Popular polytechnic courses and their IELTS requirements

Are you interested in using your IELTS score to learn a new profession? Perhaps you want to study without the stress of university. A polytechnic course is a fantastic hands-on option for people looking to jump straight into a rewarding career. They’re focused on practical skills so students are ready to enter the workplace from the moment they graduate.

While universities offer degrees and postgraduate courses, polytechnics offer a wider variety of Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualifications, including certificates, diplomas, degrees, and in some cases postgraduate degrees as well.

Alongside a broader range of levels, polytechnics also provide their students with a hands-on learning experience by including practical training in their courses. This is in part because polytechnics have a strong “learning by doing” culture.

There are 16 different polytechnic institutions in New Zealand, and each offer a range of different courses across many different industries.

Want to learn more? Here are New Zealand’s top 5 industries, examples of polytechnic courses and career paths, and their standard IELTS entry requirements. 

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Travel, tourism, and hospitality are one of New Zealand’s biggest economic sectors. As the country begins recovering from the pandemic, more and more hospitality staff are needed to meet the new demand.

Because hospitality is such a broad sector, there are many different ways to enter the industry. Not only that, but customer service experience is a highly-valued skill that will help advance your career no matter which path you choose.

IELTS requirements

A minimum IELTS score of band 6.0* with no score lower than band 5.5 *Contact the course provider directly to confirm the IELTS requirements for the course you’re interested in. 

Career opportunities

• executive chef

• resort manager

• travel agent

• hotel general manager

• sommelier

• event coordinator

• concierge

• flight attendant

• tour guide

• cruise consultant

Explore travel, tourism, and hospitality courses

If art is your passion, New Zealand is a wonderful place to live and work. From Wellington’s impressive murals, to the Hundertwasser Arts Center in Whangarei, there is no end to inspiration and creativity available.

Be part of the next wave of film-makers or game developers, unleash your imagination as a fashion designer, or build your career in the music industry. You can work with businesses to help boost their brands, or government organisations to create art in public spaces, or even people who are looking to create unique art pieces for their homes.

IELTS requirements

A minimum IELTS score of band 5.5* with no score lower than band 5.0 *Contact the course provider directly to confirm the IELTS requirements for the course you’re interested in. 

Career opportunities

• animator

• writing

• graphic design

• film making

• architecture

• fashion design

• photography

• crafting

• make-up artistry

• video game developing

Explore creative art and design courses

For students looking to enter the business world, business and administrative VET courses are an excellent starting point. New Zealand polytechnic courses span the range of business professions, from Human Resources to Marketing, from Accounting to Project Management.

Whether you want to work in a fast-paced startup, or an established company, a polytechnic course with good industry opportunities is a brilliant way to build experience and begin networking.

IELTS requirements

A minimum IELTS score of band 6.5* with no score lower than band 6.0 *Contact the course provider directly to confirm the IELTS requirements for the course you’re interested in. 

Career opportunities

• financial advisor

• bank manager

• bookkeeper

• project manager

• marketing manager

• statistician

• stockbroker

• economist

• sales manager

• human resources professional

Explore business and administrative courses

Health and medicine is one of the few sectors that will always have job opportunities. No matter what is happening in other industries, good, skilled health professionals are always in high demand.

Becoming a nurse, for example, will make it easier to gain permanent residency in New Zealand. Nursing is one of the occupations on the New Zealand Government’s Green List for fast-tracking applications.

IELTS requirements

A minimum IELTS score of band 6.5* with no score lower than band 6.5 *Contact the course provider directly to confirm the IELTS requirements for the course you’re interested in. 

Career opportunities

• midwife

• exercise physiologist

• doctor

• medical researcher

• dentist

• pharmacist

• psychologist

• medical scientist

• speech pathologist

• occupational therapist

Explore health and medicine courses

As New Zealand looks to the future, construction and infrastructure become more and more important. The construction industry is one that is growing fast, and highly skilled people are in high demand.

Taking a construction course in New Zealand will help you make a difference in the country. You’ll be able to use your education and experience to help create a better, more sustainable future through housing, urban development, and infrastructure projects

IELTS requirements

A minimum IELTS score of band 6.5* with no score lower than band 6.5 *Contact the course provider directly to confirm the IELTS requirements for the course you’re interested in. 

Career opportunities

• roofer

• construction engineer

• architect

• glazier

• foreman

• bricklayer

• industrial mechanic

• technician

• plumber

• solar installer

Explore construction courses

University isn’t the right path for everyone. While some people love the traditional higher-education space, others work better by spending more time learning by experience in a practical setting. If you are one of these people, there may be a polytechnic course that matches your interests. 

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