Victoria University of Wellington	Overall 4.5-6.0	Overall 5.5-6.0

IELTS Requirements for New Zealand Student Visas

To study in New Zealand, you should be aware of different student visa categories and their requirements, such as IELTS scores, before applying. 

Some of the New Zealand student visa categories are as follows:

• Fee-Paying Student Visa: You can study full-time and work part-time if you get this visa. With other conditions, you must get a minimum 5.5 IELTS band score requirement for a New Zealand study visa.
• Exchange Student Visa: In the student exchange program, you are permitted to study full-time for up to 4 years. The IELTS requirements are similar to the fee-paying student visa.
•  Foreign Government-Supported Student Visa: According to the foreign exchange program and rules, the IELTS requirement varies. On the contrary, the visa is granted for up to 4 years.
• Pathway Student Visa: This visa allows you to study for up to five years for three consecutive courses on a single student visa, along with working part-time. IELTS band score requirement is 5.5 for this visa.

How to Study in New Zealand with a 5.5 Band Score

As already established above to study in New Zealand, you should have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above for postgraduate courses and an IELTS score of at least 6 for undergraduate courses. Does this mean if you score an IELTS overall band lower than 6.0, you cannot apply for New Zealand study programs?

Well, the good news is you can still study in New Zealand if you score an IELTS score 5.5 or even lower. Some universities like Massey University and Auckland University of Technology,Victoria University, and Wellington Institute of Technology which have the requirement of 5.5 as their IELTS requirements. 

IELTS Band Requirements for New Zealand Work Visas

New Zealand offers several types of work visas through which anyone can work. The IELTS score requirement for New Zealand is one of the most sought-after criteria you must have. These types include:

1. Entrepreneurial Work Visa

You must have a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 or higher for an entrepreneur work visa. You will not qualify to apply for this visa if you score less than the given band score.

2. Residence from Work Visa

If you have worked in New Zealand in a Green List Tier 2 in-demand role for two or more years, you are eligible for this visa that allows you to stay in the country indefinitely. You must achieve an overall IELTS score of 5.0 or higher to apply for this visa.

3. Post-Study Work Visa

Anyone eligible for this visa after completing any course at any Kiwi university. Per the qualification, it lasts for one, two, or three years. As these students would have previously fulfilled the IELTS band requirement for the New Zealand study visa, no particular band is needed here.

Is IELTS Mandatory for Immigration to New Zealand

As established earlier, people who wish to immigrate to New Zealand must meet certain requirements, including English proficiency. This proves your ability to communicate smoothly in the English language for different purposes in daily life, academic environment, or work life. IELTS is one of the most commonly accepted English tests, while other popular tests like TOEFL, Cambridge, PTE, etc. a re also acceptable to live in New Zealand.

Migration to New Zealand

The New Zealand  government asks for an IELTS score as evidence of English language proficiency for various visas, under the categories of Skilled Migrant, Business, Parent, and Residence from Work.

Category	IELTS Score Requirements (General or Academic)
Skilled Migrant	6.5 (the dependents on the skilled migrant (parents or children) need to have a score of 5 in IELTS)
Business	Employee of a Relocating Business: An overall band score of At least 5 in the General or Academic module Entrepreneur Work Visa: An overall band score of at least 4 in the General or Academic Investor: An overall band score of at least 3 in the General or Academic
Parent	IELTS certificate with at least two competencies bearing the band score 4
Residence from Work	Overall band score of at least 5 in the IELTS General or Academic

How to Prepare for IELTS to Meet New Zealand’s Requirements: 8 Tips

Now you clearly know the detailed answer to the question, is IELTS required for New Zealand? The next step is to ensure an effective preparation strategy to ace the test. 

Essential preparation tips include the following points:

1. Deep dive into the IELTS structure to get a complete idea of the exam. Familiarity with the test format (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) can reduce exam anxiety.
2. Reading is a key factor in achieving success in IELTS. Read newspapers, journals, novels, and magazines daily to sharpen your reading skills. 
3. Speaking is an important part of IELTS, and you must practice it regularly. Record yourself answering the sample questions and revisit the recordings to understand where to focus to achieve fluency.
4. Daily listening to English audio (songs, news) helps you better grasp the English language. Hence, you are accustomed to English ascent too.  
5. Creating a study schedule plays a pivotal role in acing the exam. You must dedicate sufficient time to each section, covering its different question types.
6. Regularly take full-length practice tests. It gives you an examination-like environment. You will also become familiar with the time limit and be able to speed up as required. 
7. Mastering English language intricacies is an important aspect before sitting for the actual exam. Proper usage of grammar, vocabulary, and syntax improves your English skills.
8. Seeking feedback on your practice set is also significant. One can also hire a tutor to evaluate the practice set. 

Meeting the New Zealand IELTS requirements for study, work, and migration is crucial. I hope this article provides you with the necessary IELTS score requirements in New Zealand for different purposes. You can now prepare for the test accordingly, ensuring a smooth start to your study abroad journey.

Disclaimer: All information has been mentioned per current stats from official immigration and university websites and is subject to change at any time.

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