English for Academic Purposes unit standard reviews

Information on revisions and reviews

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) unit standards prepare students for tertiary education.

Level 3 and 4 EAP unit standards are designed for people preparing for academic study. The standards are open to all learners.

Students who earn Level 4 EAP unit standards have a credential to show they have the language ability to cope with university study. These standards are mandatory for the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Academic) [Ref:1883].

University entrance requirements

These unit standards meet university entrance (UE) requirements:

  • 22749
  • 22750
  • 22751.

More information

English for Academic Purposes list of unit standards (external link)

Reviews in progress

The review of English Language qualifications is set to start in February 2023. This review is planned to end by 31 December 2023.

English Language qualification reviews

Completed reviews

July 2022: Rollover of EAP

Read details of the rollover of EAP in the change report. 

Rollover of EAP unit standards change report [PDF, 27 KB]

November 2017: Development of Level 3 EAP assessment standards

Five EAP Level 3 unit standards were developed to assess if a student is ready for EAP Level 4 standards. Providers can use the standards to assess the outcomes of the New Zealand Certificate in English Language (Applied) (Level 3) [Ref: 3667].

3367 NZ Certificate in English Language (Applied) Level 3 (external link)

May 2017: Review of Level 4 EAP assessment standards

Read details of the May 2017 review of EAP assessment standards in the change report.

Review of EAP unit standards 2017 [PDF, 248 KB]

English for Academic Purposes resources

Assessment support materials

Resources to guide how you teach and assess EAP

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EAP information sheets

Information sheets for each EAP assessment standard

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Ministry of Education resources

Guides on teaching English as a Second Language

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Te Kete Ipurangi resources

Guides on how to teach ESOL from the TKI website

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COVID-19 guidance

Guidance on online assessment for EAP

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