Admissions Requirements
To enter UCIC programmes, students must meet both the academic and English language requirements.
Below you will find the academic requirements for Foundations Studies Certificate (FS) a pre-university preparatory programme.
Scrolling further down you will find the University Transfer Programme (UTP) and Study Abroad academic requirements. UTP is the equivalent to year one of the undergraduate degree.
Admission requirements are subject to review on an on-going basis, if you cannot find your country on the list or have any questions please contact the team on info@ucic.ac.nz where we will be happy to help.
Foundation Studies Certificate Academic Requirements
| Country / Region | Minimum Academic Requirements |
|
International Baccalaureate |
Successful completion of Year 1 of IB |
|
United Kingdom Education System |
IGCSE: passing grades in 4 academic subjects |
|
Bahrain |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 60% average in academic subjects or US High School Diploma |
|
Bangladesh |
Higher School Certificate / Intermediate Certificate with a 50% GPA; or Year 11 (10+1) with a 70% GPA |
|
Botswana |
O-level: passing grades in 4 academic subjects |
|
Brazil |
Certificado Conclusao de 2 Grau with a grade of 6 |
|
Brunei |
O-level: passing grades in 4 academic subjects |
|
China |
Completion of Senior Middle 2 with an average of 70% in 4 academic subjects |
|
Fiji |
Successful completion of Form 6 School Leaving Certificate with an overall score of 260 |
|
Ghana |
O-level: passing grades in 4 academic subjects |
|
Hong Kong |
Completion of Form 5 (HKCEE) with passes in 4 academic subjects |
|
India |
All India Senior Certificate or the Higher Secondary School Certificate 50% or better in four academic subjects; or Year 11 (10+1) with a 70% GPA over four academic subjects |
|
Indonesia |
SMU II with average of 7.0 or completion of SMU III |
|
Japan |
General Upper Secondary School: Year 2 with a Grade 3 average; or successful completion of Year 3. |
|
Jordon |
Certificate of General Secondary Education with 50% average in 4 academic subjects |
|
Kazakhstan |
Diploma of Completed Secondary Education:with 3 average or higher |
|
Kenya |
Diploma of Completed Secondary Education:with 3 average or higher |
|
Kuwait |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 65% average in academic subjects or US High School Diploma |
|
Malaysia |
SPM, Form 5 or UEC with minimum 4 passes in academic subjects |
|
Nepal |
Completion of Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Year 11) with a grade average of 50% |
|
New Zealand |
NCEA: 12 credits in each of three university approved subjects at Level 2 |
|
Nigeria |
SSCE (WAEC/NECO): grade D7 or better in five academic subjects |
|
Oman |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 65% average |
|
Pakistan |
Completion of Higher Secondary School Certificate (Year 11) with a grade average of 50% |
|
Philippines |
Secondary School Year 4, grade C |
|
Russia |
Diploma of Completed Secondary Education:with 3.0 average |
|
Saudi Arabia |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 60% average in academic subjects or US High School Diploma |
|
Singapore |
O-level: passing grades in 4 relevant subjects |
|
Solomon Islds / Samoa / Vanuatu |
Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate Grade 6 or better |
|
South Africa |
Year 11 with a minimum average of 60% or completion of National Senior Certificate |
|
South Korea |
Senior High School Year 2 with minimum C average |
|
Sri Lanka |
GCE O-level with a minimum 4 passes |
|
Taiwan |
Completion of Senior Middle 2 with an average of 70% in 4 academic subjects |
|
Thailand |
Matayom 5 with minimum average 60% or Completion of Matayom 6 |
|
Turkey |
Devlet Lise Diplomasi (State High School Diploma) grade 2 or above |
|
United Arab Emirates |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 65% average in academic subjects or US High School Diploma |
|
United Kingdom |
O-level: passing grades in 4 relevant subjects |
|
United States of America |
Grade 12 or equivalent with minimum 60% in 4 academic subjects |
|
Vietnam |
Successful completion of Year 11 with a 6.0 GPA |
|
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania |
Year 11 with minimum average 60% or GCE O level with a minimum 4 passes |
UTP and Study Abroad Academic Requirements
Entry into the UTP generally requires the successful completion of Year 12 of secondary school or its equivalent (this is equivalent to Year 13 in the New Zealand education system).
