Postgraduate English Language Proficiency Requirements and

International English Language Equivalencies

Overview

The University of Auckland (UoA) sets standards for English Language proficiency for
admission to the University for international applicants. All international applicants are
required to provide satisfactory evidence of their proficiency in English.

This could be an acceptable English language test, such as IELTS or TOEFL, or previous
academic study completed in English. The purpose of this document is to outline what will
be accepted as satisfactory evidence for this requirement.

Note: Domestic applicants are not included.

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

1
Pathways for Meeting English Language Proficiency

International Applicants from Majority English Speaking Countries ........................... 3

English Proficiency Tests .................................................................................... 3

Prior Study in English ........................................................................................ 4

3.1 Foundation English Programmes................................................................... 5

3.2 Tertiary Study in the English Medium ............................................................ 5

3.3 Qualifications taught in Offshore Campuses ................................................... 7

3.4 Graduate Diplomas from New Zealand Universities and Polytechnic Institutions... 7

Special Cases ................................................................................................... 7

4.1 Studies in English Language ........................................................................ 7

4.2 Engineering Applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate in Light Metals Reduction
Technology .............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

4.3 Teaching in English .................................................................................... 8

4.4 Law Applicants from Norway ........................................................................ 8

4.5 The Occupational English Test ...................................................................... 8

English Language Waivers.................................................................................. 8

5.1 English Language Waiver Conditions ............................................................. 9

5.2 Marginal Test Scores .................................................................................. 9

Postgraduate Degree-Specific English Language Proficiency Requirements .............. 10

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

2
 International Applicants from Majority English Speaking Countries

Passport holders of the countries listed below will satisfy English language proficiency
requirements if they have successful academic tertiary study in the English medium:

• Canada
• Ireland
• Singapore
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

Note: The English language requirement for the Master of Social Work programme can only
be met via an IELTS or TOEFL iBT test due to professional registration requirements. If you
have completed tertiary study in the English medium but you are not a passport holder of
one of the countries listed above please refer to Section 3.2 for further information.

English Proficiency Tests

Validity Period - All test results are valid for two years from the date on the test certificate
to the start of the UoA programme. Requirements must be met on one test certificate.

Exceptions - Some programmes have higher requirements; for these please refer to the
degree specific requirements on page 10.

Minimum Requirements

IELTS (Academic) 1 Overall score of 6.5 and no bands below 6.0

IELTS Indicator 2 Overall score of 6.5 and no bands below 6.0

Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21

Internet based TOEFL (iBT) – Special Home

Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21
Edition

Paper-based TOEFL Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21

C1 Advanced (previously Cambridge English:

Overall score of 176 and no bands below 169
Advanced (CAE))

C2 Proficiency (previously Cambridge English

Overall score of 176 and no bands below 169
Proficiency (CPE))

Overall score of 58 and no PTE Communicative score

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic1
below 50

1
IELTS and PTE UKVI tests are also accepted.

2
Must undertake Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) screening and any stipulated follow-up
action within 2 weeks of enrolment at the University of Auckland.
Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

3
 Overall score of 58 and no PTE Communicative score
PTE Online 3
below 50

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery

85
(MELAB)

Trinity College London Integrated Skills in ISE III with a pass in all 4 components
English (ISE)

C1 Expert (LRWS) with a high pass overall and no less

LanguageCert – International ESOL than a pass in each skill OR C2 Mastery with a pass
overall and no less than a pass in each skill

AEMG English for Academic Purposes Direct

Overall score of 70% with no section below 65%
Entry Program (AEAP DEP) Final Exam

English New Zealand Accredited Pathway

Assessment Level 3 overall and no skill below Level 2
Assessment

Oxford Test of English Overall score of 140 and no module score below 126

Prior Study in English

Validity Period – Prior study in English is valid for two years from the date you completed
your previous study to the date you begin your study at UoA

The validity period can be extended to five years with evidence of further study in English,
English language work experience, or if you hold a passport from a “predominantly” English-
speaking country 4. The decision to extend the validity period to five years will be assessed
on a case-by-case basis. Completion of the following qualifications with the required English
grade will meet our Postgraduate English Language Proficiency Requirements. Each of these
English grades also has an assigned IELTS equivalency. Some of the programmes below
only have IELTS equivalency for IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0). If you are applying for a
programme with a higher IELTS requirement, you will need to sit one of the approved
English proficiency tests on page 3.

Note: The English language requirement for the Master of Social Work programme can only
be met via an IELTS or TOEFL iBT test due to professional registration requirements.

