With postcard-worthy landscapes, picturesque towns and a 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.

You’ll have to opt for a recognised English language test like the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and be assessed on your proficiency across different categories such as speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Once you attain the minimum IELTS band score required, you can use it to enrol in the university and course of your choice in New Zealand. It’ll also come in handy if you’re looking to work in New Zealand.

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Minimum scores for New Zealand universities

With six 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 IELTS overall band score of at least 6.0 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.

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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 quality, research environment, 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

6.0

6.5

6

University of Waikato

401 – 500

6.0

6.5

7

University of Canterbury

501 – 600

6.0

6.5

8

Massey University

501 – 600

6.0

6.5

QS World University Rankings in 2024

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is also another global premier ranking system which rates universities by institution and subject through academic reputation, citation, faculty to student ratio, employer, international and sustainability 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

6.0

6.5

5

University of Waikato

250

6.0

6.5

6

University of Canterbury

256

6.0

6.5

7

Lincoln University

362

6.0

6.5

8

Auckland University of Technology

407

6.0

6.5

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Your New Zealand study adventure awaits

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

We’ve got all the tools you need to make it there and succeed!

As a joint owner of the IELTS test, IDP has decades of experience in helping students to prepare for and take the test, and we can help you too.

You’ll gain all the benefits at your fingertips, from a wealth of official IELTS preparation resources to convenient test locations, when you download the IELTS by IDP app.

Need help preparing for your IELTS test? Access our wide range of preparation materials.

Get started by booking your IELTS test today!

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