Want to study abroad in a highly reputed university and take in postcard-worthy landscapes anywhere you go? Try Aotearoa New Zealand!
Applying for New Zealand universities will require you to prove your English proficiency, where you can opt for a recognised English test like IELTS, and be assessed on your proficiency across different categories such as Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.
Once you attain the minimum IELTS band score required, you can use it to enrol in the university and course of your choice, which is also one of the pathways towards finding work in New Zealand.
Minimum scores for New Zealand universities
Eight highly-ranked universities in the country fall within the top 400 in the world (QS World University Rankings). It’s also known for being a safe and inclusive place to live and study, so it’s no wonder that more international students are choosing New Zealand.
Keep reading on for minimum IELTS requirements according to the top-ranked universities in New Zealand.
Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2026
One of the world’s most established metrics, the Times Higher Education world rankings assess universities based on the following five key performance indicators: teaching, research quality, research environment, international outlook and industry income.
Rank | University | Global rank | IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) | IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
1 | University of Auckland | =156 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
2 | University of Otago | 351 – 400 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
=3 | University of Waikato | 401 – 500 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
=3 | Victoria University of Wellington | 401 – 500 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
=5 | Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | 501 – 600 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
=5 | Lincoln University | 501 – 600 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
=5 | Massey University | 501 – 600 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
8 | University of Canterbury | 601 – 800 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
QS World University Rankings in 2026
The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world rankings is also another global premier ranking system which rates universities by institution and subject through academic reputation, citation, faculty to student ratio, employer, international research and sustainability indicators.
Rank | University | Global rank | IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) | IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
1 | University of Auckland | 65 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
2 | University of Otago | 214 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
3 | University of Waikato | 235 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
4 | Massey University | 239 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
5 | Victoria University of Wellington | 244 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
6 | University of Canterbury | 261 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
7 | Lincoln University | 371 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
8 | Auckland University of Technology (AUT) | 412 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
Your New Zealand study adventure awaits
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Get a headstart with IDP IELTS Prep Hub, your one-stop online test resource for accessible how-to videos, IELTS Academic practice tests and preparation tips from IELTS experts.
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