S2009/035 - 27 October 2009

Further advice regarding NCEA Level 2-Matthayom 6 Equivalency and University Entrance requirements for Thailand

Schools that are enrolling Thai international students should be aware that Thai students need a Matthayom 6 equivalence certificate to be eligible to apply for university in Thailand . Furthermore, there are additional criteria for students applying for university in Thailand (see below).

Matthayom 6 equivalence will be gained if a student achieves:

Option 1: 60 credits at level 2 or above in a minimum of five subjects. These credits are to include a minimum requirement of 4 credits in English (literacy) at level 2 or above and 4 credits in Mathematics (numeracy) at level 2 or above. (NB: To gain Matthayom 6, Thai students must have studied 5 subjects)

OR

Option 2: NCEA Level 2 certificate (at least 80 credits, of which 60 must be Level 2 or higher and the remaining 20 must be Level 1 or higher) .

Option 1 does not require a student to achieve NCEA Level 2. Option 2 does not require literacy and numeracy credits.

NZQA recently met with the Bureau of Educational Testing (BET) at the Thai Ministry of Education and both Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities. This was to discuss NCEA Level 2-Matthayom 6 equivalency and university entrance for Thailand . Clarification of the equivalence arrangement has been made through changes to the wording of the second option. It is also apparent that not all Level 2 credits are acceptable for Matthayom 6 equivalence.

Additional Requirements for University Entrance

Universities indicated they would be giving preference to applicants with NCEA Level 2, evidence of literacy and numeracy, and that students had studied 5 subjects. They need to :

• achieve NCEA Level 2
• study 5 distinct subjects (similar to a course of study a New Zealand student aiming for university would take at Level 2)
• achieve a minimum of 12 Level 2 credits per subject (preferably more, and the more Merits and Excellences achieved the better).

These expectations should be taken into consideration when finalising the course of study for Thai students. 

Subject choice

Schools are encouraged to check that students have investigated the pre-requisite subjects for their intended university study. For example, English, Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, plus one other subject are required for entry to a Bachelor of Engineering. Students wishing to apply for university should study a similar course of study to a New Zealand student aiming for university.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

BET does not accept ESOL as a subject in option 1. However, ESOL credits will be accepted as part of the 80 credits required to gain NCEA Level 2 in option 2 and can be studied at either Level 1 or 2 or a combination of both. ESOL can be counted as one of the 5 subjects required by universities if a student achieves a minimum of 12 Level 2 credits. 

Provision of results to students in 2009

For the current cohort of students studying in 2009, the existing provision of results remains in place. Students returning to Thailand must provide the following information to BET by mid-January to gain interim Matthayom 6 equivalency:

• a form letter (see attached) from the school stating the subjects (courses of study) studied and listing the standards contained in that subject at Level 2 and above. This must be given to students at the end of the school year.
• their Result Notice (available mid-January each year from NZQA).

2010 and beyond

From 2011 (using results from 2010), NZQA will provide a form letter for students to present to BET. This will mean schools no longer need to provide written confirmation of the 5 subjects studied as this will be detailed in the letter from NZQA. 

Assisting International Students to plan their learning

NZQA is aware that some of the subjects studied in New Zealand by international students are not appropriate for entry into academic tertiary courses. Schools need to ensure appropriate guidance is provided to all international students and their parents regarding their course selection, to ensure subjects studied in New Zealand are appropriate for entry into academic tertiary courses overseas, or appropriate for the student's future study or career path.

There is guidance for education providers on the Ministry of Education website in relation to responsibilities under the Code of Practice.

Please refer to the guidelines for International Students to help advise international students on how to plan their study when they arrive at your school and what they need.

Enquiries

A PDF copy of this Circular is available for download.

Please refer any enquiries relating to this circular to:

To receive these circulars by email enter your email address below:

Previous circulars

• 034 - 20 October 2009 - Implications for schools of changes to the way NSNs are generated
• 033 - 13 October 2009 - Clarification of random selection procedures for external moderation
• 032 - 13 October 2009 - Derived Grade Process
• 031 - 13 October 2009 - Reporting Assessment Results to NZQA from Other Providers
• 030 - 29 September 2009 - Internal Moderation
• 029 - 15 September 2009 - Clarification for grading of "blank" answer booklets
• 028 - 8 September 2009 - Payment of National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Fees for 2009
• 027 - 1 September 2009 - Suggested Times for 2009 NCEA and Scholarship Examination Papers
• 026 - 18 August 2009 - Clarification of use of the "V" grade code in data files
• 025 - 18 August 2009 - Examination Period for 2010
• 024 - 3 August 2009 - Change Proposal for 2009 Compassionate Consideration Process
• 023 - 10 July 2009 - Managing Examination Clashes
• 022 - 3 July 2009 - New Rules & Procedures for Further Assessment Opportunities
• 021 - 3 July 2009 - Format of 2009 examination papers
• 020 - 11 June 2009 - 2009 National School Qualifications - Examination Centre Manager Recruitment
• 019 - 5 June 2009 - Special Assessment Conditions
• 018 - 26 May 2009 - NCEA Brochures
• 017 - 8 May 2009 - Fees and Financial Assistance - 2009
• 016 - 8 May 2009 - Alignment of Standards with the NZ Curriculum - Update
• 015 - 1 May 2009 - Top Art folio exhibition - full venue listing
• 014 - 1 May 2009 - Assessment Reports for the 2008 NCEA and Scholarship Examinations
• 013 - 29 April 2009 - 2009 National School Qualifications: Candidate Information Sheets
• 012 - 24 April 2009 - Memorandum of Agreement and Rebates for National Qualifications
• 011 - 3 April 2009 - New Statistics Online for Schools
• 010 - 30 March 2009 - Top Art folio exhibition on tour
• 009 - 27 March 2009 - Update: Assessment Specifications for the External Assessment of Levels 1, 2 and 3 Achievement Standards and Scholarship for 2009
• 008 - 13 March 2009 - Draft Guidelines for Further Assessment Opportunities
• 007 - 13 February 2009 - Survey of Teachers - NCEA External Assessments 2008
• 006 - 30 January 2009 - Feedback on the 2009 Top Art Touring Schedule
• 005 - 30 January 2009 - Key Dates for National Secondary School Qualifications 2009
• 004 - 30 January 2009 - School Information Collection 2009
• 003 - 30 January 2009 - Circular Distribution: Proposal to discontinue hard copy distribution
• 002 - 16 January 2009 - 2008 National Qualifications Framework Results Release
• 001 - 9 January 2009 - 2009 Examination Timetable

archive of previous circulars