Cambridge Assessment International Education (Cambridge International)
Important note
Please note some programmes have a change in rank score and/or entry requirements from 2027. Please refer to specific programme pages directly for more information.
For entry based on Cambridge International completed in New Zealand or overseas, you must first meet the University Entrance (UE) standard. UE is the minimum standard needed to enrol at a New Zealand university.
To learn more about Cambridge International UE requirements, visit Universities New Zealand's Other school-leavers qualifications page.
You must also meet the entry requirements for the programme you wish to study. You can meet entry requirements by
- Meeting the required rank score for entry into the programme
- Taking specific subjects as is stated in the entry requirements of the programme you want to study
To find out more about the guaranteed entry requirements for your intended programme(s), please visit the named programme page. For a list of all programme pages, please see Find a study option.
University Entrance standard for admission in 2027
Part A
- 120 points in the NZ CI tariff needed for UE
- A D grade or better in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills)
Additional things to note
For the New Zealand Cambridge International score table, please see Universities New Zealand's Other school-leaver qualifications page.
To find a Cambridge School to reach out to, please visit Find a Cambridge school in New Zealand.
Part B: Literacy and Numeracy requirements
Literacy
Literacy can be met by gaining an E grade or better in one of the following:
- AS English Language
- AS Language and Literature in English
- AS Literature in English
- AS English General
Or
- Meeting the literacy requirement for University Entrance with NCEA
- Meeting the standard literacy requirement through an alternative approved English test as outlined in the Minimum undergraduate English-language requirements**
**This applies to international applicants applying with Cambridge International study outside of New Zealand only. For more information on how to meet the Minimum undergraduate English-language requirements, please visit Undergraduate English language requirements.
Numeracy
Numeracy can be met by
- Gaining a D grade (or higher) in IGCSE or GCSE Mathematics
- Passing any mathematics subject at AS level
- OR Meeting the numeracy requirement for University Entrance with NCEA
Programme entry requirements for 2027
You must meet the admission requirements for your programme(s) of study.
In addition to achieving University Entrance, some of our undergraduate programmes have additional requirements. These requirements are specific to the programme and can include one or more of the following:
- Having passed specific subjects
- Having gained a certain number of credits in specific subjects
- Submission of a portfolio
- An audition requirement
- An interview requirement
To find out more about the guaranteed entry requirements for your intended programme(s), please visit Find a study option.
How your Cambridge International rank score is calculated
Your rank score is based on the New Zealand Cambridge International score table for up to six subject units at one of the following
- AS level (one subject unit)
- A level (two subject units)
A maximum of two subject units can be included from any one syllabus group in the table of available syllabus groups, which are broadly equivalent to those in the list of approved subjects for NCEA. If you have studied more than six subject units, the best six scores will be used.
The maximum rank score is 420. The following points are awarded for each syllabus group.
A level:
- A*: 140 points
- A: 120 points
- B: 100 points
- C: 80 points
- D: 60 points
- E: 40 points
AS level:
- A: 60 points
- B: 50 points
- C: 40 points
- D: 30 points
- E: 20 points
Calculate your estimated Rank Score
To get an estimate your rank score, you can use our Rank Score Calculator.
For more information on calculating your rank score, please visit the Additional rank score information for school-leaver applicants in New Zealand page.
Cambridge International rank scores required for entry for 2026
These are the undergraduate programme admission requirements for school leavers who have achieved University Entrance. Additional requirements may apply and alternative pathways may be available where noted against specific programmes.
If you achieve the University Entrance standard, but your rank score is not high enough to guarantee selection, your application will be considered, provided places remain available.
You may want to apply for another programme or consider a foundation programme. For more information, please visit:
Conjoint programmes
Applicants must achieve the greater of the two rank scores for their selected programmes and must meet the entry requirements for both programmes.
It's advisable that you also apply for both programmes separately. Not all degree programmes have conjoint options.
Other programmes
| Programme | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Part I |
Applicants must be offered a place in another bachelors degree. Students who gain entry to Law Part II can be admitted to the conjoint degree at that stage even if they were not in a conjoint previously. |
| Bachelor of Medical Imaging (Honours) (BMedImag(Hons)) | Applicants must first complete the required Year 1 courses of the Bachelor of Science (BSc). |
| Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) | Applicants must first complete either:
|
| Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) | Applicants should first complete one of the following:
|
| Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) | Applicants must first complete one of the following:
|
Notes
2. AS Mathematics and Physics may be accepted based on the level of grade achieved.
3. The Faculty of Engineering and Design will consider admission for students who demonstrate sufficient ability in Engineering-related and approved study in the Bachelor of Science programme. For more information, please visit Pathways via the Faculty of Science.
4. Applicants for the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Part II must first complete the Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Part I. Places in LLB Part II are limited and are allocated based on each applicant's grades in LLB Part I and their non-Law course results. For more information, please visit Applying for LLB Part II.
5. An audition can include evaluations of one or more recorded and/or live elements. For more information, please visit the Entry requirement tabs of the following pages: