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TOEFL Score for Popular Courses in New Zealand in 2025

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!"

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+).

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:

  1. 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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