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IELTS Band Required for New Zealand: The minimum IELTS band score required for universities in New Zealand ranges between 5.0 and 6.5. However, aiming for a significantly higher score is strongly recommended, especially if you’re targeting top-ranked institutions. The IELTS Academic Test is a great way to showcase your proficiency in the English language.
New Zealand, a world-renowned destination for international students, boasts of housing a myriad of academic institutions that accept IELTS scores as part of their application process, giving you a wider range of program options. To learn more about the IELTS band required for New Zealand, refer to the full article for detailed information.
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IELTS Score Requirement for Top Universities in New Zealand
Many prestigious universities in New Zealand accept IELTS test results as part of their application process. This table outlines the IELTS requirements for some of the most well-known universities in New Zealand.
| Name of the University | Minimum IELTS For UG Courses | Minimum IELTS For PG Courses |
| University of Auckland | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| University of Otago | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Victoria University of Wellington | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| University of Canterbury | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Massey University | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| University of Waikato | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Lincoln University | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Wellington Institute of Technology | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Ara Institute of Canterbury | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| AUT University | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Eastern Institute of Technology | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Manukau Institute of Technology | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Waikato Institute of Technology | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
| Southern Institute of Technology | 5.5-6.0 (per section) | 6.0-6.5 (per section) |
It’s crucial to note that these are the minimum score requirements. Specific universities and programs may hold higher IELTS score expectations. Therefore, carefully verify the official website of your desired university and program to confirm their exact requirements.
IELTS Band Required for New Zealand: Fees and Top Courses in 2025
The average cost of studying in New Zealand for international students ranges from NZD 22,000-NZD 37,000 annually. That being said, you can refer to the following table to go through the list of universities in New Zealand offering admission based on IELTS scores and their annual fees.
| Name of University | Annual Fees for International Students | Top Courses |
| University of Auckland | NZD 36,000- NZD 83,000 | Engineering, Arts |
| University of Otago | NZD 18,000- NZD 1,12,000 | Science, MBA |
| Victoria University of Wellington | NZD 31,000- NZD 45,000 | Geography, History |
| University of Canterbury | NZD 28,000- NZD 44,000 | M.A, MBA |
| Massey University | NZD 27,000- NZD 66,000 | Agriculture, Communication |
| University of Waikato | NZD 28,000- NZD 48,000 | Engineering, English Literature |
| Lincoln University | NZD 18,000- NZD 35,000 | Marketing, Psychology |
| Wellington Institute of Technology | NZD 17,000- NZD 23,000 | Engineering, Information Technology |
| Ara Institute of Canterbury | NZD 35,000- NZD 45,000 | Accounting, Information Design |
| AUT University | NZD 36,000- NZD 83,000 | Architecture, Business |
| Eastern Institute of Technology | NZD 18,000- NZD 27,000 | Business, Medicine |
| Manukau Institute of Technology | NZD 33,000- NZD 40,000 | Engineering, Law |
| Waikato Institute of Technology | NZD 25,000- NZD 45,000 | MBA, Nursing |
Minimum IELTS Band Score Required to Pursue Courses in New Zealand
The minimum IELTS Band score required to pursue higher education in New Zealand is 5.5-6.0. Individuals who wish to pursue UG courses in New Zealand must strive for a score ranging from 5.8 to 6.0 and those who wish to study PG courses from the top universities in New Zealand must aim for an IELTS score of 6.0 to 6.5. Apart from that, some other eligibility criteria must be met by students to pursue their education in New Zealand. Have a look.
Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for New Zealand Student Visa
The minimum IELTS Band score requirement for a student visa in New Zealand is 5.0-5.5. That being said, any score below that of 5 is not considered eligible for a New Zealand Student Visa. This score band is applicable for all the courses except 2nd level and English preparatory courses. It is important to note that your issued English language certificate should be no more than 2 years from your expected course start date.
So, that was all about the IELTS band required for New Zealand. Hope the blog has answered your queries regarding the topic.
FAQS
Ans: The minimum IELTS Band score required to pursue higher education in New Zealand is 5.0-6.5.
Ans: The minimum IELTS score requirement for PG courses in New Zealand is 6.0 – 6.5.
Ans: The University of Auckland, University of Otago, Victoria University of Wellington, and Lincoln University are some of the best IELTS-accepting universities in New Zealand.
To study in New Zealand, international students typically need an overall IELTS band score of at least 5.5 for university admission.
Countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK, and Ireland accept a 5.5 IELTS band for some diploma and undergraduate programs.
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