About the course

Improve your English within a supportive academic environment—we can help you meet your undergraduate or postgraduate entry requirements.

Improve your English

Proficiency in English is your key to academic success. Let us prepare you.

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme will develop your English language and academic skills for study at university. We offer 12-week courses in every trimester—this includes orientation, testing, and 10 weeks of teaching. There are two courses:

EAP for undergraduate and postgraduate study
EAP for postgraduate study (advanced).

EAP for undergraduate and postgraduate study

EAP is offered face-to-face on our Wellington campus. If there is sufficient demand, EAP will be offered online. Each EAP course covers different material, so you can attend one or more courses. The length of your study will depend on your English ability and your university study goals.

EAP will help you improve your academic reading, writing, speaking, and listening. You will develop a wide range of critical- and creative-thinking skills and learning strategies. These skills and strategies will prepare you for further study at foundation, undergraduate, or postgraduate level.

To study EAP, you need to have a pre-intermediate level of English or higher. You can provide an international English language test result, or we will assess your level before the course begins.

EAP students who meet the University’s minimum English-language entry score will be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency in English (CertEngProf). For postgraduate-level study, a higher level of achievement is required.

EAP for postgraduate study (advanced)

If you are aiming for postgraduate study and your English level is high enough, you’ll be invited to join this class.

Qualifying for further study

If you successfully finish the EAP programme, the qualification you get is called the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CertEnglProf). Getting this certificate means you can then go on to pursue further study at this university. This can be either undergraduate or postgraduate study, depending on your scores in the EAP programme.

Application deadlines

You can apply to study at Victoria University of Wellington at any time. We recommend you apply at least eight weeks before the start date, to make sure you have time to apply for a student visa and accommodation before you travel to New Zealand. If you apply later than the deadline, we will consider your application on a case-by-case basis.

Trimester 1 (course starting 18 February): application deadline 15 December
Trimester 2 (course starting 17 June): application deadline 1 May
Trimester 3 (course starting 25 September): application deadline 1 September.

Domestic students, and international students already based in New Zealand, can apply after these deadlines on a case-by-case basis.

Learn from the best

The English Language Institute has been teaching students from more than 120 countries for over 60 years. Learn from highly qualified teaching staff with professional experience in working with students from all over the world—the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

A great place to study

Learn in a vibrant university setting and enjoy the diverse community of international students and experienced lecturers.

All students have access to the learning resources available through the Language Learning Centre website.

Achieve your goals

The staff at the English Language Institute will work with you to provide a course of study that meets your personal goals. Your teachers will monitor and discuss your progress with you throughout the course.

Through coursework and independent learning, you’ll improve your ability to participate in academic discussion and read, write, and listen effectively for academic purposes. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the vocabulary and grammatical structures in both written and spoken English. And you’ll be able to read and listen to complex information.

The first three days of the course

Over three days, you must take part in tests, needs analysis, and a programme orientation.

English tests and needs analysis

You’ll sit English tests and complete a range of tasks, so we can gather information about your language level and needs. This includes vocabulary, reading, grammar, listening, writing, speaking, and surveys.

Programme orientation

You’ll get access to the University’s online learning environment, which is called Nuku. You can also check out language learning resources and be introduced to core components of the English programme. Check your orientation and start dates.

Workload and duration

The EAP is a full-time, 12-week course including 10 weeks of teaching, orientation, and testing. You can expect a workload of 40–50 hours per week. This includes scheduled classes from Monday to Friday and independent study. Find out more about studying online and the expected workload.

Keep on learning

At the end of your programme, you can choose to continue your learning with Foundation Studies or undergraduate or postgraduate study. Give your career options a boost and choose from a range of programmes offered by Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

Wellington is a compact and diverse capital city. It hosts more than 40 embassies and consulates, contributing to a vibrant cultural scene. There’s always something going on, and it’s easy to get around, so you’ll have the opportunity to experience something new every day.

Fees-free funding for refugee-background students

A limited number of government-funded English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are available for refugee-background students who meet the selection criteria.

