Course details

New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic)
NZQF Level 5

About the course

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

  • Understand extended, complex oral academic texts on a wide range of topics.
  • Participate flexibly and effectively in extended spoken academic discourse on a wide range of topics.
  • Understand extended, complex written academic texts on a wide range of topics.
  • Write well structured, sophisticated, extended academic texts on a wide range of topics.
Entry requirements

Academic requirements including English language requirements

For the NZCEL at level 5 the entry requirement is the preceding NZCEL at level 4 (General, Employment or Academic), or the demonstration of equivalent English language knowledge and skills.

Demonstration of equivalent knowledge and skills can be either through:

  • Alternative English proficiency outcomes such as IELTS results, Cambridge University ESOL exam results, TOEFL test results or test results from the common European framework are acceptable. Refer to NZQA English proficiency outcomes (rule 18) and The Table(external link) .
  • A placement test will be used to identify the programme into which the student will be eligible for entry. This test will be able to be undertaken by applicants overseas where required through the use of suitable technology. A follow-up test will be undertaken once the student arrives in New Zealand to ensure the student is placed in the correct programme.

Online Offshore Programmes

IELTS overall 6.0 or equivalent or having successfully completed NZCEL Level 4 (Academic).

English language pathways

Download the Education Pathways diagram. [PDF, 382 KB]

(Page 9 of the Programme Regulations: New Zealand Certificate in English Language) Version 18/1/00, Effective 3 December 2018.)

Entry requirements

Academic requirements including English language requirements

For the NZCEL at level 5 the entry requirement is the preceding NZCEL at level 4 (General, Employment or Academic), or the demonstration of equivalent English language knowledge and skills.

Demonstration of equivalent knowledge and skills can be either through:

  • Alternative English proficiency outcomes such as IELTS results, Cambridge University ESOL exam results, TOEFL test results or test results from the common European framework are acceptable. Refer to NZQA English proficiency outcomes (rule 18) and The Table(external link) .
  • A placement test will be used to identify the programme into which the student will be eligible for entry. This test will be able to be undertaken by applicants overseas where required through the use of suitable technology. A follow-up test will be undertaken once the student arrives in New Zealand to ensure the student is placed in the correct programme.

Online Offshore Programmes

IELTS overall 6.0 or equivalent or having successfully completed NZCEL Level 4 (Academic).

About the provider

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) is a Government Institute with campuses in Nelson and Marlborough. 

NMIT is a New Zealand Qualifications Authority Category 1 (the highest) Institute. Our programmes are designed alongside industry to create work-ready graduates that meet local and international job market needs. 

You'll find NMIT tutors care a lot about student success, and classes are small enough that they know you by name.

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