Whakauru

Admissions

Admission is based on previous qualifications and results. You’ll need to meet one of the admission types to gain entry to Victoria University of Wellington.

There are a number of different ways in which you can meet the requirements to become a student at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. These admission pathways are listed below.

We'll work out your admission type when you apply to study online, but it's a good idea to know in advance what you'll need to achieve. If you don't know what type of admission is right for you, use the tool below to figure it out.

English language requirements for domestic students

All students enrolling at Victoria University of Wellington must have a sufficient level of English language proficiency to support their studies.

If you are a domestic student and your first language is not English, te reo Māori, or NZSL, you may be asked to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.

You will be considered a domestic student for admission purposes if you are:

• a New Zealand citizen, or a citizen of Niue, Cook Islands, or Tokelau Islands
• a New Zealand resident or permanent resident
• an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• a diplomat or consular assigned to live in New Zealand, or an immediate dependent.

If you're an international student, you should look at the English language and academic entry requirements page instead.

Undergraduate student requirements

We consider that you have met the English language requirements for most* undergraduate programmes of study if you have gained one of the following:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.0 with no sub-score below 5.5
• TOEFL: minimum overall score of 80 (internet-based test)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): minimum score of 50 (with a 'Communicative score' of not less than 42)
• Victoria University of Wellington English for Academic Purpose (EAP) programme: minimum final scores of 4,4,4,3
• Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169 or higher, with each skill score no less than 162
• New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL): Level 4 (Academic)
• NZAPA: English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 2 (with no skill lower than Level 1)
• University Entrance achieved via NCEA Level 3
• Cambridge International (CAIE) or International Baccalaureate (IB) taken in New Zealand
• At least one year completed towards a New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) qualification at Level 5 or above.

We may consider secondary and tertiary studies that were taught in English at schools or other educational institutions outside of New Zealand. Check our International undergraduate entry requirements by country for more information.

Note: We do not accept the Duolingo English Tests to meet the Domestic English language requirements.

*There are specific English requirements for some undergraduate programmes of study, such as Bachelor of Midwifery and Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood.

Postgraduate student requirements

We consider that you have met the English language requirements for most* postgraduate requirements if you have gained one of the following:

• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score of 6.5 with no sub-score below 6.0
• TOEFL: minimum score of 90 for the internet-based test with a minimum of 20 in writing
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) minimum score of 58 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 50)
• Victoria University of Wellington English for Academic Purpose (EAP) programme: minimum final scores of 4,4,5,5
• Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency with a score of 176 or higher, with each skill score no less than 169
• New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL): Level 5 (Academic)
• NZAPA: English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2)
• a completed bachelor’s degree, on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), requiring at least three years full time study
• a completed postgraduate qualification, on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), requiring at least one year of full time study.

We may consider a tertiary qualification that was taught in English at an institution outside New Zealand, but you must have completed it less than two years before starting your studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Check our International postgraduate entry requirements by country for more information.

Note: We do not accept the Duolingo English Tests to meet the Domestic English language requirements.

*There are specific English requirements for some postgraduate programmes of study, such as Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education, Primary, and Secondary), Master of Teaching and Learning (Primary and Secondary), and Master of Nursing Practice.

Don’t meet these requirements?

If you believe that you meet the requirements through an English test or qualification that isn't listed here, contact info@vuw.ac.nz

English requirement waiver

If you're a domestic student and you don't meet our English language requirements, you may—in some cases—be eligible for a waiver. Cases will be evaluated on an individual basis. We may ask you to provide additional supporting documentation, such as a CV demonstrating extensive professional work experience in an English-speaking environment.

If you are applying for one of our nursing or midwifery qualifications, you won't be eligible for an English language waiver.