PTE score for University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury asks for a PTE Academic score of 42 overall (no skill below 36) for foundation programmes, 42 overall (no skill below 36) for diploma programmes, 50 overall (no skill below 42) for bachelor's degrees, 58 overall (no skill below 50) for master's degrees and 69 overall and Listening 61, Reading 62, Speaking 79, Writing 73 for specific programmes such as Teaching qualifications. These figures were checked against the university's official pages on 13 October 2026; requirements vary by course and intake, so confirm yours on the programme page before you apply.
- Checked 13 Oct 2026
- 5 sourced requirements
- Christchurch, New Zealand
Canterbury PTE Academic requirements by level
Scores are on the PTE 10 to 90 scale. "Each skill at least" means Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing must each reach that figure, as well as the overall score. Where a row shows a figure for each skill, those are the minimums for that skill. Scroll sideways on a small screen.
| Level or programme | Overall | Each skill at least | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoundationCertificate in Foundation Studies (CertFounStudies), taught by UCIC | 42 | 36 | - | - | - | - | canterbury.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| DiplomaDiploma in University Studies (DipUniSt), taught by UCIC | 42 | 36 | - | - | - | - | canterbury.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Bachelor'sUndergraduate qualifications, except undergraduate teaching qualificationsPage states some departments and programmes may require higher results. | 50 | 42 | - | - | - | - | canterbury.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Master'sPostgraduate qualifications (general standard)Page states some departments and programmes may require higher results. | 58 | 50 | - | - | - | - | canterbury.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Teaching qualificationsAdmission to a teaching qualification (including undergraduate teaching qualifications)Per-skill figures are as listed on the page; overall is stated as 'overall mark (in one test)'. | 69 | - | 61 | 62 | 79 | 73 | canterbury.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
Where each figure comes from
Open a row to read the exact line from the official page. Only rows we could match to an official page are shown; they were re-read independently on 13 October 2026.
Evidence: Foundation (42 overall, no skill below 36)
“CertFounStudies: 42 (no band below 36)”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Diploma (42 overall, no skill below 36)
“DipUniSt: 42 (no band below 36)”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Bachelor's (50 overall, no skill below 42)
“PTE with an overall score of 50 and no PTE communicative skills score below 42.”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Master's (58 overall, no skill below 50)
“PTE with an overall score of 58 and no PTE communicative skills score below 50.”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Teaching qualifications (69 overall, Listening 61, Reading 62, Speaking 79, Writing 73)
“Listening: 61 Reading: 62 Writing: 73 Speaking: 79 Overall mark (in one test): 69”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Does your score qualify?
Type the scores from your PTE Academic score report. You will see, row by row, whether you meet Canterbury's figure and by how many points you miss it.
Enter the scores from your PTE Academic score report. Nothing is sent anywhere; the check runs in your browser.
Enter your scores to see which Canterbury rows you meet.
Comparing several universities? Use the eligibility checker.
Waivers and English pathways
Ways Canterbury says you may not need to submit a PTE score, or may reach the requirement another way.
Completing the Pre-masters One Semester (CertArts), taught on campus by UCIC, also satisfies the English requirement for most Master's programmes at UC; the page links a list of eligible programmes.
Official wording
“successful completion of the Pre-masters One Semester (CertArts) (taught on-campus by UCIC) will also satisfy the English Language Requirements”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026.
Test results must reach the required standard in a single sitting, taken within two years of the expected study start date.
Official wording
“You must achieve a satisfactory standard in one sitting within two years of the expected study start date.”
From canterbury.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026.
Good to know before you apply
- Scores must meet the standard in one sitting within two years of the expected study start date.
- Some departments and programmes may require higher results than the general figures.
What to practise for Canterbury
The highest single-skill minimum on this page is 79 in Speaking, set by the Teaching qualifications row. Practise that first if it is also near your weakest score.
Which PTE test, and how long a score lasts
| PTE Academic | Accepted |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic UKVI | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| PTE Core | Not stated on the pages we checked |
| Score validity noted | 2 years |
Page (dated 8 October 2026) lists Pearson Test of English (Academic) for undergraduate, teaching, postgraduate and UCIC-taught qualifications. It says some departments and programmes may require higher results. No PTE Academic Online note, PTE Core or UKVI mention, and no instructions on sending scores on this page; a linked 'More information' page covers how to provide results (not fetched).
Pearson's own rules on validity are in our PTE score validity guide. Compare tests in PTE Academic vs Core vs UKVI.
Confirm on the programme page before you book or apply
English requirements can differ by course, faculty and intake, and universities change them. These figures are what Canterbury's pages said when we checked on 13 October 2026. A requirement that is not on this page may still exist for your course. The official pages we used:
- English language requirements (canterbury.ac.nz)
Independent study site, not affiliated with University of Canterbury or Pearson. See how we check requirements.
Other universities in New Zealand
- University of AucklandFrom 50 overall (Bachelor's) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- University of OtagoFrom 50 overall (Bachelor's) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- Auckland University of TechnologyFrom 42 overall (Diploma) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- University of WaikatoFrom 42 overall (Foundation) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- Massey UniversityFrom 38 overall (Foundation) · checked 13 Oct 2026
Visa and route guides for New Zealand
The university score and the visa score are separate requirements. These guides cover the visa side.