English language requirements
To study at the University of Canterbury you must be proficient in English. There are different ways to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. Please note that we do not accept any evidence of English language proficiency that is more than two years old. If you are not certain of the evidence you need to provide, please contact us.
International Students at high schools in New Zealand
Students who gain University Entrance through NCEA provide evidence of their English language background by meeting NCEA literacy requirements - see University Entrance through NCEA for details. You cannot replace NCEA literacy credits with an English language test result. If you wish to apply for a Teacher Education programme, in addition to your level 2 literacy credits you need an IELTS (Academic) score of 7 with no section score below 7. Students who have studied in New Zealand for a minimum of two years at secondary school, and who have eight level 2 NCEA University Entrance literacy credits (4 credits in reading and 4 credits in writing) are exempted from the IELTS requirement.
Applying for admission with non-New Zealand Qualifications
If you are applying for admission to the University of Canterbury on the basis of a non-New Zealand qualification, ways to provide evidence of your English language background include:
- a completed academic qualification in a country where English is the predominant language spoken;
- completion of the Certificate in English for Tertiary Studies (undergraduate or postgraduate stream, as appropriate) offered by the University of Canterbury.
- a satisfactory result in an approved English language test, such as:
Minimum scores for each test required for admission are stated below. Please note that certain departments and programmes may require higher test scores than the minimum scores specified below. Please arrange for the testing centre to send your test result directly to: International Office, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND.
IELTS
The minimum performance levels for admission are:
- Undergraduate: 6.0 (no section score lower than 6.0)
- Postgraduate: 7.0 (no section score lower than 6.5)
- Teacher education: 7.0 (no section score lower than 7.0).
IELTS is administered through British Council Offices and British Embassies worldwide - please see the IELTS website for further information and registration details. Applicants must take the “Academic Module” test.
TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT)
The minimum performance levels for admission are:
- Undergraduate: 550 and TWE 4.5
- Postgraduate: 600 and TWE 5
If you only have access to the paper-based test, or the supplemental paper based test, you must ensure that the Test of Written English (TWE) is also being offered at the same time as the TOEFL test. Please see the TOEFL website for further information and registration details. Our Institution Code is 9482.
TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT)
The minimum performance levels for admission are:
- Undergraduate: 80, with Listening no less than 19, Reading no less than 19 and Writing no less than 19 (no minimum score has been set for Speaking as yet).
- Postgraduate: 100, with Listening no less than 23, Reading no less than 23 and Writing no less than 22 (no minimum score has been set for Speaking as yet).
Please see the TOEFL
website for further information and registration details. Please specify the University of Canterbury as the institution
to which the score reports will be sent: our Institution Code is 9482 (where possible,
do not specify a department code).
The Cambridge English Test
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
||
| CPE | Certificate of Proficiency in English | C |
B |
| CAE | Certificate in Advanced English | A |
Not acceptable |
Advanced Placement International English Language Test (APIEL)
| Undergraduate | 3 or higher |
| Postgraduate | 4 or higher |