Study in New Zealand Without IELTS

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Feb 21, 2023 06:27 PM IST

New Zealand has joined the league of most sought-after study abroad countries. However, do you know that students who are aspiring to study abroad can apply to top New Zealand universities without IELTS? Let us see how.

Study in New Zealand Without IELTS

In the past few decades, the rate of students opting for higher education in international universities has spiked as they seek quality education. The most sought-out countries for studying abroad were the USA, the UK and Canada, but with time, countries like France, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand have joined the league. These countries have undoubtedly captivated the attention of study abroad aspirants.

However, the admission requirements and application process for these countries is also a daunting task. All international universities have somewhat similar academic requirements, including a test score for English proficiency, such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Duolingo. While Ivy League institutions and top universities in the world have made it compulsory to submit an English proficiency score, A few famous universities have not mandated this requirement.

One of the most common questions of study aspirants is whether they can study abroad without IELTS? The simple answer is Yes! However, when it comes to a specific country or university, students need to be mindful of the IELTS alternatives. In this article, we will have a look at how to study in New Zealand without IELTS and what are some alternatives for studying without IELTS.

Most of the universities in New Zealand allow international students to get admission without IELTS. However, to study in New Zealand without IELTS, international students would be required to fulfil certain criteria and show specific documents as an alternative to IELTS.

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Can You Study in New Zealand Without IELTS?

Indian students who want to study in New Zealand without IELTS must have understood as of now they need not worry even if they do not have IELTS test scores. New Zealand, which is famous for its education system, gives international students a plethora of course options to apply to universities in the country without IELTS. Here are some of the eligibility criteria for studying in New Zealand without IELTS:

  • International students must show proof of studying in English medium school from classes 8-12. The document should also clearly mention that the medium of instruction was English. This document is usually called a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate or letter.

  • Applicants can also send proof of attending five years of education at the primary level in English medium school or three years at the higher secondary level.

  • Certain universities conduct interviews with international students to check their English proficiency.

  • If not IELTS, international applicants can also get admission at New Zealand universities with PTE or TOEFL scores.

Note: Apart from English proficiency, study abroad aspirants should meet all the eligibility criteria set by the respective university to be considered for admission.

Apart from the admission process, students are also required to prepare for student visa applications. So, for candidates who do not have an IELTS score, the New Zealand immigration authority conducts a special interview.

Planning to study abroad without IELTS in top countries? Check out these countries:

Study in UAE Without IELTS

Study in UK Without IELTS

Study in USA Without IELTS

Study in Ireland Without IELTS

Study in Germany Without IELTS

Study in France Without IELTS

Study in Australia Without IELTS

Study in Canada Without IELTS

IELTS Alternatives to Study in New Zealand

New Zealand gives other alternatives through which international students can study without IELTS. So here we have listed some of the alternatives to IELTS to study in New Zealand:

  • Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate: It is a certificate which states that the language the candidate has studied throughout their degree or schooling period. The language should not be necessarily a local or official language of the country. The certificate will only include the first language used by the candidate to complete their schooling.

  • Duolingo: If not IELTS, candidates can take the Duolingo English test. It is a new addition to the range of English proficiency tests. Duolingo is not only highly acceptable by universities in New Zealand, but also in the USA, UK, Australia and Canada. The best part is candidates can take the Duolingo English test online anytime, anywhere. It will take only an hour to finish the test and the candidates can get their results in two days.

  • TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is an English proficiency test set as a major requirement by various universities abroad. This test measures the English proficiency of non-native speakers, who are aspiring to enrol themselves in universities abroad. TOEFL can also be taken at home with TOEFL iBT Home Edition for international students.

  • PTE: Pearson Test of English or PTE is also one of the English proficiency tests that candidates can take if they aspire to study abroad. PTE has recently launched 'PTE at Home'. It is identical to the PTE test. Candidates can now take the test at home just like Duolingo. This was done to ensure students' safety during the pandemic.

  • Pathway programmes: Candidates have another alternative to IELTS in New Zealand - pathway programmes. Universities in New Zealand offer pathway programmes to international students who want to polish their language skills and want to work hard on the foundation of their desired programmes. If a candidate enrols themselves in these programmes, they can easily seek admission to undergraduate courses at any university in New Zealand.

  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): This English proficiency test is offered by the University of Cambridge to international students. Clearing the test shows that the candidate has mastered English and uses it in academic or professional situations.

  • Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE): This is also offered by the University of Cambridge in over 113 countries including the UK, US and New Zealand. If a student is planning to study abroad then they can take the CAE as proof of English language proficiency.

  • New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL): NZCEL is a full-time course that is intended for English learners as an additional language. Successful completion of this programme guarantees both domestic and international students admission to diploma programmes in New Zealand.

Documents Required to Study in New Zealand without IELTS

As international students are applying to New Zealand universities without IELTS, the documents may differ slightly. Instead of IELTS, there are other certificates as well that needs to be shown during the time of admission. Here are some of the basic and important documents that international students must have while applying to study in New Zealand without IELTS:

  • Academic transcripts and mark sheets clearly show that the candidate has completed their primary, secondary and senior secondary education in English medium school with English as a medium of instruction.

  • The academic transcripts and mark sheets should also showcase that the student has completed classes 8 to 12 with an English medium of instruction.

  • A bonafide certificate is also a must. The certificate should be issued by the candidate's school stating that the applicant has appeared for all the exams for the duration of your study (as per your transcripts and mark sheets) in English medium.

  • Certificates of other English proficiency tests like TOEFL, PTE Academic, Duolingo and CAE, if any of them are required.

Top Universities to Study in New Zealand without IELTS

Several top universities in New Zealand offer admission without IELTS scores. Students can either attend an interview set with college authorities or provide alternative proof of IELTS scores. Check out some of the top universities in New Zealand that grant admission to international students without IELTS:

University of Canterbury

University of Auckland

University of Otago

Lincoln University

Unitec Institute of Technology

Victoria University of Wellington

Waikato University

Cornell Institute of Business & Technology

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

Eastern Institute of Technology

Southern Institute of Technology

Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology

International Travel College of New Zealand

International College of Linguistics

Natcoll Design Technology

New Zealand Management Academies

New Zealand Student Visa Interview without IELTS

Apart from submitting alternative proof of English proficiency, candidates will have to sit for an interview conducted by New Zealand immigration authorities. This interview will be kept to check the candidate's language proficiency and assess whether they are the right fit for the course or not. Below we have given some prominent tips to help study abroad aspirants ace their visa interview and achieve their dream to study in New Zealand without IELTS:

  • The New Zealand immigration authorities will check if the university, the candidate has got admission to, is on the Category-I list for studying in the country without IELTS.

  • A candidate's knowledge of the English language and communication skills should be excellent to impress the authorities during the visa interview.

  • Keep a copy of academic transcripts, mark sheets and other vital documents as all these will be verified during the interview.

  • Candidates need not worry if they could not manage to clear the interview. They can sit for an interview again. So prepare well before the interview to leave a remarkable impression.

Hopefully, now it is pretty clear that students can apply to universities in New Zealand without IELTS scores. However, this does not mean that New Zealand disregards English proficiency altogether. New Zealand universities just provide an alternative way to apply without an IELTS score. Assessment of a candidate's English proficiency is still crucial to any admission process in any country and university.

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