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

Locations and dates

Nelson:

16 February 2026

20 July 2026
Length

16 teaching weeks plus 2 weeks of study break
Total credits

60
Fees

2026: $3,440 plus $175 Student Services Fee

A Student Service Fee applies (2025; $2.17 per credit).

Fees listed are for each year of the programme, indicative only and may vary with course selection.

View course details for individual fees.

N.B. The 2026 SSF final fee is currently subject to consultation with learners.
National qualification code

NZ1884

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

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