Programmes with higher English requirements

Find out the English language criteria for postgraduate programmes with higher requirements.

English language requirement per degree

To study the degrees listed below at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, you need to show that your English is strong enough. There are several options for meeting this requirement.


Master of Laws

You can meet the English-language requirement with one of the following:

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with no band less than 6.5
  • TOEFL IBT 100 with a minimum of 21 in Writing
  • Duolingo overall DET 130 with no band less than 120
  • EAP at VUW Final scores: Reading 5, Writing 5, Speaking 5, Listening 4.
PhD in Law

You can meet the English-language requirement with one of the following:

  • IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with 6.5 in Reading, Listening and Speaking, and 7.0 in Writing
  • TOEFL IBT 100 with 25 in Writing
  • Duolingo overall DET 130 with no band less than 120 and Writing no less than 130
  • EAP at VUW Final scores: Reading 5, Writing 5, Speaking 5, Listening 4.
PhD in Education

You can meet the English-language requirement with one of the following:

  • IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with no band less than 6.5
  • TOEFL IBT 90 with 21 in Writing and other sub-scores at a minimum at the mid-point of high-intermediate level
  • Duolingo overall DET 120 with no band less than 120
  • EAP at VUW Final scores: 4, 4, 5, 5.
How to share your Duolingo test results

To send your Duolingo English Test results to the University, follow the steps in How do I send my Duolingo English Test results to institutions?

English-speaking countries and English-medium education

The evidence you need to provide for your English-language ability depends on your nationality and where you have studied.

List A countries
Nationals

If you are a national of a List A country, you are generally exempt from providing additional evidence of your English-language ability.

Additional evidence may be requested if there are concerns about your English ability.

Non-nationals

If you are not a national of a List A country but have studies there, you are generally exempt from providing additional evidence of your English-language ability if you have successfully completed the entire undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a recognised institution in a List A country.

Additional evidence may be requested if there are concerns about your English ability.

List A countries
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Canada (except Quebec)
  • Cook Islands
  • Fiji
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Niue
  • Singapore
  • Tanzania
  • Tokelau
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • United Kingdom
  • USA
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
List B countries

Students who studied in a List B country (nationals or non-nationals of that country) may satisfy the English language requirements, if the following criteria are met:

  • Successful completion of the entire undergraduate or postgraduate degree at a recognised institution from that country
  • The entire content was taught in English
  • The study was completed within two years prior to application
  • English as the language of instruction is confirmed on the transcript or with a supporting letter from the institution.
List B countries
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Belize
  • Botswana
  • Cuba
  • Cyprus
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ghana
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Hong Kong
  • Kiribati
  • Lesotho
  • Malaysia
  • Marshall Islands
  • Micronesia
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Palau
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • Sierra Leone
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Sweden
  • Tonga
  • Tuvalu
  • Uganda
  • Vanuatu
Waiver of English Language Requirements

If you have studied in one of the countries listed above but do not meet the exemption criteria, you may still be eligible for a waiver of the English language requirements. To be considered, you must provide documented evidence of strong English proficiency. This can include writing samples, reference letters from previous lecturers, or other relevant proof. Waiver requests are assessed individually by the University on a case-by-case basis.