Not all qualifications are listed, so if you have other qualifications, please send details to the UCIC Admissions Office info@ucic.ac.nz for assessment.
| Country / Region | UTP: Commerce Academic Entry Requirements | UTP Engineering and UTP Science (Physical) | UTP Science (General) |
|
Engineering - Applicants must have completed Maths with Calculus (65% minimum New Zealand grading system, unless otherwise stated) and Physics. Students wanting to specialise in Civil, Natural Resources, Chemical and Process or Forest Engineering must have studied Chemistry in their final year of high school. Science (Physical) - Applicants must have studied subjects relevant to their intended specialisation in their final year of high school. |
|||
|
IB |
At least 20 points over 6 IB units. Successful completion of IB Certificate (or less than 6 subjects) may be considered. |
At least 22 points over 6 IB units. Successful completion of IB Certificate (or less than 6 subjects) may be considered. |
International Baccalaureate Diploma score of at least 20 points over 6 IB units. Students expected to have completed some subjects relevant to their intended specialisation. Successful completion of IB Certificate (or less than 6 subjects) may be considered |
|
United Kingdom Education System |
GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
GCE A levels with passes in 3 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
|
Australia |
Successful completion of Year 12 with a 60% average in relevant subjects |
Successful completion of Year 12 with a 65% average in relevant subjects |
Successful completion of Year 12 with a 70% average in relevant subjects (including 70% minimum in Math) |
|
Bahrain |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with average 70% |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with a 80% average |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 75% average |
|
Bangladesh |
Higher Secondary Certificate with a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49 |
Higher Secondary Certificate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher |
Higher School Certificate with a GPA of 3.25 or higher |
|
Botswana |
Additional year of study after high school at a recognised institution, or |
GCE A Levels with passes in 3 academic subjects |
Additional year of study after high school at a recognised institution, or GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
|
Brazil |
Certificado de Ensino Medio with an average of 7.0 in 3 academic subjects |
Certificado de Ensino Medio with an average of 7.0 in 3 academic subjects |
Certificado de Ensino Medio with an average of 7.0 in 3 academic subjects |
|
Brunei |
GCE A Levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum 3 points) |
GCE A Levels with passes in 3 academic subjects (minimum 3 points) |
GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
|
China |
Senior Middle 3 - Achieved 70% in 4 academic subjects excluding English, Chinese, Politics |
Senior Middle 3 - Achieved 80% in 4 academic subjects excluding English, Chinese, Politics |
Senior Middle 3 - Achieved 75% in 4 relevant academic subjects excluding English, Chinese, Politics |
|
Fiji |
School Leaving Certificate, Form 7 with a C in English and Math and passes in all other subjects with an overall score of 240 |
School Leaving Certificate, Form 7 with a B in English and Math and passes in all other subjects with an overall score of 240 |
School Leaving Certificate, Form 7 with a C in English and Math and passes in all other subjects with an overall score of 240 |
|
Hong Kong |
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) minimum 7 points from three subjects, or |
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Level 4 or better in Core Maths and level 2 or better in Math 1 and/or Math 2, Physics and one additional academic subject (students with Math grade lower than requirements may be considered for admission on a case by case basis), or |
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) minimum 8 points from three relevant subjects, or Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A Level with passes in 2 relevant academic subjects, or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects. |
|
India |
All-India Senior School Certificate / Higher Secondary School Certificate with 60% or better in 4 academic subjects |
All-India Senior School Certificate / Higher Secondary School Certificate with 65% or better in 4 academic subjects |
All India Senior Certificate or the Higher Secondary School Certificate 60% or better in four subjects |
|
Indonesia |
SMU 3/National Examinations |
SMU 3/National Examinations Average of grade 8.0 or more in 4 academic subjects |
SMU3/National Examinations - Average of grade 7.0 or more in 4 academic subjects |
|
International Baccalaureate |
International Baccalaureate Diploma score of at least 20 points over 6 IB units |
International Baccalaureate Diploma score of at least 22 points over 6 IB units. Successful completion of IB Certificate (or less than 6 subjects) may be considered. |
At least 20 points over 6 IB units. Student are expected to have completed some subjects relevant to their intended specialisation. Successful completion of IB Certificate (or less than 6 subjects) may be considered |
