The English for Otago (EFO) programme is a pathway option for students who meet the academic entry requirements but do not meet the English entry requirements for undergraduate or postgraduate study at the University of Otago. Specifically, this programme helps prospective students who are missing 0.5 IELTS (or equivalent) to meet Otago's English language requirements.
Students with a conditional offer of place from the University, for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme are eligible to study EFO. Upon successful completion of EFO, students progress into their planned University programme without needing to re-sit IELTS. EFO is equivalent to an overall academic band of 6.0 for undergraduate programmes and 6.5 for postgraduate programmes.
There are a few programmes that require a higher IELTS, for example Social Work and Teaching. Students who wish to apply for these programmes cannot take EFO but can apply to the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme and sit IELTS.
If you have any questions, email: pathways.admissions@otago.ac.nz
Admission to English for Otago
Students must hold a conditional offer of place from the University of Otago for an undergraduate or postgraduate programme to be eligible for EFO. On successful completion of EFO, students may progress directly into their planned programme without re-sitting IELTS.
Students who do not yet have an offer of place at Otago are not eligible for EFO and may instead enrol in General English or English for Academic Purposes (EAP).
English for Otago entry requirements
Before the EFO programme starts, you must provide evidence that you meet the minimum English proficiency level. This can be done by submitting an accepted English proficiency test result or by sitting the EFO entrance exam.
EFO entrance exam
If you do not have acceptable evidence of English proficiency, you may sit the EFO entrance exam.
- The exam is free of charge
- It is available only to students who hold an offer of place at Otago
Minimum required results:
- EFO Undergraduate: 55/100
- EFO Postgraduate: 60/100
To apply for the EFO entrance exam, contact:
Email pathways.admissions@otago.ac.nz
Accepted English proficiency tests
Undergraduate entry to EFO
Accepted tests and minimum scores include:
- IELTS: 5.5 (no band below 5.0); IELTS Online accepted
- TOEFL iBT: 70 (writing 15)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 42 (no band below 36)
- Duolingo: 95 (no subscore below 80)
- NZCEL Level 3 (Academic endorsement)
- English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 1
- Other accepted qualifications include GCE O-Level English, HKDSE English, LanguageCert B2, and selected regional secondary qualifications
Postgraduate entry to EFO
Accepted tests and minimum scores include:
- IELTS: 6.0 (no band below 5.5); IELTS Online accepted
- TOEFL iBT: 80 (writing 20)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic): 50 (no band below 42)
- Duolingo: 105 (no subscore below 95)
- NZCEL Level 4 (Academic endorsement)
- English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment Level 2
- Other accepted qualifications include Cambridge CAE/CPE, GCE A-Level English, IB English, LanguageCert C1, and selected international qualifications
Study load and assessment
EFO is a 12-week, full-time programme with approximately 23 hours of study per week. Assessment is continuous throughout the course.
Meeting Otago English language requirements
Students who successfully complete the English for Otago programme with a minimum grade of 'C' meet the English language requirements for admission to most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the University of Otago.
Further information