Choosing an educational provider

You can choose from a wide range of study options to earn qualifications. But how can you be certain you will receive quality training or earn a recognised qualification?

NZQA manages quality assurance processes for the tertiary sector (except for universities which have their own system).

An education provider can be any organisation supplying education and/or training and/or assessment services. For more information, see About education organisations.

Check out your provider

Before enrolling with a tertiary education organisation, you should check:

Is the education provider registered?

Registration with NZQA ensures that a private training establishment (PTE) is providing a sound and stable learning environment. Institutes of technology and polytechnics, universities and wānanga are set up separately by government legislation so do not need to be registered.

Is the programme approved?

Programme approval confirms that a programme is based on clear and consistent aims, content, outcomes and assessment practices which lead to a recognised qualification.

Is the organisation accredited to run the programme?

Accreditation with NZQA confirms that an organisation can deliver an approved programme.

Has the organisation had a recent external evaluation and review (EER)?

External evaluation and review (EER) is a periodic evaluation of a tertiary education organisation. It provides an independent judgement of the organisation’s educational performance and capability in self-assessment.

For more information, including EER reports and a list of providers.

If you are a student from outside New Zealand, you should also check if the organisation has signed up to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.

Ask us

If you have any doubt about the status of a provider or the claims it is making about a programme, contact the NZQA Quality Assurance Division.