Undergraduate English language requirements

If you're an international applicant and your first language is not English, you will need to provide proof of your English proficiency.

If you're a domestic applicant, you will generally meet your English language requirements from your academic background. 

For more information, please see Domestic applicants and English language requirements.

English is considered the first language of citizens of: 

• Canada
• Ireland
• Singapore
• The United Kingdom
• The United States of America

You are usually exempt from providing proof of English language proficiency, unless asked to by the University of Auckland.

If you have met the University's academic entry requirements and are waiting on your English language requirement, you may be issued with a conditional offer, subject to meeting the English language requirement. 

Please note, there may be other conditions attached to your conditional offer. 

If you have received a conditional offer and are waiting to meet the English language requirements, you may wish to consider applying for entry to a pathway English language course at the University's English Language Academy.

You must meet the University Entrance literacy requirement for admission, if you are entering the University from: 

• National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
• Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge International) taken in New Zealand*
• International Baccalaureate (IB) taken in New Zealand

*Formerly known as University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). 

For more information, please see New Zealand secondary school applicants.

If you're a domestic applicant, please see Domestic applicants and English language requirements.

If you're an international applicant and you have completed a qualification other than NCEA, Cambridge International or IB taken in New Zealand, you must meet the English language proficiency requirement through completing an approved English language test or an approved alternative.

Important things to know: 

• You must meet your English language requirements in one sitting of your chosen English language proficiency test or approved alternative
• Your results are valid for two years from the date on the test certificate to the start of your studies at the University of Auckland
• You can apply for your chosen programme(s) if you have not done your English language proficiency test. You will still have to provide your English language proficiency as this is a condition of your application to meet the entry requirements

You can meet undergraduate English-language requirements by successfully completing either:

• The Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP)
• The English Pathway for Undergraduate Studies (EPUS)

These ELA grades are considered to be equivalent to the IELTS bands for admissions purposes:

• IELTS 7.0: A- in FCertEAP or EPUS
• IELTS 6.5: B- in FCertEAP or EPUS
• IELTS 6.0: C- in FCertEAP or EPUS

Please note that enrolment in the ELA programmes are at your own expense.

Every programme page on our website specifies an IELTS (Academic) score as the minimum English-language requirement for that programme.

IELTS One Skill Retake is now being accepted by the University of Auckland.

This means you can retake one skill below the required band to meet the IELTS requirements. Your One Skill Retake must be completed within 60 days of your original IELTS test and must be completed as a "One Skill Retake".

You will need to meet the advertised IELTS scores in order to meet the English Language Requirements for your programme of study.

For more information, visit IELTS One Skill Retake.

We will be able to view and verify your TOEFL result, if you provide your: 

• TOEFL registration number
• Date of birth

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Auckland is 9481.

The table lists what the University accepts as the equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.0 with no bands below 5.5.

Please note that some Education and Social Work programmes require additional evidence of English competency due to professional registration requirements. Some programmes only accept an IELTS test due to professional registration requirements. 

*You must authorise the University to view and verify your PTE scores. See Sending verified Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic results.

We may be able to consider your study when assessing your English language proficiency, if you are applying for an undergraduate programme and have: 

• Done your secondary schooling in English
• Completed qualifications such as GCE A levels or IB

Please note that this is assessed on a case-by-case basis. You may be asked to provide further proof of English language proficiency.

If you have successfully completed study in the English medium, you may not have to take a language test. Please see Section 3.4 in the document below. This document also includes all approved alternatives to our IELTS requirements.

Please note, prior study in the English medium is valid for 2 years after it's completion date.

You must meet the AELR if you are admitted to a University of Auckland bachelor’s degree programme and you are:

• a domestic student
• an international student applying based on a New Zealand secondary school qualification
• an international student applying based on results at another New Zealand tertiary institution

The AELR may be met through your entry qualification or through satisfactory completion of an approved course in your first 12 months of study.

Phone: 09 923 5025 (within Auckland)
Phone:  0800 61 62 63 (outside Auckland)
Phone: +64 9 373 7513 (from overseas)
Email: admission@auckland.ac.nz