Study in New Zealand Without IELTS: Accepted Alternatives and Universities
An English proficiency test is mandatory for non-native English-speaking students planning to study in New Zealand. It ensures that students have the language skills required to manage their coursework and participate effectively in academic activities involving listening, speaking, reading, and writing. IELTS is one of the most widely accepted English proficiency tests in countries such as Ireland, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand.
However, preparing for and taking IELTS can be challenging, time-consuming, and financially demanding. Many students find it difficult to achieve the required score, while the exam fees, preparation time, and pressure involved can make the overall process mentally exhausting. As a result, not every student feels comfortable or confident taking the test.
But what if we tell you that you can study in New Zealand without IELTS?
In this article, we will walk you through the alternatives to IELTS and explore which universities in New Zealand offer admission without IELTS.
Can You Study in New Zealand Without IELTS?
Yes, you can study in New Zealand without IELTS. There are other alternative exams that you can take in order to secure admission into a university. For instance, you can take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English), Duolingo English Test or Cambridge English Exams.
Accepted Alternatives to IELTS
To study in New Zealand universities without IELTS, you can consider the following alternatives.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
To secure admission in an undergraduate programme, a TOEFL score of nearly 70 is needed, while for a postgraduate programme the requirement is 90. This also varies with the university you apply to. - Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
The minimum score one must have to clear the PTE Academic is 58. And based on the course and the university, this requirement may vary. - Duolingo English Test (DET)
New Zealand accepts a score of 105 to 110 for bachelor’s programmes and 110 to 120 for master’s programme studies, alongside specific sub-score minimums. - Cambridge English Exams
Cambridge English Exams has two levels. The first is CAE (C1 Advanced), also known as Cambridge English Advanced, while the second is CPE (C2 Proficiency), also known as Cambridge English ProficiencyFor undergraduate courses, the requirement is generally an overall score of 169, with no individual score below 162. For postgraduate courses, the requirement is slightly higher, with an overall score of 176 and no individual score below 169.
- Medium of Instruction (MOI)
An MOI is an official letter signed and stamped by your previous school or university stating that your primary language of instruction was English. This acts as valid and verifiable proof that you are well-versed in English in terms of listening, speaking, reading and writing.
New Zealand Universities Without IELTS
There are a few universities in New Zealand that offer admission without IELTS.
- University of AucklandAccepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, LanguageCert, Trinity ISE, MELAB, and its own Foundation Certificate/English Pathway grades.
- Auckland University of Technology (AUT)Accepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, NZCEL, Cambridge C1 Advanced, LanguageCert, Trinity ISE, and Duolingo.
- University of OtagoAccepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, PTE, NZCEL, LanguageCert (two tracks), APIEL, an AEMG pathway exam, and Duolingo.
- University of CanterburyAccepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, NZCEL and Duolingo.
- University of WaikatoAccepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, Cambridge B2 First/C2 Proficiency, NZCEL, Trinity ISE, Michigan English Test, LanguageCert, and Duolingo.
- Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of WellingtonAccepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency, its own EAP programme, NZCEL, an English New Zealand pathway assessment, LanguageCert, Trinity ISE, and Duolingo.
Sources
University of Auckland — Undergraduate English language requirements, official/primary
AUT — English language requirements for bachelor’s degrees, official/primary
University of Otago — English language requirements, official/primary
Victoria University of Wellington — Standard undergraduate English requirements, official/primary
University of Waikato — English Language Requirements for Admission, official/primary
Victoria University of Wellington — Standard undergraduate English requirements, official/primary
New Zealand Universities Accepting Duolingo
Below are popular New Zealand universities accepting Duolingo you should definitely know.
| University | Undergraduate DET Score | Postgraduate DET Score |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | 105 | 120 |
| University of Otago | 105 (no subscore below 95) | 120 (no subscore below 95 |
| Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington | 105 (no band below 95) | 120 (higher-requirement programmes) |
| University of Waikato | 105 | 120 (no bands below 105) |
Sources
Language Requirements | University of Otago
English Language Requirements for Admission :: University of Waikato
New Zealand Student Visa Without IELTS
It is possible to apply for a New Zealand Student Visa without IELTS but only in some circumstances. Further, “no IELTS” does not automatically mean “no English requirement.” This implies that if you have not cleared IELTS, you must have either an MOI letter, PTE, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge English Test or other exams listed by the university you apply to.
