IELTS score for New Zealand | Details you must know!

IELTS score for New Zealand | An overview

New Zealand accepts IELTS as proof of your English language proficiency for your visa application. You can feel secure knowing you are taking IELTS because institutions and organizations throughout New Zealand recognize it.

All New Zealand universities and experienced groups that have set minimum language standards accept the IELTS score for New Zealand. A New Zealand study visa requires students to have at least 5.5 in each of the four IELTS bands, with an aggregate minimum score of 6.0 or higher for undergraduate programs.

Graduate courses, on the other hand, demand at least a 6.0 in each band and an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above. However, if you decide to pursue a degree in engineering, teaching, or education studies, keep in mind that the minimum overall and per-band score is 7.0.

IELTS score for New Zealand | Why go to New Zealand for education? 

New Zealand is home to some of the best universities in the world, famed for their intellectual excellence. We’ll discuss some of the factors you should think about when choosing your study abroad location in this section- 

1. World-renowned universities 

The University of Otago, the University of Auckland, and the Victoria University of Wellington are a few of New Zealand’s internationally known universities. According to the QS World Rankings 2022, these institutions are among the top 300 universities worldwide. The curriculum is well-balanced, giving both academic and practical knowledge equal weight. 

2. Course diversity 

New Zealand’s universities offer various courses and the highest academic standards regarding education quality and teaching techniques. Regardless of the course you choose, a hands-on approach is used, and the courses are tailored to the needs and standards of the industry. 

3. Affordable educational prices 

New Zealand’s education costs are considerably lower than those of other countries, such as the UK, the USA, etc., which makes life as a student stress-free. The additional expenses related to lodging, food, and travel are also standard. 

4. Stay-back time after course completion 

New Zealand allows you to stay back for up to three years once your studies are over. During this time, you can explore employment opportunities in New Zealand. The type of the course and its length would be the deciding criteria for how long you would stay. 

5. A pool of work opportunities 

With various employment options in New Zealand, 97% of graduates find a job within six months of graduation, which is a very high success rate for employment.

IELTS score for New Zealand | What is the minimum score?

Candidates must be aware of the basic band requirement for New Zealand to get the required IELTS score for the New Zealand Student Visa. The various study levels and IELTS band scores for New Zealand are listed in the table below. 

Candidates must make sure they obtain an IELTS score that meets the minimal requirements for a student visa to New Zealand. IELTS scores are valid in New Zealand for two years. According to the course of study, the following table lists the IELTS requirements for New Zealand student visas.

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 a 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 IELTS scores for universities in New Zealand 

The universities in New Zealand are listed in the table below. It covers the New Zealand Band Requirement for post-secondary education and the New Zealand IELTS Band Requirement. Candidates who choose to pursue a diploma after the age of 12 must additionally make sure they have the required IELTS Band Score of 5.5 to enroll in classes in the nation. 

Candidates must meet the basic requirements to study in New Zealand. To demonstrate their English proficiency, candidates may also choose to submit a PTE score for a New Zealand student visa. Candidates can use the table below to learn the minimum band criteria for New Zealand per band and the New Zealand Band standards for student visas. 

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

What is the IELTS score required for a student visa in New Zealand? 

Additionally, there are necessary New Zealand student visa band requirements. Check the minimum IELTS score to determine if you qualify for a New Zealand study visa. You must receive an IELTS band score for a student visa 5.5 in each area to be eligible to apply for a student visa to New Zealand. 

Key takeaways 

• Candidates who want to study in New Zealand must meet the IELTS score and study visa band requirements for that country. 
• Admission to courses in New Zealand requires a minimum overall score of 6.5.
• When applying for undergraduate programs, you must meet the IELTS score criteria for New Zealand by receiving at least a 6.0 band (overall) on the exam. 

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Like this blog? Then read: Top universities without IELTS | Canada, UK, US, and more!

FAQs 

Q1. Does a New Zealand student visa require IELTS? 

Answer – The test for English language proficiency for students who attended an English-medium school for years 8 to 12, IELTS, is not required. If a candidate wants to avoid taking the IELTS exam, their school has to use English as the primary teaching language. Regardless of the educational board, this is true. 

Q2. What IELTS score is needed to become a nurse in New Zealand? 

Answer – A minimum score of 7 is required on the IELTS Academic in each section for nurses working in New Zealand. 

Q3. How many IELTS bands are needed for New Zealand PR? 

Answer – You must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher to be a permanent resident of New Zealand.