|
Japan |
General Upper Secondary School (Kotogako), Year 3 with 2.5-3 average |
General Upper Secondary School (Kotogako), Year 3 with an average of 4 |
General Upper Secndary School (Kotogakko), Year 3 with 2.5-3 average |
|
Jordon |
Certificate of General Secondary Education with 70% average in 4 academic subjects |
Certificate of General Secondary Education with 85% average in 4 academic subjects |
Certificate of General Secondary Education with 75% average in 4 academic subjects |
|
Kazakhstan |
Completion of Ate stat with 3.5 average |
Completion of Ate stat with 4.0 average |
Completion of Ate stst with 3.5 average |
|
Kenya |
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with C grade average; or GCE A level see *United Kingdom Education System |
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with B grade average; or GCE A level see *United Kingdom Education System |
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with C grade average; or GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
|
Kuwait |
Shahadat Al-Thanawia-Al-A'ama (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with 75% average |
Shahadat Al-Thanawia-Al-A'ama (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with 85% average |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with a 80% average |
|
Malaysia |
STPM with passes in 2 academic subjects; or |
STPM with passes in 2 academic subjects; or |
STPM with passes in 2 relevant academic subjects; or UEC with 2 B grades and 2 C grades in relevant academic subjects, or Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A Level with passes in 2 relevant academic subjects, or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects. |
|
Nepal |
Higher Secondary Education Certificate with 60% average second division/merit class is achieved. |
Higher Secondary Education Certificate with 70% average second division/merit class is achieved. |
Higher Secondary School Education Certificate with 65% average second division/merit class is achieved. |
|
New Zealand - NCEA |
NCEA: A minimum of 10 credits in each of three university approved subjects at Level 3 |
NCEA: A minimum of 12 credits in each of Physics and Mathematics (preferably with some calculus) and 12 credits at Level 3 in another subject |
A minimum of 10 credits in each of 3 university approved subjects at level 3. Students expected to have completed some subjects relevant to their intended specialisation. |
|
New Zealand-Cambridge International Examinations |
Passes in two A Level academic subjects (with a minimum of 3 points). |
Passes in three A Level academic subjects (with a minimum of 3 points). Student applying for admission on the basis of AS level results will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
Passes in two A Level academic subjects (with a minimum of 3 points). Students expected to have completed some subjects relevant to their intended specialisation. Student applying for admission on the basis of AS level results will be considered on a case-by-case basis. |
|
Nigeria |
SSCE (WAEC/NECO) 5 passes with average grades of C and above, or 2 passes in GCE A levels |
SSCE (WAEC/NECO) 5 passes with average grades of B and above, or GCE A levels with passes in 3 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
SSCE (WAEC/NECO) 5 passes with average grades of C and above, or 2 passes in GCE A levels |
|
Oman |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 75% average |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 85% average |
Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 80% average |
|
Pakistan |
Higher Secondary or Intermediate Certificate 50% average in 4 academic subjects |
Higher Secondary or Intermediate Certificate 65% average in 4 academic subjects |
Higher Secondary School Certificate / Intermediate with a grade average of 60% in 4 academic subjects |
|
Philippines |
High School Diploma with an additional 1 year of successful study in a Certificate or Diploma course |
High School Diploma with an additional 1 year of successful study in a Certificate or Diploma course with a 70% average |
High School Diploma with an additional 1 year of successful study in a Certificate or Diploma course |
|
Russia |
Attestat with 3.5 average or higher in 4 academic subjects |
Attestat with 4.0 average or higher in 4 academic subjects |
Attestat with 3.5 average or higher in 4 academic subjects |
|
Saudi Arabia |
General Secondary Education Certificate / Thanawiya Amma 75% in four subjects |
General Secondary Education Certificate / Thanawiya Amma 85% in four subjects |
General Secondary Education Certificate / Thanawiya Amma 80% in four subjects |
|
Singapore |
Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A levels or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects |
Minimum 4 points from 2 GCE A levels or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects |
Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A Level with passes in 2 relevant academic subjects, or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects. |
|
South Pacific |
PSSC Grade 6 or better |
PSSC Grade 6 or better |
PSSC Grade 6 or better |
|
