AUT classes are taught in English. If English, Māori or NZ Sign Language is not your first language, you need to prove you have the minimum level of English for your AUT qualification.
We need to assess your level of English to ensure you can succeed in your programme. AUT does not accept responsibility if you fail courses because of a lack of competence in English.
International students at NZ secondary schools
If you are gaining University Entrance (UE) through NCEA, IB or CIE, you must meet the UE literacy requirements. You can’t replace the literacy requirements with an English language test result.
Some AUT programmes have language requirements higher than UE literacy. For details refer to the AUT Calendar.
University Entrance (UE) for bachelor’s degrees
AUT Calendar
Students with qualifications from outside of New Zealand
Applying on the basis of a qualification from another country? Use your official results for one of the following tests or qualifications to meet the English language requirements. Results can be up to two years old.
IELTS (Academic)
IELTS is the required English test for most health science degrees and teacher education qualifications, and the preferred English test for all other AUT qualifications.
If you gain UE through a NZ secondary school qualification, you can’t replace the UE literacy requirements with IELTS.
Some programmes have higher requirements for IELTS entry than the ones listed below. Refer to the AUT Calendar.
Doctoral degrees
6.5 overall with 7* in Writing and all other bands 6.0 or higher
*Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences only require a 6.5 Writing Band
Postgraduate programmes – master’s degrees, postgraduate diplomas, postgraduate certificates and bachelor’s degrees with honours
6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher
Graduate diplomas, graduate certificates and conjoint programmes
6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher
Bachelor’s degree
6.0 overall with all bands 5.5 or higher
Diplomas
Depending on particular diploma, either 6.0 overall with all bands 5.5. or higher, or 5.5 overall with all bands 5.0 or higher
Certificates
5.5 overall with all bands 5 or higher
Other recognised English language tests
Use the following table to see what you need to meet the English language requirements through the LanguageCert International ESOL, Trinity ISE, Certificate in English for Academic Study (CertEAS), New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL), GIE, TOEFL iBT®, Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or the Pearson Test of English.
You need IELTS to demonstrate English language proficiency for health science programmes.
Initial teacher education programmes require a higher level of English language requirements than similar level programmes, and these requirements are set by the Teaching Council. There are several ways you can meet these requirements, including several test options available.
GIE results aren’t accepted for entry to doctoral degrees.
LanguageCert International ESOL and Trinity ISE may not be used for qualifications governed by external bodies that mandate specific English language tests (eg Bachelor of Health Science – clinical programmes, Bachelor of Education (Teaching) and doctoral qualifications.
Any qualification requiring more than IELTS 6.5 overall may not accept NZCEL, LanguageCert International ESOL and Trinity ISE.
Your test results shouldn’t be more than two years old. Other recognised tests of English language proficiency may be accepted on a case-by-case basis as agreed by AUT.
Minimum overall score
| Qualification | Minimum overall score | ||||
| IELTS | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| Cert EAS | C- | C/C+ | B/B+ | A | – |
| NZCEL | – | – | NZCEL 4(Academic Endorsement) | NZCEL 5(Academic Endorsement) | – |
| GIE | C | C+ | B | B+ | A |
| TOEFL iBT | 65 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 |
| CAE prior to 2015 | 41 | 47 | 52 | 58 | 67 |
| CAE from 2015 | 154 | 162 | 169 | 176 | 185 |
| Pearson (PTE) | 35 | 42 | 50 | 58 | 65 |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | – | – | C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) PASS with no less than Pass in each skill | C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) HIGH PASS with no less than Pass in each skill ORC2 Mastery IESOL (LRWS) PASS with no less than a Pass in each skill | – |
| Trinity ISE | – | – | ISE II with no less than Distinction in any band | ISE III with no less than Pass in any band | – |
Individual skill/band score
| Qualification | Individual skill/band score | ||||
| IELTS(R/L/S/W) | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| Cert EAS | Depends on the qualification you seek entry to. Please refer to the Academic Calendar. | ||||
| GIE | C | C+ | B | B+ | A |
| TOEFL iBT(R/L/S/W) | 15/15/17/18 | 15/15/18/20 | 19/19/20/22 | 20/20/20/24 | 24/24/23/27 |
| CAE prior to 2015 | – | – | Borderline | Borderline | Good |
| CAE from 2015 | 154 | 162 | 169 | 176 | 185 |
| Pearson (PTE) | 35 | 42 | 50 | 58 | 65 |
*Individual band scores for TOEFL iBT are indicative and variations of up to two points may be accepted, as long as the minimum overall score is achieved.
**GIE results aren’t accepted for entry to doctoral degrees.
Qualifications taught and assessed in English
You can use the official results of an academic qualification completed in a country where the main language of instruction and assessment for that qualification was English:
- Evidence is required that the qualification was taught and assessed in English
- Must be at an appropriate level