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English language proficiency

22 November 2023

International students must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in written and spoken English to study at UC. Find out more about what is required and how to provide your evidence.

HOW TO APPLY
Requirements

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, completed an, or passed an approved English language test to an appropriate standard.

Approved English language tests

UC recognises the following English Language tests and courses:

  • International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) - including online and One Skill Retake
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) - including Home Edition and Paper Edition #
  • CCEL English for Academic Purposes Level 2 (EAP Level 2)- includingonline
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE)- includingonline
  • New سԹCertificate in English Language (NZCEL)
  • FluentIQ (*FluentIQ should be used where IELTS Indicator or TOEFL cannot be used)
  • LanguageCert
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)

Booking an IELTS test

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.

Sharing Duolingo test results

Once you receive your Duolingo test results, you will need to share them with UC so they can be viewed. Follow the instructions .

Minimum English language test results

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:

CAE or CPE

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 سԹAccredited 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:

CAE or CPE

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 سԹAccredited 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:

Cambridge English examsC2 Proficiency (CPE)or
C1 Advanced (CAE)orCambridge 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

Listening:7.0
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 than25/50

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

Providing evidence to UC

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 the Information 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.

Getting your English 'up to scratch'

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.

For more information about English language requirements

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