DELNA for students

• You begin with the DELNA Screening regardless of your language background, school results or entry qualifications.
• The Screening is a computer-based assessment and consists of vocabulary and timed reading tasks.
• You do the Screening once only (not for each course).
• Book a Screening now
• Do a practice version of the Screening now

Your results

We will confirm your Screening results by email and inform your faculty.

• You may be told that your academic language skills are appropriate for beginning university study.
• Or you may be told that your academic language skills are satisfactory, in which case you will be given resources to strengthen your language skills.
• Or you may be asked to complete the Diagnosis after your Screening. Do this as soon as you can. The Diagnosis gives a more detailed picture of your language skills in listening, reading, and writing. After that, you will receive feedback and advice in a session with a friendly language adviser. This will help you get off to a strong start.

The DELNA Diagnosis is a thorough assessment of your English language skills.

The Diagnosis consists of:

• a reading task
• a listening task
• a writing task

To book a time for your Diagnosis, select from the options on the DELNA Booking website. 

Book a Diagnosis now 

Your results

Approximately 10 days after sitting the Diagnosis, you will receive an email from the DELNA office. The email will ask you to book a time to receive feedback and advice.
If you do not receive an email within the above timeframe, please email delna@auckland.ac.nz with the following information:

• Your name
• Your Student ID
• The date and time of your assessment

The email you will receive from the DELNA office will contain instructions for you to book a session to receive feedback and advice.

Alternatively, to schedule an appointment, you can email delna@auckland.ac.nz.

Please include in the email:

• Your name
• Your Student ID number
• Some days and times when you can attend

Please visit the SDS website to read about how the University supports students with disabilities.

Neurodivergent students can receive support and assistance from Inclusive Learning.

DELNA assessments can be completed with accommodations provided information is shared with the DELNA office beforehand. Students need to send confirmation of their approved special conditions to the DELNA office by email for arrangements to be made.

If you have not yet applied for special conditions, you can do so here: Sitting your exam or test under special conditions – University of Auckland .

All doctoral candidates must complete DELNA.

Completing the assessment and, if required, participation in any language enrichment is one of the compulsory confirmation milestones all doctoral candidates must achieve in their confirmation year.

Most candidates meet the requirement by completing the DELNA Screening. If you are asked to complete the DELNA Diagnosis as well, you may need to take part in a language enrichment programme. This may include one or two credit-bearing language courses.

Candidates who have been granted a language waiver bypass the Screening and complete the Diagnosis only.

If you are a bachelor's student, find out what the Academic English Language Requirement (AELR) is and how you can meet it.

• Academic English Language Requirement (AELR)

Find out about the University’s language support systems:

• Language enrichment for all students