English Language Requirements for Undergraduate Study

The University of Waikato teaches in the medium of English and students require competence in this language to be admitted to this University and to be successful in their studies.

Students with qualifications from countries such as Bahrain, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji, Ghana, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Soloman Islands, South Africa, Sweden, Tonga, USA, and Vanuatu would usually indicate that English is their first language or that English was the language of previous study if this is the case. Please note that applicants who have studied in some countries in which English is the medium of instruction may still be required to provide evidence of proficiency in English language and are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to provide satisfactory evidence of English language proficiency, generally in the form of an IELTS or TOEFL score. Scores can vary according to the qualification sought.If English is not your first language you must provide one of the following as evidence of English language proficiency:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

TEST	SCORE
IELTS	6.0 overall with no less than 6.0 in each band (6.5 for Bachelor of Teaching with at least 6.0 in the writing band and 7.0 for Graduate Diploma in Teaching in each band)
TOEFL (paper-based)	550 overall including a TWE of 5.0 (600 for Bachelor of Teaching, the Bachelor of Education and Graduate Diploma in Teaching)
TOEFL (computer-based)	213 including a TWE of 5.0 (4.5 in Essay Writing for for Bachelor of Teaching, the Bachelor of Education and Graduate Diploma in Teaching)
TOEFL (internet based)	79 - 80 with  a Writing score of 20 (22 in Writing for Bachelor of Teaching, the Bachelor of Education and Graduate Diploma in Teaching)
NCEA (NZ schooling)	8 credits and level 2 or higher in NCEA English; 4 credits must be in reading and 4 credits must be in writing

In some cases IELTS or TOEFL requirements may be waived. Consideration for a waiver will be given where:

• English was the language of instruction in the last two years of secondary / tertiary studies. Students need to provide evidence of this at the time of application
• successful completion of the Level 7 Certificate of Academic English Language (CAEL) programme at The University of Waikato Language Institute with a B grade average and no less than C in any section
• successful completion of the Foundation papers CAFS001 and CAFS002 with no less that B grades in each 
• a minimum of 8 credits at Level 2 or higher in NCEA English; 4 credits must be in reading and 4 credits must be in writing

Malaysia

Students who have achieved SPM English A1 or A2 or STPM General English B grade or above are not required to provide IELTS or TOEFL results to verify their English language ability.

Norway

Students who have attained a Grade 4 or higher in English Level 1 from the Norwegian first level/year of Upper Secondary School (Videregående Skoler), where 2 is the lowest passing grade and 6 is the highest grade, are not required to provide IELTS or TOEFL results to verify their English language ability.

Sweden

Students who have a “VG” (Pass with Distinction) or “MVG” (Pass with Honours) grade in Level “B” English language from Senior High School in Sweden are not required to provide IELTS or TOEFL results to verify their English language ability.

Please note: The English language requirements may be subject to change in subsequent years.

Each School of Studies / Faculty reserves the right to request an IELTS or TOEFL score or equivalent.

Faculty of Computing and Mathematical  Sciences – undergraduate students with an IELTS score of less than 7.0 or a paper-based TOEFL score of less than 600 will be required to enrol in and pass the paper ESLA101 Academic Writing and Research in their fi rst semester of enrolment.

Bachelor of Teaching – upon completion of study, students must be able to demonstrate a minimum score of IELTS 7.0 in each area of competence to gain teacher registration with the New Zealand Teachers Council.

Students are encouraged to develop their confidence in speaking and writing English and as such should choose an English as a Second Language paper as one of their elective papers. Please refer to http://papers.waikato.ac.nz/subjects/ESLA/