You can choose from a wide range of tertiary study options to achieve qualifications and credentials.
We manage the quality assurance processes for all non-university tertiary education providers. This means you can be sure you'll receive quality training or earn a recognised qualification or micro-credential.
Our quality assurance system for tertiary providers
Search for a provider
You can find education providers and filter them by region, quality assurance status, and industry on our website:
On this page
About tertiary education providers
Tertiary education is learning after secondary school. It is also known as higher or vocational education.
You can choose from many study and training options, such as apprenticeships and other work-based training, academic study, or short courses known as micro-credentials.
You can learn at home, on campus or in the workplace.
Tertiary education providers include universities, Te Pūkenga, wānanga and private and government training establishments.
Types of tertiary providers
Apprenticeship providers
Learn how to get into apprenticeships on careers.govt.nz
Go to careers.govt.nz
Government training providers
Government training providers are:
NZ Police Training Service Centre (external link)
New Zealand Corrections Government Training Establishment (NZCGTE) (external link)
New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) (external link)
Checklist for choosing a provider
Step 1
Is the provider registered?
Registration with NZQA means a private training establishment (PTE) is providing a sound and stable learning environment.
Te Pūkenga, universities, wānanga and government training establishments are established by government legislation so do not need to be registered with NZQA. All providers, except for universities, are quality assured by NZQA.
Step 2
Is the programme approved? Is the micro-credential listed and approved?
Programme approval or micro-credential listing and approval confirms that a programme or micro-credential is based on clear and consistent aims or purposes, content, outcomes and assessment practices, and leads to an NZQA-recognised qualification or micro-credential.
Step 3
Is the provider accredited to run the programme?
Accreditation with NZQA confirms that a provider can deliver an approved programme of study.
Step 4
Has the provider had a recent external evaluation and review?
External evaluation and review (EER) is a periodic evaluation of a tertiary education organisation. EERs provide an independent judgement of the organisation’s educational performance and capability in self-assessment.
Find EER reportsStep 5
Has the provider signed up for the Code of Practice?
If you're a student from outside New Zealand, make sure your provider has signed up for the Code of Practice. This protects you while you study.
About the CodeWhen you've chosen your tertiary provider
Now that you've chosen a provider, get the right information you need to enrol or sign up.
You'll need to know:
- final dates for enrolling
- what information you need to give the provider
- costs and how refunds work if you withdraw
- information about learning resources, student support services and complaints.
Registered and accredited providers can give you all this information.