About New Zealand

There is no British Council test centre in New Zealand's capital Wellington. Besides the capital, there are two other IELTS test centres across the country.

IELTS data

Several universities in New Zealand require IELTS as proof of English proficiency to enrol in an English-taught programme

• Lowest IELTS score required: 5.0
• Highest IELTS score required: 7.5
• Average IELTS score required: 6.3
• Number of universities accepting IELTS: 25
• Number of studies accepting IELTS: 1345

Background of New Zealand

New Zealand, often considered Australia's younger sibling," is a strong contender for international degrees, despite its humble perception. Beyond its famous Lord of the Rings landscapes, it has produced notable figures like Sir Edmund Hillary and Sir Ernest Rutherford.

The country's education system is highly reliable despite having only eight universities, one consistently ranks in the QS World University Rankings top 100. New Zealand offers students a great nightlife, stunning landscapes, and polite people, all within a safe environment. Minimum grades and English proficiency requirements vary by university and program, but TOEFL, Cambridge English, and IELTS are commonly accepted tests.

English requirements in New Zealand

To study in English at one of the universities in New Zealand you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

4 most popular study destinations for students in New Zealand