Both TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language administered by Educational Testing Service in USA) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System administered by the British Council) are used extensively in New Zealand to determine entry to higher learning. Each university publishes annually a calendar which provides information (including detailed regulations) about course requirements, dates etc. Most New Zealand university calendars are available for consultation at New Zealand diplomatic posts. Also available from diplomatic posts are promotional materials published by all the universities specifically for international students. 

University:
All students must be fluent in the English language if they are to succeed at a university in New Zealand. The universities have specified minimum levels of competence (e.g. 6.0 in IELTS or 550 in TOEFL for most undergraduate degrees); details of any higher requirements for specific degrees may be obtained from individual universities. 

College:
The entry standard for the Diploma of Teaching (Primary and Early Childhood Education), for students under 20 years of age, is a New Zealand Sixth Form Certificate with a maximum of 20 marks in the best four subjects, including a maximum of five in English. Overseas students are expected to hold equivalent qualifications. No formal secondary school qualifications are required of applicants over 20, but evidence of relevant experience or capacity to engage in tertiary study is required. Entry to the Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) is restricted to graduates with at least a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent. The minimum English language standard required for entry to the Diploma of Education course is a score of 6.5 on IELTS. 

Polytechnic:
Qualifications are designed to allow students to enter and exit at different levels appropriate to their academic level and English language ability. 

Private Tertiary Sector:
The applicants should be qualified for entrance to tertiary education in New Zealand or in their home country. Each institute specifies the acceptable level of English required, as in an IELTS or TOEFL score, for the individual programs.  Details regarding the entrance criteria should be taken from the institutes the student is interested in pursuing the program. 

Secondary Schools:
Each secondary school sets its own entry criteria (academic and English language ability) for international students. For example, while some secondary schools require a reasonable standard of English ability prior to entering a course, others will accept international students with a lower level of English if they have the ability to provide the student with intensive English as a Second Language (ESL) assistance.  Students should contact the secondary school directly for information regarding specific entry requirements. Qualifications from countries such as Japan, Taiwan and others will be assessed on an individual basis by the secondary school concerned.