February 2025
Ara Institute of Canterbury
City Campus,
130 Madras Street,
CHRISTCHURCH,
Christchurch Central,
8011, New Zealand
University Entrance: NCEA Level 3 (60 credits at level 3 and 20 credits at level 2 or higher) which must include 14 credits at Level 3 in each of three approved* subjects and:
Literacy* - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits in reading, 5 credits in writing,
Numeracy* - 10 credits at Level 1 or above
OR New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Media (Level 5)
OR New Zealand Diploma in Digital Design (Level 5), or equivalent
OR New Zealand Certificate in Creativity (Level 4)
OR New Zealand Certificate in Digital Media Design (Level 4)
OR New Zealand Certificate in Fashion (Level 4)
Due to Covid-19 disruption, if you studied and achieved NCEA Level 3 during 2020, you only need 12 credits per Level 3 subject (i.e. total of 36 credits). Literacy and Numeracy requirements remain the same
* NZQA approved subjects:
If you have undertaken examinations other than NCEA (e.g. International Baccalaureate, Cambridge Examination), Ara will assess your qualification for academic entry equivalency.
Alternative requirements: If you show that you have equivalent skills for tertiary study gained through study, work and/or life experience, you may be able to gain alternative entry.
English language requirements:
IELTS test - Academic score of 6 with no band score lower than 5.5
SPEAKING - 5.5
READING - 5.5
WRITING - 5.5
LISTENING - 5.5
TOEFL (pBT) - Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
TOEFL (iBT) - Score of 60 or higher (with a writing score of 18)
Cambridge English Qualifications - B2 First, or B2 First for schools, or C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill
PTE (Academic) score of 50 with no band score lower than 42
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.