New Zealand qualifications for international
students
The quality assurance practices that the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has in place gives both local and international
students confidence when it comes to choosing a course of study in New Zealand.
The following links tell you about education in New
Zealand and how to know if your course has been checked for quality, either by
NZQA or other Government approved bodies.
Is my New Zealand qualification a meaningful,
recognised qualification?
Students intending to study here can be assured of
achieving qualifications of a consistent quality and a standard comparable to
qualifications achieved in leading educational institutions in other parts of
the world.
The New Zealand Government has put in place strong
national quality assurance systems designed to help institutions maintain the
quality and consistency of training and assessment programmes. All courses,
programmes and qualifications offered at state institutions must be approved by
a quality assurance body.
All national certificates, diplomas and degrees
offered by New Zealand institutions are quality assured to protect your
investment in education. It is illegal in New Zealand to use terms like
'university', 'degree', 'polytechnic', 'national qualification' unless approved
by a government body.
Courses at private training establishments can also
be quality assured and those that are will state that they are registered and
approved by NZQA.
Where can I study?
New Zealand welcomes international students at all
of our institutions.
New Zealand's immigration laws prevent an
international student from studying at a private provider that has not been
registered or from taking a course that is not NZQA approved.
New Zealand offers the international student the
opportunity to study at high-quality secondary schools as well as undertake a
range of qualifications run by quality assured tertiary institutions.
Secondary schools
Secondary schooling is compulsory in New Zealand
until the age of 16 years. Most secondary schools are government established but
there are some private or integrated schools that have special philosophical or
religious traditions. All secondary schools offer national qualifications that
are recognised by all New Zealand tertiary organisations.
Examination and assessment in New Zealand secondary
schools
Between 2002 to 2004, a new national qualification
for senior students, the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)
is being introduced into secondary schools. NZQA administers this system. NCEA
level 1 replaced School Certificate in 2002.
What is NCEA?
NCEA is New Zealand's national qualification for
secondary students. It is a mixture of external examination and internal
assessment.
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NCEA Level 1 is broadly equivalent to the English
General Certificate of Education (GCE).
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Level 3 is equivalent to English A Levels and
Australia's Higher School Certificate.
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The
University Entrance award (required for entrance to university by school
leavers) is based on NCEA credits. Polytechnics and other tertiary
institutions will use NCEA results when enrolling students.
More information about NCEA...
Tertiary Institutions
State Owned
State owned universities, polytechnics, colleges of
education and wānanga (Māori centres of learning) are institutions that have
been set up by the Government and approved by the Minister of Education. They
are government funded and market responsive institutions that offer programmes
of study and research in demand by both domestic and international students.
Universities
New Zealand's eight universities are part of the
international university community. Degree programmes from New Zealand
universities are recognised internationally by all leading universities.
More information on the
New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee website
Polytechnics
There are 23 polytechnics or institutes of
technology in New Zealand. Polytechnics have traditionally specialised in
vocational training, but that role has expanded over the last decade to meet the
needs of learners and the economy. Many are involved in research activities,
particularly in applied and technological areas and other degrees.
More information on the
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics website
Colleges of Education
Colleges of education provide programmes required
for early childhood, primary and secondary school teaching qualifications. They
also provide training for other occupational groups such as social workers. All
courses involve supervised on-the-job training for students.
More information on the
Association of the Colleges of Education in New Zealand website
Wānanga
Wānanga, Māori centres of tertiary learning, were
established as tertiary education institutions in the last decade. These offer
advanced study and research programmes where ahuatanga Māori (Māori tradition)
and tikanga Māori (Māori custom) are an integral part of the programme. There
are three wānanga in the public sector.
More information in
About education providers
All of these institutions, universities,
polytechnics, colleges of education and wānanga, offer a variety of
qualifications including degrees that share the same quality assurance status.
Privately owned
As well as state-owned education providers there are
approximately 860 private training establishments (PTEs) in New Zealand. These
PTE's are privately owned and funded, although some of their courses attract
government funding. They offer a wide variety of courses that lead to
qualifications in a large range of vocations from scuba-diving to hospitality to
business.
More information in
About education providers
National Qualifications Framework
The
National Qualifications Framework is a system of national qualifications
available through course work in schools, polytechnics, colleges of education
and wananga and work-based training programmes. It links 800 different
qualifications across almost every industry.
Many of the courses international students undertake
will be covered by the National Qualifications Framework. The Framework gives
students the ability to plan what, where and how to learn and gives them a clear
understanding of what skills and knowledge are needed to succeed in their chosen
field.
The Framework provides nationally recognised,
consistent standards and qualifications, regardless of where learning and
assessment are undertaken.
The Framework has received strong endorsement and
support from New Zealand's education and training providers, employers and
national industry and professional groups. It is also compatible with similar
systems being established in the United Kingdom, Europe, South Africa, Australia
and North America.
Who is responsible for the quality of education?
All state-owned institutions enjoy a high degree of
academic freedom. They determine their own curricula, appoint staff and
determine conditions of service. They select students within limitations on
numbers and choose their own programmes of research.
However, to ensure that both the Government and
individuals are investing in quality education, training and assessment, the
Government has set up nationally recognised processes of quality assurance.
There are a number of government appointed bodies
responsible for approving qualifications in New Zealand and for the quality that
underpins the delivery of qualifications. These bodies are the:
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New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA):
responsible for approving and registering all courses and national
qualifications offered at polytechnics and private training establishments,
also responsible for accrediting and registering private training
establishments including wananga. In order to offer NZQA approved courses a
PTE must be a registered provider with NZQA. NZQA also oversees and
administers state secondary school qualifications.
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New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee (NZVCC):
responsible for approving all diplomas, undergraduate and graduate programmes
offered by New Zealand universities.
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ITPNZ - Institutes of Technology and
Polytechnics of New Zealand: responsible for overseeing and approving all
local qualifications offered at polytechnics.
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Association of Colleges of Education in New
Zealand (ACENZ): responsible for approving and overseeing qualifications
offered at Colleges of Education in New Zealand.
All qualifications approved by these organisations
will be listed in the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.
KiwiQuals website - find and compare qualifications
All national qualifications offered by the full
range of secondary and tertiary providers, including universities, polytechnics,
colleges of education and private training providers are listed on the New
Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications.
You can find and compare these qualifications on the
KiwiQuals website.
The Register has been developed to give all
students, both local and international, a clear and coherent picture of New
Zealand's education and training products.
KiwiQuals can help you identify the best learning
path for your particular field of interest and ensure that all courses you are
considering are quality assured national qualifications.
For example, if you are interested in tourism, you
can access KiwiQuals, and find and compare all the qualifications available
throughout the country.
Useful websites
Education
New Zealand
Showcases the benefits of New Zealand as a study destination. Links to overseas
centres, information on all tertiary (higher education), secondary and English
Language institutions, and additional information for international students
such as cost of living and accommodation.
Federation of Independent English Language
Schools of New Zealand Inc (FIELS)
Lists services and links to members throughout New Zealand.
New Zealand Ministry of
Education
The Ministry of Education is responsible for national education policy. View the
Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (a mandatory
code of conduct for providers of education and care for international students)
and other information for international students
New
Zealand Immigration Service
Details on student visa applications and conditions
http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-learners/nzstudy/index.html
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