TOEFL Score for Popular Courses in New Zealand in 2025
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" Want to study in New Zealand in 2025? Knowing the required TOEFL score for your desired course is crucial. Ensure your TOEFL scores meet the latest requirements for your desired course. Read on to find out the minimum scores needed for top programs!"
Key Highlights
New Zealand is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students, offering world-class education and a welcoming environment. But if you're planning to study in New Zealand in 2025, there's one hurdle you must clear — the TOEFL score requirement.
TOEFL is an important part of the admission process when it comes to international students. Universities and colleges in New Zealand use TOEFL scores to assess the proficiency of a student in English. But how much do you need to score for your dream course?
This guide breaks down how much one needs to score in TOEFL for their favorite courses in New Zealand, including business, engineering, law, medicine, and more.
Understanding TOEFL Score Requirements
Most of the universities have a basic university score in TOEFL, along with the course applied to. While most universities generally would require an 80+ for undergraduate courses and 90+ for postgraduate applications, highly competitive courses often lay down higher scores for entrance to medicine, law, or engineering courses.
Program Type |
Minimum TOEFL Score (iBT) |
Undergraduate Courses |
80-90 (Overall) |
Postgraduate Courses |
90-100 (Overall) |
Research/Ph.D. Programs |
95-105 (Overall) |
Note: Some universities may require specific section scores for reading, writing, speaking, and listening. For example, writing sections often have higher score requirements (25+).
TOEFL Scores for Popular Courses in New Zealand in 2025
Certain courses in New Zealand have more rigorous TOEFL score requirements. Here’s a breakdown of scores for popular fields of study.
Program |
University |
Minimum TOEFL iBT Score |
Program Level |
Engineering |
University of Canterbury |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
University of Waikato |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
Lincoln University |
80 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
University of Auckland |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
PG Diploma in Agricultural Science |
Lincoln University |
80 |
Postgraduate (PG Diploma) |
University of Otago |
90 |
Postgraduate (PG Diploma) |
|
Massey University |
90 |
Postgraduate (PG Diploma) |
|
Master of Tourism |
Auckland University of Technology |
80 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
University of Otago |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
Lincoln University |
80 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
University of Canterbury |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
University of Auckland |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
University of Otago |
90 |
Postgraduate (Master's) |
|
Artificial Intelligence (AI) |
Varies by University |
90 |
Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
Hotel Management |
Varies by University |
80-90 |
Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
Accounting |
Varies by University |
90 |
Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
Sports Management |
Varies by University |
80-90 |
Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
IT and Computer Science |
Varies by University |
80-90 |
Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
Key Pointers:
-
The TOEFL scores listed are indicative. Some universities or programs may have specific sectional score requirements for Reading, Writing, Speaking, or Listening.
-
Most postgraduate courses require students to have a bachelor's degree (with a minimum grade of B or equivalent) and a valid TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE score.
-
The most common requirement for MBA courses is prior work experience (generally 3-5 years) with a minimum TOEFL score.
-
TOEFL score requirements for courses like AI, IT, and Sports Management may differ across universities and course levels (undergraduate or postgraduate).
TOEFL Score Requirements at Top Universities in New Zealand
Top New Zealand universities have strict TOEFL score requirements. Here's an overview of popular universities and their score expectations for 2025.
University |
TOEFL Requirement (iBT) |
University of Auckland |
90-100 |
University of Otago |
85-95 |
Victoria University of Wellington |
90-100 |
University of Canterbury |
90-95 |
Massey University |
80-90 |
Auckland University of Technology (AUT) |
80-90 |
Tip: Universities like the University of Auckland and University of Otago have higher TOEFL score requirements for postgraduate and professional degree programs.
How to Improve Your TOEFL Score for Admissions in New Zealand Universities?
Here are some tips to help you achieve the minimum TOEFL score required for your preferred course:
-
Start Early Preparation
-
Begin TOEFL preparation at least 3-6 months before your test date. Early preparation helps identify your strengths and weaknesses, giving you ample time to improve.
Use Official Practice Resources
-
Use official TOEFL practice tests, study guides, and online courses. These resources offer realistic test experiences and help you understand the test structure and question patterns.
Focus on Sectional Scores
-
Many universities in New Zealand have minimum sectional score requirements for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Make sure to concentrate on all four sections for a balanced score.
Master Time Management
-
Effective time management during the TOEFL exam is essential. Familiarize yourself with the test format and practice pacing yourself to ensure you complete each section within the allotted time.
Attempt Full-Length Practice Tests
-
Take full-length practice tests to simulate the actual TOEFL exam experience. These tests help you identify areas for improvement and build exam-day confidence.
Target Higher Than the Minimum Requirement
-
While universities provide a minimum TOEFL requirement, scoring higher improves your chances of admission, especially for competitive courses like MBA and Engineering.
Finally, these preparation strategies are sure to help you in increasing your TOEFL score, thereby increasing the chances of getting into one of the best universities in New Zealand. Programs such as Engineering, MBA, and Tourism have a higher threshold, while programs like Sports Management and Agriculture have a medium score requirement.
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