IELTS Score for New Zealand: Check Scores for Universities and Visa Process

Shubhankar Das

Apr 8, 2024

IELTS Score for New Zealand varies and depends on your application purpose. All New Zealand universities accept Academic IELTS, and some schools, workplaces, and immigration authorities require the General Training Score. The undergraduate programs typically require a minimum overall score of 6.0, while postgraduate programs in New Zealand band requirement is 6.5 band. New Zealand IELTS score for job applicants depends on the category you are applying into. 

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If you are applying for the Skilled Migrant Category, you must achieve an overall 6.5 IELTS band score. For the Employee of a Relocating Business Category, a minimum of 5.0 IELTS band required for New Zealand, and if you are applying in Residence from Work Category you need to achieve a minimum of 5.0 band score. Plan your test well in advance, considering processing times for both the test and visa application. Consider taking IELTS before 2 to 3 months of admission deadlines.


Universities in New Zealand have their own IELTS requirements. Check the specific entry requirements for your chosen program from the university's official website. Some universities may accept a 5.5 overall IELTS score for New Zealand, with no band lower than 5.5 for specific programs. You must check the university's IELTS score requirements from their official website before applying. IELTS score for New Zealand is valid for 2 years after your test date. You must send your scores to the universities within this valid time frame.

Minimum IELTS Score for New Zealand 

To achieve IELTS Score for New Zealand Student Visa, it is necessary for candidates to be aware of the minimum band requirement for New Zealand. The following table includes the different levels of study programs and IELTS band score for New Zealand. Candidates need to ensure that they are able to fulfil the minimum requirements of IELTS score for new zealand student visa. IELTS score validity for New Zealand is for two years. The following table includes the New Zealand student visa IELTS requirement based on the program of study. 

Program of Study New Zealand IELTS Band Requirement Minimum Academic Requirements
Diploma L5 & L6 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 Pass 12th Grade with 50-60%
Bachelor L7 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 Pass 12th Grade with 60%
Graduate Diploma L7 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 Bachelor with 55-60%
Post-graduate Diploma L8 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 Bachelor with minimum of 60%
Master Programme L9 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 Bachelor with 60% with two years of work experience

Top Universities IELTS Band for New Zealand 

The following table provides a list of the universities in New Zealand. This includes the New Zealand Band Requirement after 12 and New Zealand IELTS band requirement for Post Graduation. Candidates opting for diploma after 12 also need to ensure that they achieve the minimum IELTS score of 5.5 for studying in the country. Candidates willing to study in New Zealand need to meet the minimum criteria. However, candidates can also opt for a PTE score for New Zealand Student visa for proving their English proficiency. Candidates can follow the below table to understand the New Zealand Band requirements for student visa along with the minimum band requirement for New Zealand per band.

University & College IELTS Requirements for Undergraduate Programs IELTS Requirements for Postgraduate programs
University of Auckland minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
University of Otago minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
Victoria University of Wellington minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
Massey University minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
Lincoln University minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
University of Canterbury minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
AUT University minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)
University of Waikato minimum overall score 6.0
(minimum of 5.5 per band)
minimum overall score 6.5
(minimum of 6 per band)

New Zealand IELTS Score for Job 

IELTS requirement for New Zealand for candidates who are willing to appear for IELTS exam for professional work need to achieve a definite IELTS result. Candidates need to achieve more than 5 band for in IELTS for New Zealand. IELTS Band for New Zealand for different categories of workers along with IELTS requirement for New Zealand Permanent Residency can be explained as follows:

Skilled Migrants

For the skilled migrants, candidates appearing for IELTS New Zealand would be assessed based on various factors of age, work experience, qualifications. However, candidates need to fulfil the New Zealand IELTS band requirement for PR. Candidates are offered with skilled employment ensuring visa eligibility in New Zealand if they fulfil IELTS Score for New Zealand PR. Accordingly, New Zealand Band Requirement for PR is a minimum overall IELTS band 6.5 in IELTS general or IELTS academic module.

Business Categories 

There are different categories for business workers who want to work in New Zealand. Accordingly, the New Zealand IELTS band requirement varies based on the categories of business as follows:

  • An employee of a relocating business category needs to have a minimum of 5 band for IELTS in New Zealand for IELTS Academic or IELTS general training sections.
  • Entrepreneur Residence or Entrepreneur Work Visa categories require candidates with an overall band score of at least 4 in IELTS General or IELTS Academic module.
  • Investor (Investor 2 Category) would require a candidate with an overall band score of at least 3 in IELTS General or IELTS Academic module.

