If you are an international student applying for admission to UC, you must demonstrate your proficiency in written and spoken English. This can be achieved by providing evidence you have either gained University Entrance with a NZ-based qualification, completed an , or passed an approved English language test to an appropriate standard.
UC recognises the following English Language tests and courses:
*Bookyour IELTS test directly through thewebsite. If you arecurrently in NZ, there are several IELTS test locations around the country, including UC's ownCentre for Assessment & Monitoringsituated on the UC Dovedale campus in Christchurch. Select the location and time that suits you plus the test type and delivery format required. Please emailielts@canterbury.ac.nzwith any queries related to your test.
**Once you receive your Duolingo test results, you will need to share them with UC so they can be viewed. Follow the instructions.
You must achieve a satisfactory standard in one sitting within two years of the expected study start date.
Some departments and programmes may require higher results than those listed below. Please check specific course and qualification information for further details.
For admission to an undergraduate qualification at UC, except an undergraduate teaching qualification, your English language test results must meet the following minimum standard:
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Minimum score of 169 with at least 162 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
CCEL EAP
Level 2 with a minimum C+ grade.
DET
Minimum total score of 105.
FluentIQ
Overall mark of 8/10 with nothing less than a 7 being scored in a single category.
IELTS
Academic with an average score of 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 inreading, writing, listening and speaking.
ISE
ISE II with distinction in all 4 components.
LanguageCert
B2 Communicator (LRWS) overall with High Pass.
NZAPA
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 2 (with no skill lower than Level 1).
NZCEL
Level 4 - Academic endorsement.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
PTE with an overall score of50 and no PTE communicative skills score below42.
TOEFL iBT
Total minimum score of 80, with at least 19 inreading, writing and listening.Please note UC only accepts TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.
For admission to a postgraduate qualification at UC,your English language test results must meet the following minimum standard:
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
Score of 176 with a minimum of 169 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
CCEL EAP
Level 2 with a minimum B+ grade.
DET
Minimum total score of 120.
FluentIQ
Overall mark of 8/10 with nothing less than a 7 being scored in a single category.
IELTS Academic
An average score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
ISE
ISE III with a pass in all 4 components.
LanguageCert
C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with HIGH PASS.
NZAPA
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
NZCEL
Level 5.
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
PTE with an overall score of58 and no PTE communicative skills score below50.
TOEFL iBT
Total minimum score of 90, minimum score of 19 in reading, writing and listening.Please note UC only accepts TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores.
For admission to a teaching qualification at UCyour English language test results must meet the following minimum standard:
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency or Cambridge English exams
Listening: 185 minimum
Reading: 185 minimum
Writing: 185 minimum
Speaking: 185 minimum
Overall mark (in one test): 185 minimum
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic
Reading: 7.0
Writing: 7.0
Speaking: 7.0
Overall mark (in one test): 7.0
ISE III
Listening: Pass with merit
Reading: Pass with merit
Writing: Pass with merit
Speaking: Pass with merit
Overall mark (in one test): Pass with merit
LanguageCert - C1 Expert IESOL
Listening: no less than 35/50
Reading: no less than 35/50
Writing: no less than 35/50
Speaking: no less than 35/50
Overall mark (in one test): no less than 35/50
LanguageCert has changed the way it reports test results, changing from the language of 'pass/fail' to a numerical score. This change does not change the score required, it is simply a change in language
LanguageCert - C2 Mastery IESOL*
Listening: no less than 25/50
Reading: no less than25/50
Writing: no less than25/50
Speaking: no less than25/50
Overall mark (in one test): no less than 25/50
LanguageCert has changed the way it reports test results, changing from the language of 'pass/fail' to a numerical score. This change does not change the score required, it is simply a change in language.
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
Listening: 65
Reading: 65
Writing: 65
Speaking: 65
Overall mark (in one test): 65
TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT)
Listening: 24
Reading: 24
Writing: 27
Speaking: 23
Overall mark (in one test):98 minimum
For admission to the Certificate in Foundation Studies (CF) or the Diploma in University Studies (DipUniStud), your English language test results must meet the following minimum standards:
Cambridge International A Level Qualification
CF: -
DipUniStud:Passing grade in one A Level Examination. (Teaching and assessment of this subject must have been conducted in English).
CCEL (Christchurch College of English Language) EAP 1
CF:C+
DipUniStud:C+
Duolingo
CF:95 (no band below 80)
DipUniStud:95 (no band below 80)
IELTS (Academic) - including IELTS One Skill Retake and online
CF:5.5 (no band below 5.0)
DipUniStud:5.5 (no band below 5.0)
GCE/GCSE/IGCSE "O" level
CF: C in one subject
DipUniStud: -
International Baccalaureate
CF:Standard 5 or Higher 4
DipUniStud:Standard 5 or Higher 4
LanguageCert (online) B2 Communicator International ESOL
CF:Written (LRW) PASS and Spoken (S) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill.
DipUniStud:Written (LRW) PASS and Spoken (S) PASS with no less than 25/50 in each skill.
New Zealand NCEA Level 2 and/or3
CF:4 credits for Reading and 4 credits for Writing from the UE literacy OR five credits of Level 3 English Language standards
DipUniStud:4 credits for Reading and 4 credits for Writing from the UE literacy OR five credits of Level 3 English Language standards
NZCEL - New Zealand Certificate in English Language
CF:Level 3 (Applied)
DipUniStud:Level 4 (General)
Pearson Test of English (Academic)
CF:42 (no band below 36)
DipUniStud:42 (no band below 36)
TOEFL (iBT / home edition)
CF:46 (writing is not below 14)
DipUniStud:46 (writing is not below 14)
Upload an electronic copy of your evidence when you apply in.
If you receive an Offer of Place that is conditional on you passing an English language test, please upload your test results on theInformation Requiredpage in. This will notify the Admissions team that you have uploaded your evidence.
Alternatively you can email a copy of your evidence toadmission@canterbury.ac.nz.
If you need more time to get your English up to the minimum standard for study at UC, we recommend the English language programme offered by. Their courses are designed to provide you with the specific language and study skills needed to succeed in academic study.
The CCEL EAP2 programme has been approved as a non-IELTS university language entry standard for both undergraduate and postgraduate study.
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