Proposed National Degree registration process

NZQA seeking feedback

In May 2008, NZQA established a project to develop a process for handling applications to register a National Degree on the NQF.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is seeking feedback from the tertiary education sector on a proposed process for the registration of a National Degree on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Please ensure that you have read the consultation document before providing feedback.

Responses are sought by 22 September 2009

Background

Download these
background comments
the process description
and the feedback form

The NQF encompasses the same qualifications as the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications (the Register). However, there are currently no degrees registered on the NQF.

The project was prompted by the NZQA Board's decision (February 2008) which affirmed National Degrees can be registered on the NQF, but considered that such degrees must meet the statutory degree definition:

S254 of the Education Act, states that a degree may not be awarded unless the recipient has completed a course of advanced learning that is taught mainly by people engaged in research; and which emphasises general principles and basic knowledge as the basis for self-directed work and learning

Therefore the process would align the requirements for NQF registration with the statutory requirements for degrees, including course approval and accreditation, and consent to award the degree.

NQF accreditation alone does not generally require providers to seek separate course approval and accreditation to deliver a course, as the qualification and its associated standards are already available on the NQF. This makes the registration of National Degree significantly different to that of other registered national qualifications.

The project established a Working Group made up of representatives from quality assurance bodies (see Note 1) and a Sector Advisory Group comprising key knowledge holders nominated by tertiary peak bodies (see Note 2). The Working Group drafted the proposed National Degree registration process while the Sector Advisory Group provided advice and views on the outcomes of the Working Group. The groups have agreed on the proposed National Degree registration process.

NZQA and ITP Quality. The NZVCC Committee on University Academic Programmes were invited to join the working group but declined, due to opposition to the concept of National Degrees.

NZQA, NZVCC, ITPNZ, NZAPEP, ITF and Te Tauihu o ngā Wānanga.

Page updated: 28 July 2009