• New Zealand
How does the New Zealand Education System work?
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New Zealand’s education system continues to excel in literacy and ranks well by global standards. The country is influenced by a wide employment market and an increasingly mobile network of teaching staff, researchers and a well-travelled population of students.
How does the New Zealand Education System work?
Detailed explanation of qualification levels
Certificate
New Zealand Certificate qualifications may be approved at several levels. All certificates must comprise at least 40 credits. Certificate qualifications are delivered at levels 1-5.
What are Credits?
A total of 120 credits is considered an annual full-time study loan for a student. 120 credits are equivalent to 60 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System). Each credit represents 10 learning hours (both face-to-face and self-directed learning).
Diploma
New Zealand Diploma qualifications may be approved at levels 5-7. They must be at least 120 credits. New Zealand Diploma qualifications are delivered at levels 5 and 6, both one and two-year diplomas.
Degree
The degree gives a systematic and coherent introduction to a body of knowledge of a recognized major subject. It requires a minimum of 360 credits from levels 5 to 7 and gives eligibility to enrol in a postgraduate qualification.
Graduate Certificate
It broadens or deepens skills learnt in an undergraduate degree and requires a minimum of 60 credits, with a minimum of 40 at level 7 or above.
Graduate diploma
It broadens knowledge and skills in a familiar subject or discipline or develops skills in a new area. It requires a minimum of 120 credits, of which 72 credits must be at level 7 or above.
Bachelor Honors Degree
It may be either a 480-credit degree or a discrete, 120-credit degree following a bachelor’s degree. It requires a minimum of 120 credits at level 8, with a research component that represents at least 30 credits at that level.
Postgraduate Certificate
It is open to those with a Bachelor’s degree or Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in a relevant subject. It requires a minimum of 60 credits at level 8 and provides the basis for further postgraduate study.
Postgraduate Diploma
It is open to those who have completed all requirements of the relevant Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma. It may make one eligible to enrol in a Master’s Degree and requires a minimum of 120 credits from levels 7 and above, with a minimum of 72 credits from level 8.
Master’s Degree
It has a minimum entry requirement of a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent. It must include at least 40 credits at level 9, with the remainder at level 8. It may give one eligibility to apply for admission to a program of advanced study.
How Does the New Zealand Education System Work? Universities and Programs
For international students, there are various things to know when planning to study in New Zealand. Students attend university to undertake bachelor's degrees or postgraduate courses (including certificates, postgraduate diplomas, master programs). Students can take higher education courses to earn an advanced degree and continue their studies in New Zealand. Teaching at universities normally takes place in large-group lectures and small-group tutorials.
University/College | Programs/Courses |
Aspire 2 International | Level 7 • Graduate Diploma in Applied Management Level 8 • Postgraduate diploma in Digital Transformation in Business |
Auckland Institute of Studies | Level 7 • Bachelor of Business Level 8 • Post Graduate Diploma in business Administration Level 9 • Master of Business Administration |
Auckland University of Technology | Level 7 • Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science Level 8 • Bachelor of Arts (Honors) with a Specialization in Education Level 9 • Master of Analytics |
Massey University | Level 7 • B.Sc. Arts-Media Studies Level 8 • Bachelor of Engineering(Honors) in electronics and Computer Engineer Level 9 • Executive Master of Business Administration |
Manukau Institute of Technology | Level 7 • Bachelor of Accounting Level 8 • Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Technologies Level 9 • Master of Applied Technology |
Media Design School Otago Polytechnic | Level 7 • Bachelor of Art and Design – 3D Animation and VFX Level 8 • Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Management-Business Information Systems |
New Zealand Skills and Education College Unitech Institute of Technology | Level 7 • Diploma in Applied Network and Cloud Technology Level 8 • Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Business |
The New Zealand Education System offers qualifications across all of the NZQF levels, from Certificates to Doctoral Degrees.
International students consider New Zealand as an emerging education destination. The New Zealand qualification has ten levels of qualifications, each based on complexity. Level 1 is the least complex, and level 10 is the most complex. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the level, the longer the time to complete it due to the learning material and credits required to achieve the full qualification.
New Zealand Education System Admission Requirements
Graduate Certificate/ Diploma (Level 7)
Postgraduate Diplomas (Level 8)
Postgraduate degrees (Level 9)
Conclusion
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