Providers and partners

Offshore programme delivery

Offshore Programme Delivery Rules

Tertiary education institutions planning offshore delivery of a programme leading to an NZQF qualification must meet the NZQF Offshore Programme Delivery Rules (Offshore Rules).

The Offshore Rules supplement the standard programme approval and accreditation rules to ensure that offshore programmes have comparable quality outcomes to programmes delivered in New Zealand.

International students enrolling in offshore programmes and/or training schemes are not required to have a valid visa.  However, a valid visa is required to study in New Zealand.

A fact sheet with an overview of the Offshore Rules is available for download: Fact Sheet: Quality Assurance of Offshore Education - Offshore Programme Delivery Rules (PDF, 47KB)

Offshore Delivery Guidelines

NZQA has designed guidelines to assist institutions other than universities when making an application to NZQA for offshore programme approval and accreditation.

See the Guidelines to the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules, where you can also download a PDF copy.

Overseas resources for offshore delivery of education

Worldwide

UNESCO gives international guidelines for the provision of offshore higher education in UNESCO/OECD Guidelines for Quality Provision in Cross-Border Higher Education. This document offers a range of tools and best practices that assist with quality assurance of higher education delivered across borders.

The Code of Good Practice in the Provision of Transnational Education is produced by UNESCO and the Council of Europe and provides high-level principles for the delivery of transnational or cross-border higher education .

United Kingdom

The UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) is currently developing The UK Quality Code for Higher Education. This code is being phased into effect over 2012-2013 as it undergoes development.

The previous governing document for quality assurance of tertiary education in the UK is The Code of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Education. The code covers all areas of quality assurance, including guidance for collaborative provision and flexible and distributed learning.

Australia

The Good Practice Guidelines for Enhancing Student Safety is issued by Universities Australia. It applies to services provided by Australian universities to all international students. The code was revised in 2001 to take into account the increase in universities delivering education services offshore and through partnership.

 
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