English language requirements

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.

For initial teacher education programmes (Bachelor of Education, Master of Teaching and Learning, Graduate
Diploma in Secondary Teaching) visit the Teaching Council website for English language requirements.

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.

University Entrance (UE) for bachelor’s degrees

Some AUT programmes have language requirements higher than UE literacy. For details refer to the 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.

Due to professional registration requirements, IELTS is the required English test for most health science degrees. It’s also 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

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted

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

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), AUT Academic English, TOEFL iBT®, Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), the Pearson Test of English or Christchurch College of English Language (CCEL).

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. Teaching Council website

AUT Academic English results aren't accepted for entry to doctoral degrees.*

LanguageCert International ESOL, Trinity ISE and Christchurch College of English Language (CCEL) may not be used for qualifications governed by external bodies that mandate specific English language tests (like the 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.

You can also use IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Special Home Edition to meet English language requirements, except for programmes that require an IELTS score higher than the standard or for any doctoral programmes.

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.

*The AUT Academic English programme is currently being piloted for meeting the English language requirements for doctoral programmes until December 2024. The normal entry criteria will be applied for doctoral applicants and the AUT Academic English results would be deemed equivalent to IELTS (B+ overall, A in writing, and no band lower than a B (Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences only require a 6.5 Writing Band under IELTS; B+ under AUT Academic English)

Minimum overall score

Qualification

Minimum overall score

IELTS

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

English New Zealand Pathway Assessment

- Level 1 Level 2
(with no skill lower than Level 1) 
Level 3
(with no skill lower than Level 2) 
-

Cert EAS

C-

C/C+

B/B+

A

-

NZCEL

-

-

NZCEL 4

(Academic Endorsement)

NZCEL 5

(Academic Endorsement)

-

AUT Academic English

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

Christchurch College of English Language (CCEL)

- -

CCEL EAP, Level 2 with a minimum C+

CCEL EAP, Level 2 with a minimum B+

-

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 OR

C2 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.

AUT Academic English

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

Christchurch College of English Language (CCEL)

--C+B+-

*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.
**AUT Academic English results aren't accepted for entry to doctoral degrees.

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

Contact us

Contact us for specific information for your country or chosen programme.

Need help with your English?

If you don’t currently meet the English language requirements for the AUT programme you’re interested in, you can study an English language course at AUT.

Study English at AUT