| Internationally recognised proficiency tests
Programme Level and required outcome |
IELTS test [2] |
TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) where the test was carried out prior to 1 October 2017 |
TOEFL Internet-based test
(iBT) |
Cambridge English Examinations |
NZCEL |
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
City & Guilds IESOL |
| Certificate at
Level 3 |
General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Score of 500 (with an essay score of 4 TWE) |
Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) |
B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill; |
Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace, or Academic |
PToE (Academic) score of 36 |
B1 Achiever with a score of 43 |
| Certificate at
Level 4 |
General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Score of 530 (with an essay score of 4.5 TWE) |
Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill; |
Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace, or Academic |
PToE (Academic) score of 42 |
B2 Communicator with a score of 42 |
| Certificate or Diploma at
Level 5 |
Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) |
Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill; |
Level 4 with the Academic endorsement |
PToE (Academic) score of 42 |
B2 Communicator with a score of 42 |
| Certificate or Diploma at Level 6
Degree or Degree at Level 7
Graduate Certificate or Diploma at Level 7 |
Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 |
Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE) |
Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) |
B2 First, or B2 First for schools, or C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill; |
Level 4 with the Academic endorsement |
PToE (Academic) score of 50 |
B2 Communicator with a score of 66 |
| Post-graduate Diploma or Post-graduate Certificate at Level 8
Bachelor Honours Degree at Level 8
Master’s Degree at Level 9
Doctoral Degree at Level 10 |
Academic score of 6.5
with no band score lower than 6 |
Score of 590 (with an essay score 5.5 TWE) |
Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21) |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill; |
Level 5 with the Academic endorsement |
PToE (Academic) score of 58 |
C1 Expert with a score of 42 |
