IELTS One Skill Retake now accepted at all New Zealand Universities!

For international students, New Zealand offers not just education but a world of opportunities with its cultural diversity and academic excellence. However, to start your studies, you may need to meet the English requirement, typically through IELTS scores.

A recent development has made this pathway more accessible:

100% of New Zealand universities accept IELTS One Skill Retake!

IELTS is the only major test to offer One Skill Retake. And with IELTS One Skill Retake, you can retake one section of the test, giving you a unique opportunity to improve your score.

Let’s explore why IELTS is the best choice for your academic future in New Zealand and how the One Skill Retake can help you.

Book your IELTS test now

Recognised worldwide by more than 12,500 organisations worldwide, IELTS is the top choice for students aspiring to study and work in New Zealand. Its fairness and comprehensive assessment make it trusted by many educational institutions as a measure of English proficiency.

With IELTS One Skill Retake, students aiming to study in New Zealand now get a unique opportunity to improve their scores. You can feel confident going into your IELTS test knowing that you can retake any one component of the test without having to take a full test.

Find organisations that accept IELTS One Skill Retake

Teariki from New Zealand -- took IELTS to study at AUT

IELTS One Skill Retake isn’t just about getting another opportunity. It’s also about giving you a focused and strategic way to improve English skills where you need it most. Whether it's in Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking, it allows you to target your efforts and study, saving both time and resources.

• Focus where it counts:
  IELTS One Skill Retake lets you focus on the skill you need to improve, making your preparation time more efficient.

• Ease the pressure:
  You’re no longer facing the daunting task of retaking the entire test all over again -- just the section you need to improve.

• Cost-effective:
  It's a financially beneficial option, as you're only investing in retaking one part of the test, instead of paying for another full test.

• Smooth experience:
  Technology aided by human intervention makes us the world's most trusted English proficiency test.

Success with IELTS One Skill Retake starts with a good study strategy. Focus on the skill you’re retaking. Use practice tests, seek expert feedback, and create a targeted study plan. Remember, this is about enhancing your strengths and turning your weaknesses into opportunities for growth and learning.

Check out our online IELTS test preparation materials and our download our IELTS Preparation Guide for extra peace of mind and support to secure your desired band scores. You can also check out the IELTS by IDP app. It’s an all-in-one app that allows you to book, prepare, and check your IELTS scores; it’s an excellent preparation tool as you can take quizzes, watch and listen to IELTS video podcasts, and access app-exclusive preparation courses.

Students from around the world have benefited from IELTS One Skill Retake, which allowed them to pursue their dreams. Booking IELTS One Skill Retake is simple and you can also read the 5 tips to help you stay on track.

You are eligible to take IELTS One Skill Retake if:

• You have sat a full IELTS on computer test, at an eligible test centre that offers IELTS One Skill Retake.

• You sit your One Skill Retake within 60 days of your full IELTS test

• You must have access to your results on your IELTS account

• You retake only one section, per one full IELTS test. For example, you might wish to retake Listening; but you can’t retake both Listening and Speaking.

After you have completed your IELTS One Skill Retake, you will receive a new Test Report Form (TRF) which outlines the updated band score for the module you have retaken. It also shows the results for the other three skills in the original test.

IELTS One Skill Retake results

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted by Immigration New Zealand, for visa and migration purposes, such as student visa. Always make sure to check the website of the organisation you intend to apply to for more information about eligibility requirements.

Globally, the governments of Australia, Canada, and the UK, as well as most universities across Australia accept IELTS One Skill Retake. For those who already hold a valid TRF with One Skill Retake, you may also be able to use it for visa applications and university entry in New Zealand and beyond. 

Teaching

To become a teacher in New Zealand, you must register with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (TCANZ) and hold a current practicing certificate.

Studying to be a teacher in New Zealand

You can apply to complete an Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme in New Zealand.

The TCANZ website has a list of all approved ITE programmes or courses leading to Teacher Registration in New Zealand. These courses include everything from graduate diplomas to complete doctorates and cover all levels of education from early childhood to high school.

Some of these providers and courses include:

• Auckland University of Technology - Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Teaching)

• University of Auckland - Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood Education

• University of Waikato - Bachelor of Teaching (ECE)

• University of Canterbury - Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)

IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted in the universities listed above.

After completion of your ITE programme, you can follow the next steps for registration and application for a practicing certificate in the TCANZ website.

Overseas trained teachers applying for registration

Overseas trained teachers, who gained their teaching qualification outside of New Zealand, will also have to provide evidence of their competency in either English or te reo Māori.

TCANZ will accept the IELTS Academic test as proof of competency, as long as the test was completed in the two years before your application. You will need an overall band score of 7.0 and in all four skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

Submitting multiple IELTS test results

You can meet the English requirements by using results from more than one IELTS test where they show that you achieve or exceed the specified outcome in each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking). The Teaching Council will also accept any results from an IELTS One Skill Retake test. Read more here.

Nursing

To become a nurse in New Zealand, you must be registered through The Nursing Council of New Zealand. But for registration, you need to have a recognised New Zealand or overseas qualification. You also need to meet the English requirement for nurses.

Studying to be a nurse in New Zealand

Here are some of the undergraduate nursing degrees offered in New Zealand that accept One Skill Retake:

• University of Auckland - Bachelor of Nursing

• Auckland University of Technology - Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)

Overseas trained nurses applying for registration

If you're a qualified nurse from another country, your nursing qualification must be equivalent to a Bachelor of Nursing degree in New Zealand. Before you register, apply to The Credentials Verification Service for the Nursing Council of New Zealand (CVS-NCNZ) at CGFNS International, Inc.

The Nursing Council of New Zealand accepts the IELTS and some other tests. For IELTS, you must sit the IELTS Academic and achieve a minimum score of 7 in reading, listening, and speaking. You must achieve a minimum score of 6.5 in writing.

The minimum scores in the English language tests can be achieved over more than one sitting, however, all required scores must be met within 12 months of first sitting the test, and all sittings must be completed within three years of commencing your application.

What is NZQA Rule 22? English language requirements for international students

Sometimes when researching the English language requirements of certain courses, you may come across the term "NZQA Rule 22" or a link to the NZQA website.

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) sets the English language entry requirements for international students through Rule 22 of the NZQCF Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2022.

In 31 October 202, the NZQA has announced that One Skill Retake is accepted as meeting the English language proficiency requirements for international students.

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the New Zealand Immigration website for changes that may apply to you. If you are interested in New Zealand student visas, work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the New Zealand Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent. You can connect with our counsellors to get free advice for student visas.