IELTS for studying in New Zealand

The IELTS NZQA rules set for international students in New Zealand, by qualification level: Academic 6.0 for a bachelor's, 6.5 for postgraduate study, and General Training up to level 4.

The band you need

ForTestOverallEach skill
Level 3 qualificationIELTS Academic or General Training5.05.0
Level 4 qualificationIELTS Academic or General Training5.55.0
Level 5 qualificationIELTS Academic5.55.0
Level 6 and 7 (diplomas, bachelor's degrees)IELTS Academic6.05.5
Level 8 to 10 (postgraduate)These are minimums: a programme may ask for more, and then you need its score.IELTS Academic6.56.0

Checked 29 October 2026 against the sources below. Requirements change, and your university or employer may ask for more: confirm with them before you book.

A practice plan

  1. Find your programme's NZQCF level and its own English requirement; take the higher of the two.
  2. Every band has a floor: find your weakest skill with the free placement test and work on it first.
  3. Sit IELTS at an official test centre: all scores must be on one Test Report Form, and a One Skill Retake is accepted.
  4. Your result must be from the two years before your programme starts: book with that in mind.

Start here

Questions

What IELTS score do I need for a bachelor's degree in New Zealand?

NZQA's minimum for level 6 and 7 programmes, which includes bachelor's degrees, is IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5. Your university may ask for more.

Can I use IELTS General Training?

Only for level 3 and 4 programmes. From level 5 up it must be IELTS Academic.

How old can my IELTS result be?

It must show the required score from the two years before your programme's start date.

How much does IELTS cost in Bangladesh?

IDP Bangladesh lists IELTS on Computer (Academic or General Training) at BDT 31,100 and IELTS for UKVI at BDT 34,850, and a One Skill Retake at BDT 18,600. Check the current fee when you book.

Sources

Other goals