List of Colleges Accepting 5.5 IELTS Band in New Zealand
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
New Zealand is one of the famous study destinations for Indian students. Diverse course options offered by top-ranked universities and budget-friendly fees attract students from across the world. However, it is important for students who belong to non-English speaking countries, to prove their proficiency in the English language.
Are you looking to study in New Zealand? Then, obtaining a New Zealand Study Visa is your starting point. New Zealand is famous for its passion for cricket and rugby. However, it is also a popular destination for international students in pursuit of job-oriented education, especially their two-year diploma courses. Being an English-speaking nation, educational institutions in New Zealand ask for an IELTS exam scorecard to establish English language proficiency.
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Minimum IELTS band score to study in New Zealand
| Program to Study |
Minimum IELTS Requirement |
Minimum Academic Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma |
6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
Passed High School |
| Bachelors |
6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
Passed High School |
| Graduate Diploma |
6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
Bachelor’s degree |
| PG Diploma |
6.5 with no band less than 6.0 |
Bachelor’s degree |
| Masters |
6.5 with no band less than 6.0 |
Bachelor’s degree |
It is clear that an IELTS score of 5.5 bands, while acceptable, limits your scope significantly to pursue a course of your choice. Additionally, your choice of universities is also defined as the top ones that do not generally accommodate IELTS exam scores below 6.5 or 6. Which country accepts five bands in the IELTS exam is a question many international students seek an answer for. Let us check out the colleges in New Zealand that accept a 5.5 IELTS band score.
Universities in New Zealand accepting IELTS 5.5 and above
As already, discussed, the 5.5 IELTS band restricts the choice of Universities and Courses is evident in the list given below. Some good universities may still accommodate such students but will compel you to pursue special English courses like ELICOS for compensating the deficiency.
| Universities |
IELTS Score |
Course |
|---|---|---|
| 6 |
For diploma only |
|
| 6 |
Only Diploma. |
|
| 6 |
For Diploma in Business Studies |
|
| 6 |
For diploma only |
|
| 6 |
For Diploma in Business Studies |
|
| 6 |
Pathway course leading to graduate studies |
|
| 6 |
Foundation course leading to graduate studies |
|
| 6 |
For diploma only |
Which test should I take?
There are two tests available: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. It depends on the requirement; the Academic test is usually for entry into university. General training is used for migration purposes. Before, applying for the test students have to check the minimum IELTS required for admission at the universities.
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Other countries accepting 5.5 IELTS band
There are hosts of universities in the USA, Canada, and Europe that still consider the 5.5 IELTS band for admission, but the principles applied to New Zealand are also valid in these universities. Here is a list of such universities at random from the named countries for academic information. The list is not exhaustive but only indicative.
- University of Missouri (USA)
- Ohio University (USA)
- Washington State University (USA)
- Capilano University (Canada)
- Canadore College (Canada)
- Karlsruhe University of Technology (Germany)
- University of Essex (UK)
- Budapest Metropolitan University (Hungary)
While most top-notch universities across the world that use English as a medium of instruction seek either TOEFL or IELTS scorecard in the range of 6 or above, there are enough opportunities for students who score under 6 as many colleges and universities in New Zealand and other countries accept lower IELTS 5.5 band as mentioned above.
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Colleges Accepting 5.5 IELTS Band in New Zealand FAQs
Q. Are 5.5 bands eligible for NZ?
A. To successfully obtain a New Zealand study visa, you need a minimum overall IELTS Band Score of 5.5.
Q. Where can I go with 5.5 IELTS?
A. With a 5.5 score, you can apply for European countries such as Poland, Greece, etc. where you can get an IELTS waiver, and the UK. Further, countries like New Zealand, Canada, Singapore, and Dubai includes colleges that accept 5.5 IELTS band score.
Q. Can I get a visa in the overall 5.5 bands?
A. Minimum IELTS Band Requirement for Canada Study Permit. A study visa for Canada requires the Student to score at least 5.5 in each of the four IELTS bands requirements with an overall minimum score of 6.0 and above for undergraduate & diploma programs.
Q. Can I enter NZ without IELTS?
A. You can get a New Zealand study visa without taking the IELTS. The New Zealand Immigration authority interviewed you to check your English language communication skills before approving your visa.
Q. Which country does not need IELTS?
A. Countries like Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, etc. accept student applications without the IELTS exam. Make sure you go to the university's website and check the entire application process without IELTS scores.
Q: Which countries require IELTS score for admission?
Q: Is New Zealand good for Indian students?
With a good educational system, excellent quality of life, and a number of research opportunities, New Zealand offers a lot to international students. Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand has a 39 percent population of overseas citizens, making it a culturally diverse city. Moreover, the post-study work visa in New Zealand can offer up to three years of stay back. As per Stats New Zealand, its unemployment rate is 3.4 percent. Students enrolled in a course of 12 months or more can also work part-time in New Zealand for up to 20 hours a week during the semester and holidays.
Q: How many IELTS test centres are there in India?
Spread across 75+ Indian cities, there are approximately 78 IELTS test centres. Indian applicants planning to take IELTS exam, can choose from any 78 test centres and appear for the exam. Applicants should ideally choose the nearest IELTS exam centre for taking the exam.
Q: What is the acceptance rate for Lincoln University New Zealand?
According to various unofficial sources, Lincoln University New Zealand acceptance rate is around 60%. The acceptance rate indicated that the university is moderately selective at the time of admission. So, to get into the university, make sure to have a good academic record and meet the entry requirements such as having 12 years of schooling and minimum percentage for admission to bachelor’s courses. For admission to postgraduate courses, a relevant degree is required with the minimum grade.
Q: How good is Lincoln University New Zealand?
Lincoln University New Zealand has received QS 5 stars for its teaching, employability, global engagement, research, facilities, etc. Furthermore, in 2025, as per a top-ranking publisher, the university has been placed at #371 position. In short, it has retained its global position in the Top 25% of universities. Furthermore, a wide range of scholarship opportunities are available to international students.
Q: How many US Universiies are accepting IELTS exam scores?
The IELTS exam is widely popular in many English-speaking countries such as Canada, the UK, Australia and the USA. A majority of US universities accept IELTS scores. Candidates can check on the university's official website or connect with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors to learn about English language requirements for universities across the USA.
Q: Can I crack IELTS and GMAT exams without any coaching classes?
Q: In which US Universities is IELTS accepted for admissions?
IELTS Band Scores are widely accepted across universities in USA, Canada and other English speaking countries. Check: IELTS Scores at the Best Universities in US IELTS scores across popular universities in the US:
| S.no. | Universities | Required IELTS score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University | 6.0 |
| 2 | Washington University in State Louis | 6.5 |
| 3 | University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign | 6.5 |
| 4 | Colorado State University | 6.0 |
| 5 | Saint Louis University | 6.5 |
| 6 | The University of Texas at Arlington | 6.5 |
| 7 | Pace University | 7.0 |
| 8 | University of New Haven | 7.5 |
| 9 | Iowa State University | 6.0 |
| 10 | Northeastern University | 7.0 |
Raj Vimal has experience of 7+ years in SEO Content Writing, which includes 5+ years in the Ed-Tech industry. He has written articles about studying abroad, especially in the USA, UK, and other English-speaking coun... Read Full Bio
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In order to be eligible to study abroad, IELTS ecam scores will be required in majority of the English speaking countries. In total there are 140 countries which accept IELTS scores for admissions from international students. Some of these top countries are as follows: