

- Location
Auckland or online for international students outside of New Zealand.
This programme is also offered at our Dunedin Campus. Visit op.ac.nz for programme details.
- Duration
- 16 weeks full-time
- Delivery
Face-to-face learning on campus in Auckland OR online learning by distance for international students outside of New Zealand
- Credits
- 60
- Level
- 4
- Start
- February, April, July and October
- Apply
- Anytime
-
LocationIntakeStudy breaks
-
Online for international students outside of NZ25 January 202122 March 2021 - 2 April 2021
-
Online for international students outside of NZ7 April 202131 May 2021 - 4 June 2021
-
Online for international students outside of NZ7 June 20212 August 2021 - 13 August 2021
-
Online for international students outside of NZ16 August 202111 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
-
Online for international students outside of NZ18 October 202113 December 2021 - 4 February 2022
-
Auckland International Campus25 January 202122 March 2021 - 2 April 2021
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Auckland International Campus25 January 202122 March 2021 - 2 April 2021
-
Auckland International Campus7 April 202131 May 2021 - 4 June 2021
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Auckland International Campus7 June 20212 August 2021 - 13 August 2021
-
Auckland International Campus16 August 202111 October 2021 - 15 October 2021
-
Auckland International Campus18 October 202113 December 2021 - 4 February 2022
-
Dunedin22 February 2021
-
Dunedin19 July 2021
-
Online for international students outside of NZ8 February 202211 April 2022 - 22 April 2022
-
Online for international students outside of NZ26 April 202227 June 2022 - 22 July 2022
-
Online for international students outside of NZ25 July 202219 September 2022 - 7 October 2022
-
Online for international students outside of NZ10 October 202212 December 2022 - 3 February 2023
-
Auckland International Campus8 February 202211 April 2022 - 22 April 2022
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Auckland International Campus26 April 202227 June 2022 - 22 July 2022
-
Auckland International Campus25 July 202219 September 2022 - 7 October 2022
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Auckland International Campus10 October 202212 December 2022 - 3 February 2023
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Dunedin21 February 2022
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Dunedin8 July 2022
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.
Entry requirements
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.
What you will learn
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.
Studying online
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.
Your workload
You will be expected to spend about 300 hours per Study Block on your course work. This includes both scheduled class time and self-directed study.
Study options after English
This programme prepares you for further study in our certificate, diploma and degree programmes. Find out more information here.