Study in New Zealand
University
Tertiary and vocational
qualifications
There are 10 levels of study
in New Zealand schools and universities. The lowest
level is a certificate and the highest is a doctoral
degree. Each level is more complex than the one below
it. These are the names of our qualifications and their
levels:
- Certificates are
levels 1 to 4
- Diplomas are levels
5 and 6
- Bachelor's degrees
and graduate diplomas are level 7
- Postgraduate
certificates and diplomas, and bachelor's degrees
with honours are level 8
- Master's degrees
are level 9
- Doctoral degrees
are level 10.
More about New
Zealand University qualification
All of our major
education providers have qualifications with these
names. This means that you can easily understand the
level of the qualification and compare qualifications
between education providers.
All major education
providers are registered with the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority (NZQA), so you can be sure that
you are studying for an approved qualification that has
been assessed to ensure that it is high quality. Some
private training establishments don’t use NZQA
qualifications – you should check and make sure their
courses are suitable for you.
At polytechnics and institutes of technology you can
study for a certificate,
diploma or
degree. These
institutions offer more practical and vocational
courses. At colleges of education you can study for a
degree in education and teaching.
A
university bachelor's
degree usually takes three to four years. Most
degree structures give you the opportunity of combining
your 'major' subject with supporting subjects known as
'minor' subjects.
After you have a
bachelor's degree, you can study for a post-graduate
qualification such as a
graduate diploma,
master's degree
or doctorate.
If you already have an undergraduate degree from your
home country and your English is good, you may be able
to enrol in a post-graduate programme in New Zealand.
