What IELTS score do you need for the University of Canterbury?

UC says some departments and programmes need higher results than its minimums, so check your qualification page. Teaching qualifications have a published table of their own:

IELTS Academic: 7.0 overall, with 7.0 in reading, writing and speaking (the page lists no separate listening figure for IELTS). PTE Academic: 69 overall with listening 61, reading 62, writing 73 and speaking 79. TOEFL iBT from 21 January 2026: 5 overall with listening 5, reading 5, writing 5.5 and speaking 4.5; earlier tests need 98 with 24, 24, 27 and 23.

UC's English language proficiency page lists IELTS Academic as accepted "including online and One Skill Retake". PTE Academic includes the online version, and TOEFL iBT includes the Home Edition and Paper Edition. You must reach the standard in one sitting within two years of the expected study start date.

If you need more time, UC recommends English courses at CCEL College of English. CCEL's EAP Level 2 is approved for entry: a C+ grade for undergraduate and a B+ for postgraduate. Completing the Pre-masters One Semester (CertArts) taught by UCIC also meets the English requirement for most master's programmes.

The New Zealand student visa does not set an IELTS band of its own: the university decides whether your English meets its entry standard, and its offer of place is what you submit. So the scores on this page are the ones that matter. UC can change them for a new intake; check the linked page before you book a test. This guide restates the university's pages; it is not admissions advice.