New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) (Level 4)
Perfect if you are an upper-intermediate English speaker. You will further enhance your English skills for professional or academic purposes. You can go from here into most of our advanced tertiary programmes.
Domestic
July
September
About the programme
Want to improve your English skills?
Study English at Otago Polytechnic to prepare for further study, make new friends and experience New Zealand culture.
When you study with us you will:
- learn English from teachers who are very patient and understanding
- work in small groups to practise your speaking
- meet native speakers and listen to guest speakers
- gain study skills through self-directed learning and group work.
This Certificate is for upper-intermediate English speakers who want to do further English-language or subject study in an academic context. It is a nationally-recognised qualification. It can lead to academic study at Otago Polytechnic, or you can use it to transfer to other study institutes in New Zealand.
Studying part-time
We know full-time study isn't always possible. We have part-time options for this programme available - talk to us about what will suit you best.
International
Online
Auckland
Distance
February
April
July
September
About the programme
Want to improve your English skills?
Study English at Otago Polytechnic to prepare for further study, make new friends and experience New Zealand culture.
When you study with us you will:
- learn English from teachers who are very patient and understanding
- work in small groups to practise your speaking
- meet native speakers and listen to guest speakers
- gain study skills through self-directed learning and group work.
This Certificate is for upper-intermediate English speakers who want to do further English-language or subject study in an academic context. It is a nationally-recognised qualification. It can lead to academic study at Otago Polytechnic, or you can use it to transfer to other study institutes in New Zealand.
Delivery options and start dates
We offer this programme with three different locations.
You can study on campus in Dunedin. This option has intakes each year in February, July and September and will take 17 weeks of full-time study to complete.
You can also study on campus at our Auckland International Campus where this programme is offered by Future Skills due to a sub-contract arrangement. This option has intakes each year in February, April, July and October and will take 16 weeks of full-time study to complete.
For international students outside of New Zealand, you can also study online by distance. This option has the same intakes as the Auckland on campus programme and will take 16 weeks of full-time study to complete.
What You Study
When you finish this programme you will be able to:
- understand the main ideas and key supporting details of quite complex spoken and written information on familiar and unfamiliar topics
- take part effectively in sustained, spoken academic conversation
- write detailed, well-developed and quite complex academic texts.
Study options after English
This programme prepares you for further study in our certificate, diploma and degree programmes. Find out more information here.
Workload
Your workload
If studying at our Dunedin Campus
- 20-22 hours a week in class, guided by your teacher
- 10-14 hours a week for self-directed study
If studying at our Auckland International Campus/online
You will be expected to spend about 38 hours per week (or 300 hours per Study Block) on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study.
Studying online (from offshore)
Your offshore, online study journey will begin with an online orientation. This session will cover introductions to staff, tips for academic success, and wellbeing information, among other things.
All courses offered at the Auckland Campus use Moodle, which is an online learning management system (LMS). The use of the Moodle LMS means that no matter where you are, you have great access to all your course content.
You also get access to Office 365, including Microsoft Teams. This means you'll be able to collaborate with your classmates and work on certain tasks which you have been given by your lecturers.
And, online students have access to the same services as students on campus. This includes online learning support, which will be available via Microsoft Teams. All online students will also have remote access to our library.
Entry
Entry requirements
Onshore international and domestic students studying in Dunedin
- We will test you and place you at the right level when you arrive. You may not be enrolled into the Certificate level that you apply for.
- Alternatively, you can provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years) OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
Offshore international students studying in Dunedin
- You will need to provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years), OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
- International students need a visa to study with us for more than three months.
All students studying at the Auckland International Campus (OPAIC)
At our Auckland International Campus, this programme is delivered through Future Skills Academy in a sub-contract arrangement between Otago Polytechnic and Future Skills.
- You must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years)
- Reading band 5.0
- Writing band 5.5
- Speaking band 5.0
- Listening band 5.0, OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
- We will test you when you arrive to ensure that we offer you the correct level of English tuition.
Fees
Domestic fees
International fees
Fees Free
If you’re a domestic student and this is your first time doing tertiary study in New Zealand (over 60 credits at Level 3 or higher), you may be able to get free tuition fees for this programme.
All the details and criteria are on the Fees Free website and you can check whether you’re going to be able to access funding by entering your National Student Number.
If you can access it, we’ll organise your fees with the Tertiary Education Commission when you’re enrolled to study with us. This funding doesn’t include additional costs or living costs.
Additional costs
For our Dunedin-based programme, you'll need to buy the course textbook. This will be available from your lecturer for a discounted price of $90.00.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees shown above are approximate only. There may be a slight fee increase per year once Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) rules and guidelines are applied.
Studylink
Domestic full-time students can apply for a student loan through Studylink. Some support may be available for domestic part-time students. Apply at the same time as you apply for your course (you can withdraw your application anytime).
Student Services Fee
For most students, your tuition fee shown above includes a Student Services Fee – also known as the Student Levy. This compulsory fee covers your access to the student services we offer. This cost is tailored depending on how you're studying.
The international tuition fee does not include your Student Levy. This will be calculated when you enrol with us.
Click below to find out more about the Student Levy costs and services provided.
Application
A change for 2023 enrolments
When you apply to study with Otago Polytechnic in 2023, you will be enrolled with Te Pūkenga, the new national network of vocational and applied education in Aotearoa New Zealand. You will learn in the same way, in the same place, and with the same people, and you will graduate with a Te Pūkenga qualification.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
