PTE score for University of Waikato
University of Waikato asks for a PTE Academic score of 42 overall (no skill below 36) for foundation programmes, 42 to 50 overall for diploma programmes (depending on the course), 50 overall (no skill below 42) for bachelor's degrees, 58 overall (no skill below 50) for master's degrees and 56 to 69 overall for specific programmes such as Initial Teacher Education (BTchg, GradDipTchg, PGDipTchg) and MTchgLn and Law (LLB). 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
- 10 sourced requirements
- Hamilton, New Zealand
Waikato 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoundationAdmission to CertAttainFoundSt (Certificate of Attainment in Foundation Studies) | 42 | 36 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| DiplomaAdmission to International Diploma | 42 | 36 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| DiplomaAdmission to Diploma in Postgraduate Preparation (Pre-Masters), and Graduate Certificate in Postgraduate Preparation | 50 | 42 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Bachelor'sAll undergraduate qualifications, graduate certificates and graduate diplomas except LLB, BNurs, Initial Teacher Education and other stated exceptionsPage specifies PTE Academic (in-person); the online Pearson PTE test is stated as not accepted for some programmes. | 50 | 42 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Master'sOther graduate and all postgraduate programmes including higher degrees (generally recommended; some qualifications such as LLD and SJD need higher)Page says requirements for particular qualifications are at the discretion of the relevant Pro Vice-Chancellor or Dean. | 58 | 50 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Initial Teacher Education (BTchg, GradDipTchg, PGDipTchg) and MTchgLnAdmission to all ITE programmes and MTchgLnOverall and per-skill minimums both published. | 69 | - | 61 | 62 | 79 | 73 | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Law (LLB)Admission to LLB | 56 | 46 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Master of Professional Social Work (MPSOCS)Admission to MPSOCSScores may be achieved over more than one sitting within 12 months; online Pearson PTE excluded. | 65 | 58 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| MClinPrac (Midwifery), MNursPrac, MPharmPracAdmission to MClinPrac(Midwifery), MNursPrac, MPharmPracScores may be achieved over more than one sitting within 12 months; online Pearson PTE excluded. | 65 | 58 | - | - | - | - | waikato.ac.nzread 13 Oct 2026 |
| Nursing (BNurs)Admission to BNursPage states minimum scores may be achieved over more than one sitting within 12 months of the first sitting, and that the online Pearson PTE test is excluded. | 58 | 50 | - | - | - | - | waikato.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)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 42 and no communicative skills score below 36”
From waikato.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)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 42 and no communicative skills score below 36”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Diploma (50 overall, no skill below 42)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 50 with no communicative skills score below 42”
From waikato.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)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 50 with no communicative skills score below 42”
From waikato.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)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50, or”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Initial Teacher Education (BTchg, GradDipTchg, PGDipTchg) and MTchgLn (69 overall, Listening 61, Reading 62, Speaking 79, Writing 73)
“overall score of 69, including minimum scores of 61 in Listening, 62 in Reading, 73 in Writing, and 79 in Speaking;”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Law (LLB) (56 overall, no skill below 46)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 56 with no band less than 46.”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Master of Professional Social Work (MPSOCS) (65 overall, no skill below 58)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 65 with no band less than 58;”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: MClinPrac (Midwifery), MNursPrac, MPharmPrac (65 overall, no skill below 58)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 65 with no band less than 58;”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026. If the live page now says something different, the live page wins.
Evidence: Nursing (BNurs) (58 overall, no skill below 50)
“a PTE Academic (in-person) overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50;”
From waikato.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 Waikato'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 Waikato rows you meet.
Comparing several universities? Use the eligibility checker.
Waivers and English pathways
Ways Waikato says you may not need to submit a PTE score, or may reach the requirement another way.
Applicants who gained University Entrance through NCEA need not provide further English language evidence.
Official wording
“Applicants who have achieved University Entrance through NCEA are not required to provide further evidence of English language proficiency.”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026.
Minimum scores for BNurs, MPSOCS and clinical practice programmes can be achieved over more than one sitting within 12 months of the first sitting.
Official wording
“Applicants can achieve the minimum score in these tests over more than one sitting and within 12 months of the first sitting.”
From waikato.ac.nz, read on 13 Oct 2026.
Good to know before you apply
- PTE Academic requirements are given for in-person tests; the online Pearson PTE test is excluded for some programmes.
- Teaching programmes state a per-skill profile (Listening 61, Reading 62, Writing 73, Speaking 79) with overall 69.
What to practise for Waikato
The highest single-skill minimum on this page is 79 in Speaking, set by the Initial Teacher Education (BTchg, GradDipTchg, PGDipTchg) and MTchgLn 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 accepted |
Page lists PTE Academic (in-person) in each table; ITE row says computer-based Academic PTE and says computer-based tests at an approved testing centre are accepted except the online Pearson PTE test (stated for BNurs, MPSOCS and clinical practice programmes). No validity period or score-sending method found on this page. PTE Core and UKVI not mentioned.
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 Waikato'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 for Admission (Academic Calendar) (waikato.ac.nz)
Independent study site, not affiliated with University of Waikato or Pearson. See how we check requirements.
Other universities in New Zealand
- Auckland University of TechnologyFrom 42 overall (Diploma) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- Massey UniversityFrom 38 overall (Foundation) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- University of CanterburyFrom 42 overall (Foundation) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- University of AucklandFrom 50 overall (Bachelor's) · checked 13 Oct 2026
- University of OtagoFrom 50 overall (Bachelor's) · 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.