University entrance standard
Students are qualified for entrance to a university in New Zealand when they have obtained:- a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework, including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the National Qualifications Framework or approved subjects
- a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the National Qualifications Framework
- a minimum of 8 credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Māori; 4 credits must be in Reading and 4 credits must be in Writing. The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule of approved achievement standards and unit standards.
This standard is established by NZQA, as required by legislation, after consultation with universities and the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee (NZVCC).
Summary
See Standards fulfilling the literacy (the Reading & Writing) requirement for more detail.
Credits can be accumulated over more than one year.
If a unit and an achievement standard assess the same learning outcome only the credits for ONE standard can be counted. (In other words they are 'mutually exclusive'.) A list of such 'exclusions' is published each year.
Approved subjects
The Board of the Qualifications Authority has a list of approved subjects for university entrance. See University Entrance approved subjects list.
Discretionary and provisional entrance
For information about discretionary and provisional entrance to New Zealand universities, see the website of the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors' Committee.
Page updated: 03 July 2007