English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to meet some specific requirements to study at Lincoln.
All teaching at Lincoln is in English, with a few courses taught partly in Te Reo Māori.
The English Language requirements outlined below are designed to make sure that you can participate fully in your study at Lincoln.
Test scores will be verified by Admission staff and an acceptable score must not be more than two years old on the day you commence your study.
Accepted English language tests and scores
You can meet our English language requirements by achieving one of the test scores below.
If you do not meet these requirements yet, you can still study at Lincoln through our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme.
|
Test |
Score |
|
Lincoln University English Language |
LU EL 70% |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (Academic) – including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake |
6.5 overall, with no individual component less than 6.0 |
|
TOEFL (iBT Internet-based test) – including TOEFL iBT Home Edition |
Overall score of 80 (with at least 21 in Writing and 18 in Speaking) |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and First (FCE) |
Overall score of 176, with no individual component less than 169 |
|
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
58 overall score - with no communicative skill less than 50 |
|
NZ Certificates in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 5 (Academic or Professional Endorsement) |
|
Duolingo English Test |
Minimum score 120 (no individual subscores below 105) |
|
LanguageCert Academic |
70 Overall (no individual score below 65) |
|
Test |
Score |
|
Lincoln University English Language |
LU EL 65% |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (Academic) – including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake |
6.0 overall, with no individual component less than 5.5 |
|
TOEFL (iBT Internet-based test) – including TOEFL iBT Home Edition |
Overall score of 60 (with at least 18 in Writing) |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and First (FCE) |
Overall score of 169, with no individual component less than 162 |
|
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
50 overall score - with no communicative skill less than 42 |
|
NZ Certificates in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 4 (Academic Endorsement) |
| Duolingo English Test | Minimum Score 105 (no individual subscores below 95) |
| LanguageCert Academic | 65 Overall (no individual score below 60) |
|
Test |
Score |
|
Lincoln University English Language |
LU EL 60% with no individual component less than 60% |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (Academic) – including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake |
5.5 overall, with no individual component less than 5.5 |
|
TOEFL (iBT Internet-based test) – including TOEFL iBT Home Edition |
Overall score of 53 (with at least 18 in Writing) |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and First (FCE) |
Overall score of 169, with no individual component less than 162 |
|
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
42 overall score - with no communicative skill less than 42 |
|
NZ Certificates in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 4 (General, Workplace or Academic Endorsement) |
| Duolingo English Test | Minimum Score 95 (no individual subscores below 95) |
| LanguageCert Academic | 60 Overall (no individual score below 60) |
|
Test |
Score |
|
Lincoln University – English for Academic Purposes (LU EAP) |
LU EL 60% |
|---|---|
|
IELTS (Academic) – including IELTS Online and One Skill Retake |
5.5 overall, with no individual component less than 5.0 |
|
TOEFL (iBT Internet-based test) – including TOEFL iBT Home Edition |
Overall score of 46 (with at least 14 in Writing) |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and First (FCE) |
B2 First or B2 First for schools with a score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill. |
|
Pearson Test of English (Academic) |
42 overall score with no communicative skill of less than 36. |
|
NZ Certificates in English Language (NZCEL) |
Level 4 (General, Employment or Academic Endorsement) |
| Duolingo English Test | Minimum Score 95 (no individual subscores below 80) |
| LanguageCert Academic | 60 Overall (no individual score below 55) |
Accepted University English Language pathway programmes
The following foundation programmes and certificates meet the English-language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.
The University of Auckland
- “C-“ FCertEAP or EPUS
Otago University
- “C” - University of Otago English for UG Academic Purposes (English for Otago)
Waikato University
- CAAE B at level 7 / CAEL Level 7
Victoria University of Wellington
- EAP (English for Academic Purposes at Victoria University of Wellington) Final scores: 4, 4, 4, 3
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment
- Level 2 Overall (no individual score below level 1)
The University of Auckland
- “B-“ FCertEAP or EPPS
Otago University
- “C” - University of Otago English for PG Academic Purposes (English for Otago)
Waikato University
- CAAE B at level 8 / CAEL Level 8
Victoria University of Wellington
- EAP (English for Academic Purposes at Victoria University of Wellington) Final scores: 4, 4, 5, 5
English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment
- Level 3 Overall (no individual score below level 2)
Don't meet the requirements?
You can start with our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme and progress directly into your degree once you reach the required level.
