Postgraduate application information
Whether you're a fresh graduate or navigating a non-traditional academic journey, our postgraduate programmes offer a diverse range of opportunities.
Pathway programmes for international students
If you are an international student who does not meet the English language requirements for a postgraduate degree, you have the opportunity to study our Academic English programme at the University of Waikato College, which is designed to develop your English language skills. With successful completion of Level 8, you can progress to most postgraduate degrees at the University of Waikato.
The University of Waikato welcomes applications from students completing the NCUK Master’s Preparation Programme. For further details, please visit our dedicated NCUK information page.
English Language Entry Requirements
The University teaches in the medium of English and requires all students to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English.
If you are an international student, you will need to meet English language entry requirements. If you do not meet the English language requirement for your chosen qualification, you can enrol in an Academic English programme with our University of Waikato College.
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, you may be considered for an English language waiver.
Refer to the equivalent qualifications section for more details.
English language test | Postgraduate, including higher degrees (all courses except those listed below) |
IELTS | 6.5 overall (no band less than 6.0) |
iBT (internet-based) TOEFL | 90 with a score of 21 in writing |
iBT (home-based) TOEFL | 90 with a score of 21 in writing |
C1 Advanced (formally known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) | 176 and no bands below 169 |
C2 Proficiency (formally known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)) | 176 and no bands below 169 |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) | C1 Expert with an overall high pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
Language Cert International ESOL (LRWS) | C2 Mastery with an overall pass and no less than a pass in each skill |
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (NZCEL) | Level 5 (Academic) |
Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) | Minimum score of 59 |
Pearson PTE Academic | 56 and no PTE communicative skills below 46 |
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) | III with a pass in all four components |
University of Waikato College | Successful completion of Level 8 with a B grade in the Certificate of Attainment in Academic English (CAAE) programme |
For entry requirements to professional qualifications such as Law, Initial Teacher Education (ITE), and Nursing, please refer to the Academic Calendar.
For the English language entry requirements for Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas, please see our undergraduate entry requirements page.
Equivalent qualifications
If you have successfully completed study in the medium of English, or you have taken an English language assessment not listed, please refer to the documents below. These documents list all approved alternatives to our English language entry requirements.

Postgraduate options
Ready to advance your knowledge and career? Explore our diverse range of postgraduate programmes at the University of Waikato.