3
Must undertake Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) screening and any stipulated follow-up
action within 2 weeks of enrolment at the University of Auckland.
4
American Samoa, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Fiji, Gibraltar, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya,
Lesotho, Liberia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, South Africa, The Gambia, Tonga, Trinidad and
Tobago, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

4
 3.1 Foundation English Programmes

Foundation Programme English grade required IELTS equivalence

A- Overall score of 7.0 and no bands

University of Auckland Foundation Certificate in below 6.5
English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP) Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
B-
below 6.0

A- Overall score of 7.0 and no bands

University of Auckland English Pathway for below 6.5
Postgraduate Studies (EPPS) Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
B-
below 6.0
A overall, minimum A in
Auckland University of Technology Certificate in Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
Writing, all other grades
English for Academic Study below 6.0
B+ or higher

Lincoln University Certificate in English for Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
70%
Academic Purposes below 6.0

University of Otago English for Postgraduate Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
C
Academic Purposes (English for Otago) below 6.0

A overall with no bands Overall score of 7.0 and no bands

below B below 6.5
NCUK International Master’s Preparation Year
English for Academic Purposes module (EAP)
B overall with no bands Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
below C below 6.0

3.2 Tertiary Study in the English Medium

For prior tertiary study, applicants are required to meet one of the following requirements:

Sub-doctoral

• A bachelor degree (minimum 3 years duration); OR

• A postgraduate qualification (minimum of one year duration)

Doctoral

• A bachelor degree (minimum three years duration); OR

• A postgraduate qualification (minimum one year duration) AND a bachelor degree (minimum 3
years duration), with no greater than two years between the completion of the bachelor degree
and the beginning of the postgraduate study; OR
• A postgraduate qualification (minimum 2 years duration)

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

5
The qualification must be from a university, or polytechnic institution recognised by UK
ENIC 5 or NOOSR 6 and the degree must be comparable to a New Zealand university or
polytechnic degree 7.

This is valid for the following countries and territories:

• Australia
• Barbados
• Botswana
• Canada (if the degree has been taught in English)
• Cayman Islands
• Cyprus (if the degree has been taught in English)
• Fiji
• Ghana
• Guyana
• Hong Kong (if the degree has been taught in English)
• India (if degree has been taught in English, and the awarding institution
is on this list)
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Malaysia (if the degree has been taught in English)
• Malta
• Mauritius
• Nigeria
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Samoa
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• South Africa (if the degree has been taught in English)
• Sri Lanka (if the degree has been taught in English)
• Sweden
• Tanzania
• The Netherlands
• Uganda (if the degree has been taught in English)
• UK
• USA
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

5
UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills
6
National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia
7
At the request of the Board of Graduate Studies, doctoral applicants may be required to supply further evidence
of their English language proficiency.

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

6
Also:

• University of the South Pacific: all campuses

• University of the West Indies: all campuses

3.3 Qualifications taught in Offshore Campuses

Some universities offer qualifications from their offshore campuses in multiple locations
around the world. Successful completion of qualifications at bachelor degree level or higher
from these campuses is acceptable for English Language equivalency for admission to
postgraduate studies 8.

3.4 Graduate Diplomas from New Zealand Universities and Polytechnic

Institutions

Applicants must have completed a one-year full-time Graduate Diploma from a New Zealand
University, or Polytechnic Institution. Please note that this does not meet the English
language requirement for Doctoral programmes.

Special Cases

4.1 Studies in English Language

Completion of a postgraduate qualification at least one year in duration and in the subject
of English language, from a university recognised by UK ENIC 9 or NOOSR 10. Note: The same
validity period which is stated in Section 3 also applies here.

8
At the request of the Board of Graduate Studies, doctoral applicants may be required to supply further evidence
of their English language proficiency.
9
UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills
10
National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition – Australia

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

7
4.2 Teaching in English

Experience teaching at a tertiary level in the English medium, for two years or more, in a
recognised university where English is the language of instruction. Please refer to the list of
acceptable countries in Section 3.2. Note: The same validity period which is stated in Section
3 also applies here.

4.3 Law Applicants from Norway

Applicants from Norway who are applying for postgraduate programmes in law will qualify
for admission and English equivalency provided they have obtained a pass (minimum 4) in
Vitnemal English.

4.4 The Occupational English Test

The Occupational English Test (OET) will be accepted for all Faculty of Medical and Health
Science programmes.