Video

Entry requirements

Domestic entry requirements

To enter EAP in person, you will need a pre-intermediate level of English or above, equivalent to at least Duolingo 70, TOEFL iBT 34, or IELTS band 4.5 or higher.

To enter EAP online, you will need an intermediate level of English or above, equivalent to at least Duolingo 80, TOEFL iBT 46, or IELTS band 5.0 (with a maximum of one skill below 5.0 and no skill below 4.5).

To enter EAP for postgraduate study (advanced), you will need the equivalent of Duolingo 105, TOEFL iBT 80, or IELTS band 6.0 (with a maximum of one skill below 6 and no skill below 5.5).

International entry requirements

To enter EAP in person, you will need a pre-intermediate level of English or above, equivalent to at least Duolingo 70, TOEFL iBT 34, or IELTS band 4.5 or higher. To enter EAP online, you will need an intermediate level of English or above, equivalent to at least Duolingo 80, TOEFL iBT 46, or IELTS band 5.0 (with a maximum of one skill below 5.0 and no skill below 4.5). To enter EAP for postgraduate study (advanced), you will need the equivalent of Duolingo 105, TOEFL iBT 80, or IELTS band 6.0 (with a maximum of one skill below 6 and no skill below 5.5).

About the provider

Victoria University of Wellington, full name Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, was founded in 1897 and is one of New Zealand’s largest and most prestigious universities. The University is located in the heart of New Zealand’s vibrant capital city and its three city campuses are all within easy walking distance of one another, as well as local attractions, shopping districts, and cafés.

The University’s central location gives students access to a variety of national organisations in the areas of business, government, politics, culture and heritage, the arts and filmmaking industry, as well as the science and technology communities. Wellington is a compact city where students can easily explore nature trails, beaches, galleries, museums, and events. It is multicultural, safe, friendly, and has a reputation for great food and coffee—it regularly ranks as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

Victoria University of Wellington at a glance

Top 1% of the world's universities for research quality and teaching
170+ subjects
20 undergraduate programmes and 180 postgraduate programmes
40+ research institutes and 4 libraries
3,000 of our 17,000 students are international students, from 120+ countries
130+ clubs and societies
5+ stars from the latest QS Stars Rating of Excellence
#1 in New Zealand for research intensity (in the latest assessment of the Performance-Based Research Fund)
Wellington School of Business and Government is one of an elite group of commerce faculties worldwide that hold the Triple Crown of international accreditations of EQUIS, AACSB, and AMBA
Top 2% of the world’s universities (QS World University Rankings 2026)
Top 100 in the world in 7 subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025)

Graduate outcomes*

Of the graduates who responded that they are currently working full time, 91% were employed prior to or within 6 months of degree completion.
67% were in full-time employment.

*Based on those who completed the 2023–2024 Graduate Destinations Survey.

Entry requirements

To study at Victoria University of Wellington, international students need:

a good command of the English language
a good record of academic achievement.

Entry requirements are provided under each programme. The University considers each student’s academic and English-language background when assessing applications. If a student doesn’t meet entry requirements, our team can help them meet their study goals.

If a student doesn’t meet the entry requirements for:

English language - Students can apply for our English for Academic Purposes programme
Undergraduate study - Students can apply for our Foundation Studies programme
Postgraduate study - Students can talk to us to help build a pathway to their degree

Student support

The University offers complete support for students through a range of wellbeing and learning services. These include a specialised international team that is dedicated to supporting students during their studies, which helps international students meet new friends and settle into university and Wellington life.

Some of the support services include:

dedicated international student orientation and events
a free arrival meeting service at the airport
the International Buddy Programme, where you get paired with a ‘buddy’ from the get-go

Students can make the most of the many opportunities to get involved in different communities, embrace new experiences, and develop skills for their future careers. The university encourages all students to develop strong global citizenship skills through their studies and extracurricular programmes such as the Kitea Impact Programme, which is also free to join.