Universities Accepting IELTS 6.5 in New Zealand

Browse 16 universities in New Zealand where you can apply with an IELTS band score of 6.5 or lower. Data verified as of April 2026.

A band score of 6.5 opens doors to a significant number of programmes. The universities listed below accept IELTS Academic scores at or below 6.5 for at least one level of study (undergraduate or postgraduate). Always confirm the specific programme requirements — some departments set higher minimums for Writing or Speaking.

Universities: 16
Accept 6.5 for UG: 16
Accept 6.5 for PG: 16

Browse by Band Score

IELTS 5.5 IELTS 6.0 IELTS 6.5 IELTS 7.0 IELTS 7.5

Other Countries at IELTS 6.5

United States (61)United Kingdom (47)Canada (35)Australia (33)Germany (26)India (26)Malaysia (19)South Africa (18)Ireland (17)France (15)Romania (13)Kazakhstan (13)Vietnam (12)Austria (12)Bangladesh (12)Sri Lanka (12)Oman (12)Malta (12)Tunisia (12)Bulgaria (11)Sweden (11)Thailand (11)Pakistan (11)Morocco (10)Netherlands (10)China (10)Ghana (10)Croatia (10)Slovakia (10)Mauritius (10)Denmark (9)Japan (9)Finland (8)Norway (8)Singapore (8)United Arab Emirates (8)Brazil (8)Peru (8)Mexico (7)Luxembourg (7)Saudi Arabia (7)Indonesia (7)Albania (6)Italy (6)Hong Kong (6)Philippines (6)Egypt (5)Switzerland (5)Belgium (5)Hungary (5)South Korea (5)Turkey (5)Chile (5)Poland (5)Lithuania (5)Fiji (5)Cyprus (4)Uzbekistan (4)Slovenia (4)Czech Republic (4)Nigeria (4)Argentina (4)Portugal (4)Latvia (4)Zambia (4)Kuwait (3)Spain (3)Qatar (3)Kenya (3)Colombia (3)Estonia (3)

FAQ: IELTS 6.5 Universities in New Zealand

How many universities in New Zealand accept IELTS 6.5?

There are 16 universities in New Zealand that accept an overall IELTS band score of 6.5 or lower for undergraduate and/or postgraduate programmes. Requirements vary by programme — always check the specific faculty page.

Is IELTS 6.5 enough for a master's degree in New Zealand?

Many postgraduate programmes in New Zealand accept IELTS 6.5, though competitive programmes (Law, Medicine, MBA) may require higher scores. Check individual programme requirements and consider pre-sessional courses if you're 0.5 bands short.

Can I apply with IELTS General Training?

No. All universities require IELTS Academic, not General Training. Submitting a General Training score will result in an incomplete application.

What if my score is slightly below 6.5?

If you're 0.5-1.0 band below the requirement, many universities offer pre-sessional English courses. Successful completion satisfies the English language condition without retaking IELTS.

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