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Minimum IELTS score to study in New Zealand universities in 2024

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    With postcard-worthy landscapes, picturesque towns, and a wide range of world-class education institutions, New Zealand has become a top choice of study destination for students from all over the world.

    If you’re planning to further your studies in this beautiful country, it is important to note that New Zealand universities require you to prove your proficiency in the English language.

    Hence, you’ll have to sit for an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test and be assessed on how fluent you are across different categories such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

    Once you attain the minimum band IELTS score required, you can then enrol in the university and course of your choice in New Zealand.

    Minimum scores for New Zealand universities

    With 6 prestigious universities in the country that fall within the top 500 institutions in the world, there’s no doubt New Zealand is a great choice for your study destination.

    As an international student looking to study in New Zealand, you’ll have to score an overall band score of at least 5.5 to successfully make it to a university there.

    For more specific details, read on to learn more about the minimum IELTS requirements according to the top-ranked universities in New Zealand.

    Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2024

    One of the world’s most established metrics, the Times Higher Education world rankings assess universities based on the following five key performance indicators: teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income.

    Rank

    University

    Global rank

    IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes)

    IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes)

    1

    University of Auckland

    150

    6.0

    6.5

    2

    University of Otago

    301 – 350

    6.0

    6.5

    3

    Auckland University of Technology

    401 – 500

    6.0

    6.5

    4

    Lincoln University

    401 – 500

    6.0

    6.5

    5

    Victoria University of Wellington

    401 – 500

    6.5

    6.5

    6

    University of Waikato

    401 – 500

    5.5

    6.5

    7

    University of Canterbury

    501 – 600

    6.5

    6.5

    8

    Massey University

    501 – 600

    6.5

    6.5

    QS World University Rankings in 2024

    The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is also another global premier ranking system that rates universities by institution and subject through academic, student, employer, and international indicators.

    Rank

    University

    Global rank

    IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes)

    IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes)

    1

    University of Auckland

    68

    6.0

    6.5

    2

    University of Otago

    206

    6.0

    6.5

    3

    Massey University

    239

    6.0

    6.5

    4

    Victoria University of Wellington

    241

    6.5

    6.5

    5

    University of Waikato

    250

    5.5

    6.5

    6

    University of Canterbury

    256

    6.5

    6.5

    7

    Lincoln University

    362

    6.0

    6.5

    8

    Auckland University of Technology

    407

    6.0

    6.5

    Your New Zealand study adventure awaits

    Got your eye on beautiful New Zealand for the next chapter of your studies?

    We’ll help you successfully make it there!

    At IDP, we do our best to ensure you have a seamless IELTS test process – from offering support and resources for test preparation to having 13 convenient test locations for you to choose from, here’s why you should take your IELTS test with us!

    Get started by booking your IELTS test today! Alternatively, consult with us for free today.

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