New Zealand — Dunedin
PTE score for University of Otago
University of Otago accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 58 overall for undergraduate and 58 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums on both.
Last verified 2026-06-19. Source: Language Requirements — University of Otago
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
58
overall minimum
University minimum: overall 58 with no communicative skills score below 50. Some programmes may have higher requirements — check programme-specific details.
Postgraduate
58
overall minimum
Same university minimum as UG. Higher requirements apply for programmes such as Teaching, Public Health, and clinical Dentistry.
Visa note: Immigration New Zealand does not mandate a specific PTE score for student visas; the university's offer of place is the primary evidence.
Requirements are set by University of Otago and can change. Always verify at the Language Requirements — University of Otago before applying.
PTE requirements by program and faculty
University of Otago sets different PTE score thresholds depending on your program. The table below lists the most common bands — always confirm the exact requirement for your intended course.
| Band / Level | Overall | Each skill | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Minimum | 58 | 50+ | Most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes |
| Higher (select programmes) | 65 | 58+ | Teaching, Public Health, clinical Dentistry — verify with faculty |
To find the exact PTE requirement for your specific degree, use the Qualifications and programmes — University of Otago and select your intended program.
What if your score is below the requirement?
A PTE score that is 2 to 5 points below the requirement is almost always a single-skill problem. One weak skill — commonly Writing or Speaking — pulls the overall score below the threshold while the other three are already sufficient.
The fastest path to closing that gap is identifying which skill is the bottleneck, then drilling it specifically. A free 10-minute diagnostic on this site identifies your weakest skill from your response patterns — no guessing, no wasted prep time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand accepts PTE Academic as proof of English proficiency for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The minimum requirement for most undergraduate programs is 58 overall with no skill below 50, and for postgraduate programs 58 overall with no skill below 50.
For undergraduate entry at University of Otago, you generally need a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with no skill below 50. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 58 overall with no skill below 50. Same university minimum as UG. Higher requirements apply for programmes such as Teaching, Public Health, and clinical Dentistry. Always confirm with University of Otago directly, as individual faculties and programs can set higher requirements.
Most masters and graduate coursework programs at University of Otago require a PTE Academic overall score of 58 with per-skill minimums of Listening 50, Reading 50, Writing 50 and Speaking 50. Same university minimum as UG. Higher requirements apply for programmes such as Teaching, Public Health, and clinical Dentistry.
Immigration New Zealand does not mandate a specific PTE score for student visas; the university's offer of place is the primary evidence.
If your current PTE score is below the University of Otago requirement, there are two realistic paths. First, resit PTE Academic after targeted preparation focusing on your weakest skill (one low skill can pull your overall score significantly below the threshold). Second, check whether University of Otago offers a conditional admission pathway through an English language pathway program, which allows entry at a lower score followed by an on-campus English course before your degree starts. The free diagnostic on this site identifies exactly which skill is holding your score back.
University of Otago accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS. The tests measure the same skills but in different formats. PTE Academic is fully computer-delivered and AI-scored, which removes examiner variability from Speaking and Writing. Many candidates who find the IELTS Speaking interview stressful prefer PTE's recorded format. The best test for you depends on your strengths — try a free PTE mock to see where you stand.
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