English language entry requirements
To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
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IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)
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TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)
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Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:
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DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)
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DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)
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DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.
Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.
The University’s English language entry requirements are set out below. If you do not meet the English language entry requirements you can enrol in an English Language programme with our University of Waikato College.
If English was the language of instruction in the last two years of secondary/tertiary studies, an English language waiver may be considered. Students need to provide evidence of this at the time of application.
English language test
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Undergraduate (all courses except those listed below)
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IELTS
(Academic)
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6.0 overall (no band less than 5.5)
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iBT (internet-based) TOEFL
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80 with a score of 21 in writing
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iBT (home-based) TOEFL
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80 with a score of 21 in writing
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C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE))
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169 and no bands below 162
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C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE))
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169 and no bands below 162
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Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS)
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C1 Expert with an overall pass and no less than pass in each skill
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NCUK English for Academic Purposes
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Minimum of a C grade overall and no less than D grade in each component. Some programmes have additional entry requirements. For further details, visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
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New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL)
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Level 4 (Academic)
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Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
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Minimum score of 80
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Pearson PTE Academic
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50 with no PTE communicative skills below 42
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Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
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II with distinction in all four components
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University of Waikato College
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Successful completion of Level 7 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme
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English language test
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Undergraduate
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Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
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Bachelor of Social Work
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IELTS
(Academic)
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7.0 overall (no band less than 7.0)
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6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in any band)
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6.5 overall (no band less than 6.5)
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iBT (internet-based) TOEFL
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90 with a score of 21 in writing
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85 with a score of 22 in writing
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Pearson PTE Academic
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58 with no PTE communicative skills below 50
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University of Waikato College
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Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade average in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme
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