New Zealand · Dunedin
PTE score for University of Otago
University of Otago accepts PTE Academic for all international admissions. The standard requirement is 50 overall for undergraduate and 58 overall for postgraduate programs, with per-skill minimums too (see below).
Last verified 2026-10-14. Source: Language Requirements: University of Otago
PTE Academic score requirements
Undergraduate
50
overall minimum
Undergraduate requirement.
Postgraduate
58
overall minimum
Postgraduate requirement.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate minimum | 50 | 42+ | All undergraduate programmes |
| Postgraduate minimum | 58 | 50+ | All postgraduate programmes |
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 50 overall with no skill below 42, 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 50 with no skill below 42. For postgraduate (masters or graduate coursework) entry, the standard requirement is 58 overall with no skill below 50. Postgraduate requirement. 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 no skill below 50. Postgraduate requirement.
Immigration New Zealand does not mandate a specific PTE score for student visas; the university's offer of place is the primary evidence.
It depends on the course, because University of Otago sets its PTE bar by program. Its lowest listed band is 50 overall (All undergraduate programmes) and its highest is 58 overall (All postgraduate programmes). So a score below one course's bar can still meet another's. If you are below the band for the course you want, either resit PTE Academic after work on your weakest skill, since one low skill can pull your overall down (and fail any per-skill minimum), or ask University of Otago whether it offers an English pathway program. Check the band for your exact course on University of Otago's English language requirements page.
Neither is easier in general: University of Otago accepts both PTE Academic and IELTS, and what matters is clearing its number for your course, for example 50 overall (no skill below 42) for most undergraduate programs and 58 overall (no skill below 50) for most postgraduate ones. PTE Academic is computer-delivered and scored by AI, and since August 2025 a human expert also reviews the content of seven task types; IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview. If a recorded format suits you better than an interview, PTE may be the easier fit. A free PTE mock shows where you stand against University of Otago's bar.
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