Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
MDS IELTS by programme
From MDS's international students page and its Bachelor of Information Technology, Graduate Diploma in Creative Advertising and Master of Design pages.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's degrees (e.g. Bachelor of Information Technology) | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | LanguageCert Academic, or NZQA-listed equivalent |
| Graduate Diploma in Creative Advertising | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | LanguageCert Academic, or NZQA-listed equivalent |
| Master of Design | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | LanguageCert Academic 70 (no skill below 65), or equivalent |
Other tests and exemptions
MDS says it accepts a range of internationally recognised English tests and points to the NZQA list for equivalent scores. It does not print PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo numbers on these pages.
Students from Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden can meet the requirement through their academic transcripts, without IELTS.
Free test: are you at Media Design School's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Portfolio and how to check
Creative programmes at MDS also ask for a portfolio, so English is only one part of the offer decision.
Requirements vary by programme and change between intakes. The score that binds you is the one on your MDS programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Media Design School publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does Media Design School need?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for bachelor's degrees and graduate diplomas, and 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for the Master of Design.
Does Media Design School accept PTE?+
MDS accepts NZQA-listed equivalent tests but does not print a PTE score on its pages. Ask admissions which PTE score it needs.
Does Media Design School need IELTS for European students?+
Students from Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden can use their academic transcripts instead.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in New Zealand accepting IELTS 6.0
- IELTS for New Zealand
- Yoobee College IELTS requirement
- Whitecliffe IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy