Free NZCEL
New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Levels 3 & 4)
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Programme Hours
Teaching: 20 hours per week / 360 hours total
Supported Self-Directed Learning: 3 hours per week / 54 hours total
Self-study: 11.5 hours per week / 207 total
Total learning hours: 34.5 per week / 620 total
Programme Length
18 Academic weeks
2 Holiday weeks
20 Weeks total
Number of Units
12 Units total
3 for each component (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking)
Program Credits: 62 credits
Course Overview: NZCEL Qualifications
New Zealand Certificates in English Language (NZCEL) qualification quality assured by NZQA, are intended for learners of English as an additional language, ranging from Level 1 to Level 5.
Canterbury College currently has NZQA approval and accreditation to deliver programmes leading to NZCEL Level 3 (Applied) and Level 4 (Academic) qualifications.
NZCEL
New Zealand Certificates in English Language
Study NZCEL Level 3 (Applied) and Level 4 (Academic) qualifications
Benefits of NZCEL
- Improves employment opportunities through communication skills development
- Credible/transferable qualifications between NZ providers: A recognized pathway for learning
- Language weaknesses are addressed by teachers
- Opportunities for resits/resubmissions of assessments
- The continually assessed programme allows students to accumulate knowledge and skills in effective oral and written communication to prepare students for success at tertiary level. This is in stark contrast to one-off examinations such as the IELTS or PTE.
- No final exams needed! Pass unit standard assessments as you study. These unit standards do not expire. Every assessment adds to your success and builds up your confidence.
Level 3 (Applied) Programme
This qualification is intended for learners of English as an additional language who wish to apply their English language proficiency to a specific context.
Graduates will have the general language skills required to participate with increasing independence and fluency in academic, community and/or employment English language contexts.
Level 4 (Academic) Programme
This qualification is intended for learners of English as an additional language, who wish to pursue further studies in an academic context.
Graduates will have the language skills required to communicate independently and effectively in familiar and some less familiar situations with fluency and flexibility in academic settings.
This qualification allows educational institutions to make informed judgements regarding the level at which the graduate can use English for academic purposes.
Entry Requirements for Free Tuition
Academic Pathways
Entry Requirements for Free Tuition
- Must be from a refugee background (including family reunification)
- NZCEL Level 3 – English Language proficiency must be at IELTS 5.0/CEFR High B1
- NZCEL Level 4 – English language proficiency must be at IELTS 5.5/CEFR Low B2
Academic Pathways
NZCEL Level 3
- Direct entry to the NZCEL Level 4
- Any certificate programme registered at Level 4 or below on the NZQF
NZCEL Level 4
- Direct entry into NZCEL Level 5 (Under development at Canterbury College)
- Certificate, Diploma or Degree at Level 6 or Level 7 (The University of Canterbury, Lincoln University, and all polytechnics/PTEs accept this as evidence of English language proficiency)