Program

• English

  IELTS preparation courses Our experienced teachers will help you develop the skills and techniques needed to prepare for each module of the globally recognised IELTS test. With expert guidance and support, the IELTS preparation course will improve all aspects of your English language and give you the confidence to do your best in the IELTS test. The English Language Centre offers part-time IELTS preparation courses for students at intermediate level or above (4.5 IELTS +) consisting of 5 hours per week on campus. These courses can be combined with General English or English for Academic Purposes for full-time students. This course is not offered online. Details about the course How long is the course? The classes run throughout the year and students can start on most Mondays for a minimum of 4 weeks. Who is it for? Anyone who is currently at a minimum 4.5 in IELTS or equivalent and wants to improve their understanding of and performance in IELTS. When does it run? 1-hour classes Monday to Friday with the expectation of around 3 hours per week of self-directed study. When does it start? Contact our admissions team to find a start date that works for you. What does it cost? NZ$189 per week. Class numbers The course may not run if there are fewer than eight students.

• English

  The English for Otago ( EFO ) programme is a pathway option for students who meet the academic entry requirements but do not meet the English entry requirements for undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University of Otago. Specifically, this programme helps prospective students who are missing 0.5 IELTS (or equivalent) to meet Otago's English language requirements. Admission to English for Otago Students with a conditional offer of place from the University of Otago for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme are eligible to study EFO . Upon successful completion of EFO , students progress into their planned university programme without needing to re-sit IELTS *. * EFO is equivalent to an overall academic band of 6.0 for undergraduate programmes and an overall academic band of 6.5 for postgraduate programmes. There are a few programmes that require a higher IELTS , for example Social Work and Teaching. Students who wish to apply for these programmes are not able to take EFO but can apply to the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme and sit an IELTS . English for Otago entry requirements You are required to provide evidence that you meet the English proficiency level before the EFO programme starts. This can be done either with an accepted English proficiency test score listed in the table below, or by sitting the EFO entrance exam. EFO Entrance Exam If you do not have evidence of minimum English proficiency, you can sit the EFO entrance exam. The EFO entrance exam is free but is only open to students with an offer of place at Otago. Required results from the EFO entrance exam are: EFO Undergraduate Minimum 55/100 EFO Postgraduate Minimum 60/100 Accepted English proficiency tests and scores for English for Otago Undergraduate programme Test Entrance requirement IELTS 5.5 (no band below 5.0) IELTS Online is also accepted. TOEFL iBT 70 (writing 15) Paper-based TOEFL 525 (TWE 4.0) Computer-based TOEFL 193 (essay rating 4.0) GCE O-Level English Grade C6 HKDSE English Level 2 HK ALE Use of English Grade D7 LanguageCert B2 SPM Bahasa Inggris Grade 4 Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE (Academic) score of 42 with no band score lower than 36. English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 1 NZCEL NZCEL 3 Academic endorsement Duolingo 95 (with no subscore less than 80) Postgraduate programme Test Entrance requirement IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) IELTS Online is also accepted. TOEFL iBT 80 (writing 20) Paper-based TOEFL 550 (TWE 4.5) Computer-based TOEFL 213 (essay rating 4.5) Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) Grade B Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) Grade C HKDSE Level 4 APIEL (Advanced Placement International English Language) Examination Grade 3 GCE A-Level General Paper (English) Grade C or higher International Baccalaureate LanguageCert C1 Pearson Test of English (Academic) PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42. English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 2 NZCEL NZCEL 4 Academic endorsement Duolingo 105 (no subscore less than 95) Study load and assessment EFO is a 12-week full-time course (23 hours per week). Assessment is continuous throughout the course. English requirements for the University of Otago Students who successfully complete the English for Otago programme with a minimum grade of 'C' meet the English language requirements for admission to most undergraduate or postgraduate programmes at the University of Otago.

• English

  English for Academic Purposes (EAP) The aim of this course is to help students become confident in using the conventions of academic English as required for tertiary study and to develop the skills needed for independent learning. For full-time students, classes are combined with IELTS preparation classes for 23 hours of study per week. Classes are on campus only. The course content includes essay-writing listening to lectures and taking notes review of grammar and sentence structure development of academic vocabulary extensive critical reading research and referencing skills paraphrasing, summarising and quoting seminar presentations group discussions IELTS preparation classes Placement test, levels, study load and assessment Placement test Minimum entry levels apply. Placement will depend on level assessment. Levels available Upper-intermediate to advanced Study load Full-time – 23 hours per week Minimum study period 4 weeks Assessment Assessment is continous throughout the course Optional classes Test skills – elementary and pre-intermediate levels IELTS preparation – intermediate to advanced levels