Residence from Work

After a candidate has worked for two years in New Zealand, he/she is eligible for Residence status in the country. Following are the features for being eligible for residence from work:

  • Have been in New Zealand on a Work to Residence visa for two years.
  • Meet stipulated health and character requirements.
  • Obtain an IELTS certificate with an overall band score of at least 5 in IELTS General or Academic section.

Study in New Zealand Without IELTS 

Candidates willing to study abroad and not appear for IELTS can also apply for admission in the country. Accordingly, candidates can study in New Zealand without IELTS from India by fulfilling certain categories as follows:

  • Candidates can submit HSE or class 8-12 proof of English medium study.
  • Candidates can alternatively submit 5 years of English medium study in primary school and 3 years in senior school.
  • Candidates need to qualify for the interview conducted by New Zealand authorities applying without IELTS scores.
  • Mark sheets need to be produced to prove that candidates schooling medium was English
  • Mark sheet from school confirming that from VIII to XII candidates’ medium of education was English
  • A bona fide certificate that can validate candidates’ duration of study.

Hence, candidates willing to study in New Zealand need to ensure they achieve the New Zealand study visa band requirement and New Zealand IELTS Score for job. Candidates should also be aware that they can get admission in New Zealand Universities without IELTS by fulfilling the mentioned criteria.

FAQs

Ques: Do I need IELTS for New Zealand?

Ans: You might need IELTS for a New Zealand visa depending on the visa type. It's commonly required for Skilled Migrant, Business, Parent, and Residence from work visas.

Ques: What is the minimum IELTS score for New Zealand?

Ans: The minimum required IELTS score for New Zealand varies. You are generally required an overall 6.5 band on the General or Academic test for residency visas.  

Ques: What IELTS score do I need for a New Zealand student visa?

Ans: IELTS score for New Zealand student visa varies and depends on the program level. The undergraduate programs typically require a minimum overall score of 6.0, while postgraduate programs might ask for a 6.5 band.

Ques: Is 5.5 in IELTS enough for New Zealand student visa?

Ans: Some universities may accept a 5.5 overall with no band lower than 5.5 for specific programs. You must check the university's IELTS score requirements from their official website before applying.

Ques: Do I need the same IELTS score for all universities in New Zealand?

Ans: Universities in New Zealand have their own IELTS requirements. Check the specific entry requirements for your chosen program from the university's official website. 

Ques: What IELTS score is required for engineering in New Zealand?

Ans: Some universities require a higher score for engineering programs, such as a minimum of 7.0 overall IELTS band.

Ques: Which IELTS test is required for New Zealand?

Ans: The test type depends on your visa type. Student visas typically require IELTS Academic test, while residency visas might accept the General test.

Ques: What is a good IELTS score for New Zealand?

Ans: An IELTS score of 6.5 or higher is generally considered good for New Zealand visa purposes. However, some universities or specific programs may prefer even higher scores.

Ques: When should I take the IELTS test for a New Zealand visa application?

Ans: Plan your test well in advance, considering processing times for both the test and visa application. Consider taking IELTS before 2 to 3 months of admission deadlines.

Ques: Is there a validity period for the IELTS score for New Zealand?

Ans: IELTS score for New Zealand is valid for 2 years after your test date. You must send your scores to the universities within this valid time frame.

Ques: Are there alternatives to IELTS for New Zealand?

Ans: In some cases, other English proficiency tests like TOEFL or PTE might be accepted. Check the specific immigration or educational institution websites for specific details.

Ques: How can I prepare for the IELTS test for New Zealand?

Ans: Many resources are available online and offline, including official IELTS practice materials, courses, and coaching centers. 

Ques: Can I retake the IELTS test for New Zealand?

Ans: You can retake IELTS test as many times as needed. However, you'll need to pay the test fee again to retake IELTS.

Ques: How long does it take to get IELTS results for New Zealand?

Ans: Your IELTS results are typically available within 3 to 5 days after the test date for the computer-based exam. The results of IELTS on paper are available within 13 days after your exam date.

Ques: Where do I send my IELTS results for a New Zealand visa application?

Ans: You won't directly send your results. When registering for the test, select New Zealand immigration as a recipient, and they'll receive your score electronically.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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