Minimum English test scores at Otago
All figures are from Otago's English language requirements page, which applies to domestic and international applicants. IELTS Online is accepted. For TOEFL, Otago does not accept MyBest scores; its institution code is 9483.
| Test | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (incl. IELTS Online) | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 |
| PTE Academic | 50 overall, no communicative skill below 42 | 58 overall, no communicative skill below 50 |
| TOEFL iBT (from 21 Jan 2026) | 4 overall, writing 4 | 4.5 overall, writing 4.5 |
| TOEFL iBT (before 21 Jan 2026) | 80 overall, writing 20 | 90 overall, writing 21 |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 169, no band below 162 | 176, no band below 169 |
| Duolingo English Test | 105, no subscore below 95 | 120, no subscore below 95 |
Otago programmes with higher English requirements
Otago lists these in section 7 of the same page:
Social Work (Bachelor of Social Work; Master of Social and Community Work (Applied)): IELTS 7.0 with no band below 7.0, or TOEFL iBT 95 with writing 22, in one sitting within the previous two years.
Law (LLM and PhD): IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7 in each band, or internet-based TOEFL 102 with at least 24 in each section.
Dentistry (Advanced Standing entry to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery and clinical postgraduate programmes): IELTS 7.0 in each band. Teaching (BTchg and MTchgLn) follows the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand's language competency rules.
Current registration as a nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, or as a doctor with the Medical Council, meets the standard English requirement for most programmes. If you are still working towards registration, see our IELTS for nurses in New Zealand guide.
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The test must be taken no more than two years before you begin study at Otago. Otago may extend this to five years case by case if you show continued immersion in English, such as English-language work or further study.
IELTS One Skill Retake: not stated by the University of Otago. Its test table names IELTS Online but does not mention One Skill Retake, so ask admissions before relying on a retake result.
Otago's own pathway is the University of Otago Language Centre's "English for Otago" programme: a grade C or higher in English for Undergraduate Academic Purposes or English for Postgraduate Academic Purposes meets the requirement. The Foundation Studies Certificate also counts, with a C (undergraduate) or B (postgraduate) in both Academic English papers.
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. Otago 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.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does Otago need for undergraduate study?+
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5.
What PTE score does the University of Otago accept?+
PTE Academic 50 with no communicative skill below 42 for undergraduate, and 58 with none below 50 for postgraduate.
Does Otago accept the Duolingo English Test?+
Yes: 105 with no subscore below 95 for undergraduate, and 120 with no subscore below 95 for postgraduate.
Does the University of Otago accept IELTS One Skill Retake?+
Otago's English requirements page does not mention One Skill Retake. Confirm with admissions before using a retake result.
What IELTS do you need for Law at Otago?+
For the LLM and PhD in Law, IELTS Academic 7.5 overall with at least 7 in each band.
Keep reading
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Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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