Moreover, according to Immigration New Zealand, IELTS is not mandatory for every student visa applicant. It mainly depends on the English-language requirements of your chosen course and education provider.
Application Roadmap
If you are planning to apply to a university in New Zealand, follow the application guide below for a step-by-step overview of the process.
- Choose your course in which you wish to apply and check its specific English requirements. Some courses, such as nursing, teaching, law, and health sciences, may require higher scores or specific tests. Always check the university’s official website.
- Choose your English proof that the university accepts. This could be IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge, Duolingo (if accepted), NZCEL, or other accepted tests. Some universities may also accept an MOI letter or English-medium education.
- Take the English Test in one sitting, as many universities require all skills to come from the same test date.
- Apply for an Offer of Place in case your English result is pending. Some universities may provide a conditional offer.
- Accept the offer and pay the required tuition fees.
- Prepare your visa documents, including your passport, Offer of Place, proof of funds, insurance, and any required medical or police certificates.
- Apply for the Student Visa online through Immigration New Zealand.
- Before travelling, complete the NZ Traveller Declaration and make sure your insurance is active.
Costs, Time and Trade-Offs
Duolingo can be taken online from home, with results usually available within about 48 hours. It is often cheaper and more convenient than traditional English tests, making it a good option for students with limited time or no nearby test centre. On the other hand, IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and Cambridge exams are generally taken at authorised test centres and may require advance booking. They usually cost more than Duolingo, but they are more widely accepted by New Zealand universities and education providers.
But this does not mean that if you take a Duolingo test you will save cost and time. No matter which test route you prefer, you still have to bear other costs, including application, tuition, insurance and living expenses.
Common Mistakes That Delay Admission
Below are some of the common mistakes students make which delays their admission process.
- Confusing visa and university requirements: Immigration New Zealand does not generally require a specific English test for a student visa, but your university may require one for your Offer of Place.
- Using an expired test result: Many universities require your English test to have been taken within two years before your course begins. Always check the specific validity period.
- Combining scores from different test dates: Most universities require all four skills to come from the same test sitting. IELTS One Skill Retake is a specific exception and may not be accepted everywhere.
- Ignoring individual score requirements: Meeting the overall score is not enough if your result falls below the minimum required in one skill or subscore.
- Submitting unverified results: Universities usually require results to be sent or verified directly through the official test provider. A scanned certificate may not be sufficient.
- Checking only the university’s general requirements: Always check your specific programme. Courses such as nursing, teaching, law, and some health sciences may have stricter English requirements.
- Overlooking the 2026 TOEFL changes: TOEFL iBT introduced a new format and scoring system on 21 January 2026. If you are applying to a non-university provider, check NZQA’s current requirements before relying on your TOEFL result.
Conclusion
You can definitely study in New Zealand without appearing for IELTS. However, “without IELTS” doesn’t mean you can secure admission in universities directly by applying. You must choose an alternative approved route to prove your English proficiency. Some of the alternatives you can consider are the Duolingo Test, TOEFL, PTE or MOI.
FAQs
Yes, you can apply to New Zealand with an IELTS score of 5.5. Some diploma and pathway courses may accept an overall IELTS score of 5.5. However, for bachelor’s and master’s degrees, the English-language requirement is generally higher, usually around 6.0 for undergraduate study and 6.5 for postgraduate study. Therefore, you should always check the specific IELTS requirement for your chosen course and university before applying.
An IELTS band score of 7.5 is roughly equivalent to a score of 140 to 145 on the Duolingo English Test (DET).
The Duolingo English Test is generally considered easier and less stressful than IELTS. Duolingo is a computer-based test that you can take from home and includes quick, adaptive questions. In comparison, IELTS usually requires you to take the test at a designated test centre, takes longer, and includes longer sections and a face-to-face speaking test.
New Zealand is considered the best country to study abroad without IELTS.