If you are seeking admission to the University you must be competent in the use and understanding of written and spoken English. The minimum requirements are described below.
English language requirements are fulfilled if you meet admission criteria in the following categories:
If you do not meet the criteria for any of these methods of admission, and your first language is not English or Māori, you must normally provide certified results in order to satisfy language requirements for admission to the University of Otago.
Notes: The University does not accept responsibility for academic failure which can be attributed to a student's lack of competence in English.
Admission to some courses may require higher levels of attainment.
Other evidence of English language proficiency may be considered to satisfy the admission requirements and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
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| Assessment Method |
Undergraduate Requirements |
Minimum language requirements for undergraduate students
| NCEA National Certificate in Educational Achievement |
10 Level 2 credits in approved literacy (5 in reading, 5 in writing) |
| CIE Cambridge International Examinations |
Grade E or better in AS English |
| IB International Baccalaureate |
English at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, or Language A: language and literature; or at Higher level in Language B |
| NZUEBS New Zealand University Entrance Bursaries and Scholarships |
English mark of 46% or higher |
| IELTS International English Language Testing System |
6.0 in academic module (with no individual band below 6.0) |
| TOEFL (paper based) Test of English as a Foreign Language |
550
Test of Written English 4.5 |
| TOEFL (internet based) Test of English as a Foreign Language |
80 (with a Writing score of 20) |
| CPE Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English |
Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169) |
| CAE Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English |
Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169) |
| APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination |
Grade 3 or higher |
| University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd |
Successful completion of ‘English for Undergraduate Academic Purposes’ paper |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic |
Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50 |
| University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA) pathway programmes |
Successful completion of the English Pathway for Undergraduate Studies (EPUS) with a C Grade |
| University of Auckland Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP) |
Successful completion of the certificate with a C Grade |
International student? See the English language requirements for international undergraduate students page.
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| Assessment Method |
Postgraduate Requirements |
Minimum language requirements for postgraduate students
| NCEA National Certificate in Educational Achievement |
10 Level 2 credits in approved literacy (5 in reading, 5 in writing) |
| CIE Cambridge International Examinations |
Grade E or better in AS English |
| IB International Baccalaureate |
English at Higher or Standard level in Language A: literature, or Language A: language and literature; or at Higher level in Language B |
| NZUEBS New Zealand University Entrance Bursaries and Scholarships |
English mark of 46% or higher |
| IELTS International English Language Testing System |
6.5 in academic module (with no individual band below 6.0) |
| TOEFL (paper based) Test of English as a Foreign Language |
587
Test of Written English 4.5 |
| TOEFL (internet based) Test of English as a Foreign Language |
95 (with a Writing score of 22) |
| CPE Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English |
Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169) |
| CAE Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English |
Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169) |
| APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination |
Grade 4 or higher |
| University of Otago Foundation Studies Ltd |
Successful completion of ‘English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes’ paper |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic |
Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57 |
| University of Auckland English Language Academy (ELA) pathway programmes |
Successful completion of the English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies (EPPS) with a B Grade |
| University of Auckland Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP) |
Successful completion of the certificate with a B Grade |
International student? See the English language requirements for international postgraduate students page.
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