How likely is it that I can get an IELTS waiver based on my profile and medium of instruction in Ireland/New Zealand for a Master's?
If your Bachelor's degree is entirely from Ireland or New Zealand, your IELTS waiver is essentially guaranteed for a Master's in either country. If it is from elsewhere but taught in English, universities often accept a Medium of Instruction letter instead, case by case.
Your odds of getting an IELTS waiver depend entirely on where your Bachelor's degree was taught. If your degree is entirely from Ireland or New Zealand, you are almost certainly exempt for a Master's in either country, since both are recognized as predominantly English-speaking education systems. If your degree is from elsewhere but taught in English, your waiver becomes a case-by-case decision.
Waiver Likelihood by Background
| Your Background | University Waiver Likelihood | Visa or Immigration Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's entirely in Ireland | Guaranteed automatic waiver | No additional test needed |
| Bachelor's entirely in New Zealand | Guaranteed automatic waiver | No additional test needed |
| Bachelor's elsewhere, taught fully in English | Moderate to high, reviewed case by case with an official MOI letter | New Zealand immigration usually still wants IELTS or PTE unless your country is on its exempt list |
Steps to Confirm Your Own Waiver
- Ask your university registrar for an official Medium of Instruction letter stating your entire degree was taught and examined in English.
- Check the specific Irish or New Zealand university's English Language Requirements page for its exact exemption list.
- Email admissions directly with your transcripts and ask whether they accept your MOI letter or require an IELTS or PTE score.
My Advice
Request your MOI letter now, before you even shortlist universities, since some registrars take weeks to issue one with the exact wording immigration needs. Then confirm separately with New Zealand Immigration whether your specific undergraduate country appears on their exempt list, because a university offer letter alone will not guarantee your visa goes through without a test score.
Can you skip IELTS with your MOI or 12th English marks?
Check your waiver options free with an Irish admissions expert.
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