If English is not your first language, you will need todemonstrate that your English is good enough to study successfully at university.
All tuition at Lincoln University is in English, although some programmes may, in part, be taught in Te Reo Māori.
It is expected that all students will be able to:
- Write clear and grammatically correct English in essays, assignments, reports and exams
- Read English with understanding, find relevant information without assistance, and comprehend and analyse a line of argument
- Listen actively and discern key points in English and follow complex, technical discussion in lectures and small groups
- Speak freely and clearly in English and actively engâge in large and small group discussions.
You can satisfy the English language requirement for entry to Lincoln programmes by studying English Language at Lincoln!
Lincoln University recognises achievement through a limited number of recognised tests of English Language. The table below lists the minimum standards for entry to Lincoln programmes.
| Lincoln qualification | Lincoln University English Language | IELTS (Academic) | TOEFL iBT^ | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and First (FCE) | Pearson Test of English (Academic) | NZ Certificates in English Language (NZCEL) |
| PhD Master’s Degrees Postgraduate Diplomas Postgraduate Certificates Graduate Diplomas (in all disciplines except for Commerce) Graduate Certificates (in all disciplines except for Commerce) | GCAE or LU EL 70% | 6.5 overall, with no individual component less than 6.0 | Overall score of 80 (with at least 21 in Writing and 18 in Speaking) | Overall score of 176, with no individual component less than 169 | 58 overall score – with no communicative skill less than 50 | Level 5 (Academic or Professional Endorsement) |
| Graduate Diploma in Commerce Graduate Certificate in Commerce Bachelor Degrees Undergraduate Diplomas | LU EL 65% | 6.0 overall, with no individual component less than 5.5 | Overall score of 60 (with at least 18 in Writing) | Overall score of 169, with no individual component less than 162 | 50 overall score – with no communicative skill less than 42 | Level 4 (Academic Endorsement) |
| Diploma in University Studies – two semester pathway | LU EL 60% with no individual component less than 60% | 5.5 overall, with no individual component less than 5.5 | Overall score of 53 (with at least 18 in Writing) | Overall score of 169, with no individual component less than 162 | 42 overall score – with no communicative skill less than 42 | Level 4 (General, Workplace or Academic Endorsement) |
| Diploma in University Studies – three semester pathway | LU EL 60% | 5.5 overall, with at least 5.5 for Reading and Writing, and no other component less than 5.0 | Overall score of 46 (with at least 18 in Writing) | Overall score of 162, with at least 162 in Reading and Writing and 154 in Speaking and Listening | 42 overall score, with at least 42 in Reading and Writing and at least 36 in other communicative skills | Level 4 (General, Workplace or Academic Endorsement) |
| Certificate in University Studies | LU EL 55% | 5.0 overall, with no individual component less than 5.0 | Overall score of 35 (with at least 14 in Writing) | Overall score of 154, with no individual component less than 154 | 36 overall score with no communicative score of less than 36 | Level 3 (General, Workplace or Academic Endorsement) |
| Graduate Certificate in Academic English (GCAE) | LU EL 65% | 6.0 overall, with no individual component less than 5.5 | Overall score of 60 (with at least 18 in Writing) | Overall score of 169, with no individual component less than 162 | 50 overall score – with no communicative skill less than 42 | Level 4 (Academic Endorsement) |