New Zealand National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA)
Find information about the NCEA scores you'll need to meet the English language requirements for the University of Plymouth and UPIC
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us you must have a suitable English language qualification. The tables below show the minimum English language requirements for standard courses at RQF 6 (degree level) and above.
Some courses have English language requirements that are higher than those shown below; please check the relevant course for details.
What if I don't meet the requirements?
If you don't think you will be able to meet these requirements, you may be able to join a pre-sessional English language course offered by our English Language Centre. Please note that to study a pre-sessional English language course UKVI require Student (formerly Tier 4) visa holders to take a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at a UKVI approved test centre (details of approved SELTs).
University of Plymouth requirement – New Zealand National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | Minimum component scores |
| Grades: Achieved, Merit or Excellent in the English component | Grades: Achieved, Merit or Excellent in the English component | University of Plymouth entry requirement. No UKVI requirement if the student is a New Zealand national – if they are not, IELTS or another acceptable qualification will be required |
University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) requirement – New Zealand National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2
| Undergraduate programmes | Postgraduate programmes | Minimum component scores |
| Grades: Achieved, Merit or Excellent in the English component | Grades: Achieved, Merit or Excellent in the English component | University of Plymouth entry requirement. No UKVI requirement if the student is a New Zealand national – if they are not, IELTS or another acceptable qualification will be required |
Further guidance on English language requirements
On our Further guidance on English language requirements page you will find a complete list of notes and clarifications across all qualifications for applying to the University of Plymouth.
The validity period of qualifications accepted
Degrees awarded in the UK or in majority English language speaking countries (as defined by UKVI) will be accepted as meeting our standard English language entry requirements. Normally, these should have been awarded no more than three years prior to your course start date at Plymouth.
IELTS academic tests (SELTS, taken at UKVI approved test centres) should have been taken within two yearsof the date your CAS is issued for studies at Plymouth. This is a UKVI requirement.