South Africa |
Successful completion of National Senior Certificate with a matriculation endorsement for further study at either Higher Certificate, Diploma or Degree level. |
Successful completion of National Senior Certificate with a matriculation endorsement for further study at Diploma or Degree level. |
Successful completion of National Senior Certificate with a matriculation endorsement for further study at either Higher Certificate, Diploma or Degree level. |
|
South Korea |
Senior High School Diploma with 'C' (Mi) average in 4 academic subjects |
Senior High School Diploma with grade 'B' average in 4 academic subjects |
Senior High School Diploma with 'C' (Mi) average in 4 academic subjects |
|
Sri Lanka |
Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A level or 1 A Level and 2 AS level subjects or 2 Sri Lankan A Levels with minimum C grade |
Minimum 4 points from 2 GCE A level or 1 A Level and 2 AS level subjects or 2 Sri Lankan A Levels with minimum B grade |
Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A level or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects or 2 Sri Lankan A Levels with a minimum C grade |
|
Taiwan |
Senior High School, Year 3 with a 70% average in 4 academic subjects |
Senior High School, Year 3 with a 75% average in 4 academic subjects |
Senior High School, Year 3 with a 70% average in 4 academic subjects |
|
Thailand |
Matayom 6 with an average grade of 2.5 |
Matayom 6 with an average grade of 3.0 |
Matayom 6 with an average grade of 2.5 |
|
Turkey |
Devlet Lise Diplomasi (State High School Diploma) with a GPA of 3.0 with no Math subject below 2.5 |
Devlet Lise Diplomasi (State High School Diploma) with a GPA of 4.0 with no Math subject below 2.5 |
Devlet Lise Diplomasi (State High School Diploma) with a GPA of 3.0 with no Math subject below 2.5. |
|
UAE |
Tawjihiya (General) with 75% average in 4 academic subjects |
Tawjihiya (General) with 85% average in 4 academic subjects |
Tawjihiya (General) with 80% average in 4 academic subjects |
|
United Kingdom |
GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points |
Minimum 4 points from 2 GCE A levels or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects |
GCE A levels with passes in 2 academic subjects (minimum of 3 points) |
|
Vietnam |
Year 12 (Tot Nghiep Pho Thong) with a 6.0 average in 4 academic subjects |
Year 12 (Tot Nghiep Pho Thong) with a 7.5 average in 4 relevant academic subjects including Maths, Physics and Chemistry |
Year 12 (Tot Nghiep Pho Thong) with a 6.75 average in 4 relevant academic subjects |
|
Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania |
Minimum 2 points from GCE A Level or 1 A Level and 2 AS level subjects |
Minimum 4 points from GCE A Level or 1 A Level and 2 AS level subjects |
Minimum 2 points from 2 GCE A level or 1 A level and 2 AS level subjects |
* A=5 B=4 C=3 D=2 E=1
English Language Requirements
| Test/Qualification | Foundation Studies University Transfer Programme Study Abroad | |
| English language proficiency tests recognised for admission to UCIC | ||
| IELTS (Academic) | Overall 5.5. All band scores minimum of 5.0 | |
| TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) | 550 with an essay score of 5.0 TWE | |
| TOEFL Internet based test (iBT) | 69 with a minimum writing score of 14 | |
| Cambridge English Examinations - FCE or FCE for Schools | Score of 162. No less than 154 in each skill | |
| Cambridge English Examinations - OET (Occupational English Test) | Grade C in all sub-tests | |
| New Zealand Certificate in English Language | Level 4 with Academic Endorsement | |
| Pearson Test of English (Academic) | Score of 42 | |
| City & Guilds IESOL | B2 Communicator with a score of 42 | |
| NCEA Level 3 with University Entrance | Qualification completed and awarded | |
| Certificate of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA) | Qualification completed and awarded | |
| English results from these qualifications can be accepted if you are a citizen of a country with a NZ student visa approval rate of 80% or higher AND can provide letters from your previous schools showing: Completion of all primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction OR Completion of five years of secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction. |
GCE 'O' Levels | C |
| SPM English | B | |
| 1119 English | C | |
| Australian High School Year 12 English | 65% | |
| HKDSE | English Level 3 | |
| International Baccalaureate | Standard 5 or Higher 4 | |
| English language proficiency tests recognised for admission if you are a citizen of a country with a NZ student visa approval rate of 80% or higher | CCEL CPT Test | C+ |
Do not meet the English requirements?
If you do not meet the English language requirements then you may wish to enrol in an intensive English language course. The Christchurch College of English Language (CCEL) is based on campus at the University of Canterbury and offer a range of programmes that pathway students direct to UCIC and the University of Canterbury. For more information on English language programmes contact us at info@ucic.ac.nz
English Language Programmes
Please contact UCIC Admissions for further details on available English language programmes.