To be admitted to the Foundation Studies Certificate programme, you need to meet:
- Academic requirements
- English language requirements
Academic requirements for Foundation Studies Certificate
Academic entry requirements for a number of countries are listed here:
International entry requirements Diploma and Foundation Studies Certificate (PDF)
For enquiries about other countries' requirements, please contact us.
Email pathways.admissions@otago.ac.nz
English Language requirements for Foundation Studies Certificate
The table below shows the minimum English Language results you need to be eligible to apply for a place in the Foundation Studies Certificate programme.
English language requirements for the Diplomas (DipArts, DipCom and DipSc) are the same as for the Foundation Studies Certificate.
| Test | Required result |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5 (without any band below 5.0) |
| IELTS Online | 5.5 (without any band below 5.0) |
| iBT TOEFL | 70 (with a writing score of 15) |
| TOEFL (Paper-Based) | 525 |
| TOEFL (Computer-Based) | 196 |
| Cambridge FCE | Grade B |
| Cambridge CAE | Grade C |
| Cambridge CPE | Grade C |
| GCE O-Level English | C6 |
| GCE A-Level English | D7 |
| HK CEE (English Syllabus B) | 3 |
| HK ALE (Use of English) | D7 |
| LanguageCert | B2 |
| SPM Bahasa Inggeris | B+ |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 |
| English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment | Level 1 |
| NZCEL | NZCEL 3 Academic endorsement |
| Duolingo | 95 (with no subscore less than 80) |
Additional English tuition
If you need additional English tuition before starting the Foundation Studies Certificate programme, or wish to sit an IELTS test in Dunedin, the University of Otago English Language Centre is situated in the same building as the pathway programmes, and offers English courses and IELTS testing.
University of Otago English Language Centre
Other important information for your application
Our Admissions team will assess your application based on several factors.
First of all, the application form must be completed correctly.
Achieving the required level
Depending on the stream you intend to study, we will check the academic transcripts you have sent us to determine if you have achieved the required level to participate in the programme.
For example, if you intend to study a science stream, your high school maths grades must be high enough to fit in with the programme.
Bridging and General English programmes
If you are very close to making the grade, but not quite there, we will offer you a conditional offer which would require you to go through our Bridging programme.
If your English isn't quite good enough then you can join our General English programme and follow that route to the Foundation Studies Certificate programme.
We run International English examinations too – you can take the IELTS test right here to meet the English entry requirement.
Cover letter written by you
Along with your application we also suggest sending us a cover letter, written by yourself, outlining why you want to study with us and how you can apply yourself to the academic challenges ahead.
Letter of recommendation
A letter of recommendation from a previous teacher or employer would improve your case too.