The Table for Internationally recognised English Proficiency Outcomes for
International Students – http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/the-table
| Internationally recognised proficiency tests |
Programme Level and required outcome |
| Certificate at Level 3 |
Certificate at Level 4 |
Certificate or Diploma at Level 5 |
Certificate or Diploma at Level 6
Diploma or degree at Level 7
Graduate Certificate or Diploma at Level 7 |
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 |
| IELTS test
(see note 2) |
General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 |
General or Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Academic score of 5.5 with no band score lower than 5 |
Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5 |
Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6 |
| TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT)
(see note 2) |
Score of 35 (with a writing score of 14) |
Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) |
Score of 46 (with a writing score of 14) |
Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18) |
Score of 79 (with a writing score of 21) |
| Cambridge English Qualifications
(see note 2) |
B2 First or B2 First for Schools with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill |
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 |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176. No less than 169 in each skill |
| OET
(see note 2) |
Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests |
Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests |
Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests |
Minimum of Grade C or 200 in all sub-tests |
Minimum of Grade C+ or 300 in all sub-tests |
NZCEL
a) Expiring
b) Current
(see note 3) |
a) Level 3 (General) or (Workplace)
b) Level 3 (General) |
a) Level 3 (Academic)
b) Level 3 (Applied) |
a) Level 4 (General) or (Workplace)
b) Level 4 (General) or (Employment) |
a) Level 4 (Academic)
b) Level 4 (Academic) |
a) Level 5 (Academic) or (Professional)
b) Level 5 |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic)
(see note 2) |
PTE (Academic) score of 36 with no band score lower than 36 |
PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 |
PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36 |
PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42 |
PTE (Academic) score of 58 with no band score lower than 50 |
| LanguageCert
(see note 2) |
B1 Achiever International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS |
B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS |
B2 Communicator International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS |
C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS |
C1 Expert International ESOL Written (LRW) HIGH PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS
or C2 Mastery International ESOL Written (LRW) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill and Spoken (S) PASS |
| Trinity ISE
(see note 2) |
ISE I with no less than distinction in any band |
ISE II with no less than pass in any band |
ISE II with no less than merit in any band |
ISE II with no less than distinction in any band |
ISE III with no less than pass in any band |
Note 1The listed outcomes represent the minimum scores or grades for each test or qualification that qualify a student for enrolment at each programme level. Students with higher scores or grades than required for a particular programme level may still enrol at that level. Where the entry requirements for a programme are for a higher English proficiency outcome than is listed in the relevant row of the Table for the programme level in which the student is being enrolled, the student must meet that higher level.
Note 2 All test scores must be from a single report except:
- TOEFL iBT where the test scores must be from a single report for a single test date, and the My best Scores option must not be used
- LanguageCert where the test scores must be from a single report for Written (LRW) and a separate individual report for Spoken (S).
Note 3 New versions of some NZCEL qualifications, and in some cases new qualifications, were published on 13 June 2017. These are intended to replace pre-existing versions and qualifications, which have been given expiring status until discontinued on 31 December 2019.
The listed outcomes represent the minimum scores or grades for each test or qualification that qualify a student for enrolment at each programme level. Students with higher scores or grades than required for a particular programme level may still enrol at that level.
IELTS scores used must be taken from a single IELTS Test Report Form (i.e. combining scores from more than one test is not permissible).
Students need to be familiar with the above table with the requirements and gain the required score for at least one of the English Language Proficiency tests mentioned. All international students must have the required English Proficiency for their respective level of study in order to be granted admission for the programme and given an offer of place by ACMI.
Academic score of 6.5 with no band score lower than 6
