What IELTS score do you need for Unitec?

Unitec's English language requirements page says international students must show the minimum IELTS level stated in the programme admission requirements, and that where a programme sets a higher level than NZQA's rule, you must meet the higher one. It also warns that student visa decline rates may affect your English language requirements, and points to Immigration New Zealand for current rates.

If you need to improve your English first, Unitec runs English language programmes from elementary to advanced level, and you can apply for those without meeting a programme's English requirement.

Each programme page states its own English level, and Unitec can change it for a new intake. Confirm the score on your programme page before you book a test.

Outside the universities, New Zealand providers must follow NZQA's English language entry requirements. The minimum by level in NZQA's Table is IELTS Academic 5.5 (no band below 5) or PTE 42 (36) for Level 5 programmes, 6.0 (5.5) or PTE 50 (42) for Level 6 and 7 diplomas and degrees, and 6.5 (6.0) or PTE 58 (50) for Level 8 to 10 postgraduate study. A programme may set a higher level, and then the higher level applies.

Results must be from the two years before the programme starts and from a single test report, taken at a test centre. NZQA accepts IELTS One Skill Retake but not TOEFL MyBest scores. Since 21 January 2026 the new-format TOEFL iBT cannot be accepted by non-university providers; only older TOEFL results and the TOEFL iBT Australia / New Zealand test count. Duolingo is not in NZQA's Table.

A degree taught in English exempts you only if it is from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, the UK, the US or Vanuatu. Indian, Nepali and Pakistani degrees are not on that list, so applicants from those countries need a test.