OET Score IELTS Equivalence

Grade B or minimum score of

Overall score of 7.5 and no bands
400 out of 500 in each of the four
below 7.0
skills

Grade C+ or minimum score of

Overall score of 6.5 and no bands
300 out of 500 in each of the four
below 6.0
skills

Note: The same validity period which is stated in Section 2 also applies here.

English Language Waivers

Applicants who have not met English proficiency through the above standards may, in some
circumstances, be granted a waiver. An applicant’s eligibility for a waiver to sub-doctoral
programmes will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by Applications and Admissions and
may require further supporting evidence. All applicants who are awarded a waiver will be
required to sit a Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA) no later than two
weeks after the start of their first semester. Any recommended enrichment/support must
be undertaken. For Doctoral applicants seeking a waiver, a recommendation must be
submitted by the Academic Head of the relevant academic unit to the Doctoral Admissions
team. All cases will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Note: Applicants applying for the Master of Social Work Programme are not eligible for
English Language Waivers.

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

8
5.1 English Language Waiver Conditions

For a waiver to be considered, an applicant needs a combination of at least two of the

following:

• Completion of a bachelor degree from a University, or Polytechnic Institution from

a country not listed in Section 3.2. The medium of instruction during this study
must have been English and must not have been completed more than 2 years
before the beginning of study at UoA.
• Completion of a postgraduate qualification (at least one year in duration), or a
bachelor degree from a University, or Polytechnic Institution, from one of the
countries listed in Section 3.2. This prior study must have been completed at
least 5 years before the start of study at UoA.
• Published research in English where the applicant was the lead researcher and
presented in English at conference(s).
• Evidence of extensive work experience in English.

5.2 Marginal Test Scores

Applicants who have not achieved the required scores in an IELTS, TOEFL or PTE Academic
test may be considered for an English Language Waiver.

IELTS: Where the applicant has submitted an overall IELTS result which is lower than the
minimum requirement by 0.5-1.0 point, but the written and reading scores meet the
minimum. That is, an IELTS overall speaking or listening score may be lower by 0.5-1.0
point but an IELTS with a low writing or reading score will not be considered.

TOEFL: Where the applicant has submitted an overall TOEFL score (internet- or paper-based
test) which is lower than the minimum requirement by up to 2 points, but the written English
score meets or exceeds the minimum.

PTE: Where the applicant has submitted an overall PTE result which is lower than the
minimum requirement by up to 8 points, but the communicative score meets the minimum.

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024,
for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

9
 Postgraduate Degree-Specific English Language Proficiency Requirements

AEMG AEAP DEP Final

IELTS TOEFL CAE or CPE FCertEAP PTE Academic MELAB
Exam

Minimum Minimum Overall Minimum

Overall Writing Overall Overall Overall Overall
Postgraduate Programmes Overall score Minimum band score band communicative score section
score score score score Score score
score skills score score

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Bachelor of Science (Honours) 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Architecture 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Arts 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Biomedical Science 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Commerce 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Dance Studies 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Education 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Engineering 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Fine Arts 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Health Sciences 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Health Leadership 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Law 7.0 6.5 98 24 185 176 A- 65 58 90 N/A N/A

Postgraduate programmes in Music 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Nursing 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Optometry 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Planning 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Property 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Public Health 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Postgraduate programmes in Science 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Master of Audiology 7.5 7.0 106 24 191 185 N/A 73 65 92 N/A N/A

Masters of Business Administration 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Master of Global Studies 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Master of Health Practice 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

Master of Health Sciences (Nutrition and Dietetics) 7.5 7.0 106 24 191 185 N/A 73 65 92 N/A N/A

Master of Social Work (Professional)* 6.5 6.5 90 21

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024, for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

10
Master of Speech Language Therapy Practice 7.5 7.0 106 24 191 185 N/A 73 65 92 N/A N/A

Postgraduate programmes in Translation Studies 7.0 6.5 98 24 185 176 A- 65 58 90 N/A N/A

Doctoral programmes** 6.5 6.0 90 21 176 169 B- 58 50 85 70% 65%

* Due to professional registration requirements, only IELTS and TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) can be accepted for this programme. Please note that if the English
requirement is met via TOEFL iBT, you will also need to meet the University of Auckland English Language requirement with an overall score of 90 and no bands below 21.

** At the request of the Board of Graduate Studies, doctoral applicants may be required to supply further evidence of their English language proficiency.

Approved by Education Committee in June 2024 and effective for applications received on or after 1 August 2024, for commencement in Semester 1 2025 and onwards.

11