• English

  General English & New Zealand Culture & Customs - Online Programme This programme is designed specifically for off-shore international students, and provides an opportunity for students to improve their English skills, whilst also learning about New Zealand culture and customs. New Zealand Culture and Customs enables you to gain a real New Zealand or 'Kiwi' experience while studying online from your home country, to better prepare you for life in New Zealand when you can join us. Programme overview 20 hours per week, including: 15 hours of General English study 5 hours study focusing on New Zealand culture and history The daily timetable will be in the afternoons (New Zealand time) with the proposed schedule of: 1-2pm: New Zealand culture sessions 3-6pm: General English classes Note: the timetable can be adjusted to accommodate different time zones. Minimum enrolment: 4 weeks Eligible students Only institutions or groups are eligible to apply for this programme. Price General English and New Zealand Culture and Customs full programme: $399 per week. General English (15 hours per week): $349. Culture and Customs component only: $189 per week.

• English

  Group packages Short-term English study programmes Options include: A combination of English, tourism and special interest activities. Intensive English - a full-time programme of English tailored to meet your group's English requirements. English for Specific Purposes: e.g. business, medicine, journalism, and other professional fields. All programmes have an orientation component. The standard programme for groups includes General English and activities outside the classroom. Students may be integrated into usual classes, work in their groups on a specially designed programme, or experience a mixture of both. Programmes are available to meet special needs, for example English for Teachers and Business English. A choice of two programmes 1. An integrated programme This means that your group is included as part of the usual programme, with other students from all over the world. Tuition from Monday to Friday 4 to 5 hours per day 23 hours per week for the number of weeks required Each week there is an additional activity available outside class time. Students are encouraged to take part in these activities Access is provided outside class time to the Independent Learning Centre and the Language Laboratory. 2. A special group programme This means that your group may have either: a General English class in the morning and special activities in the afternoon or a day of tuition followed by a day of special activities or A combination of an integrated programme and a specific group programme The content would include elements of the integrated programme plus an activities programme as chosen by the client.

• English

  International English Language Testing System (IELTS) information What is IELTS? IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS registration checklist Please note that an application is NOT complete unless it includes: A copy of your current passport Payment of NZ$475* * Exam fees are subject to change. Before the IELTS test Approximately one week before the IELTS test, you will receive an email with details of your test day schedule, what to bring to the test, and how to get to the test venue. You MUST bring your original, current passport. NO other form of identification will be accepted. Therefore, please plan ahead when choosing your test date and sending your passport to immigration for visa purposes. Test timetable 2025 Saturday, 25 January 2025 (Academic Module only) Saturday, 22 February 2025 Saturday, 22 March 2025 Saturday, 26 April 2025 Saturday, 24 May 2025 Saturday, 21 June 2025 Saturday, 5 July 2025 Saturday, 26 July 2025 Saturday, 23 August 2025 Saturday, 13 September 2025 Saturday, 27 September 2025 Saturday, 18 October 2025 Saturday, 22 November 2025 Saturday, 6 December 2025 IELTS cancellation/transfer policy If you need to cancel your test more than 14 days before the test, you will receive a full refund. If you need to cancel your test 7-13 days before the test, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel your test less than 7 days before the test, no refund applies. You may change your test date or module only once, free of charge, any time up until the test date. If you are sick or have other extenuating circumstances on the day of the test and cannot sit the test, you may be eligible for a free transfer or full refund, please contact the IELTS Administrator. Note: You may be asked to provide documentation which verifies your circumstances. This must be done at the latest five calendar days after the test date for a refund or transfer.

• English

  General English – studying on campus Our General English classes are available on campus in Dunedin. General English classes are an effective way to improve your English skills and confidence, or to prepare for the Foundation Studies Certificate if you have met the academic requirements but not the English language requirements for Foundation Studies at Otago. Classes are offered in five levels of English, from elementary to advanced. All students complete a placement test, so that you are placed in the best class for your current language level. There are 23 hours of study each week for on campus students. Class sizes are kept small with a maximum of 18 students. Continuous assessment throughout the course ensures that you are meeting your language learning goals. General English – studying online Student groups who are not in New Zealand can study General English online at the University of Otago by prior arrangement. Each week there will be 15 hours of tuition and all classes will be delivered 'live' online by teachers, so a reliable, fast internet connection and a good computer with a webcam and microphone is required. Key advantages of the online programme for offshore student groups: Learn in a live virtual classroom from your home country Interact directly with teachers in New Zealand using the University of Otago's online platforms Save money with no travel, visa or accommodation costs