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Understanding New Zealand qualifications
Whether you’re studying at secondary or tertiary level, it’s a good idea to check that your study programme will lead towards a qualification on the New Zealand Qualification Framework (NZQF), because this means it’s quality assured.
Qualifications on the NZQF lay out a clear pathway to the level of knowledge and skills that you’ll have gained when you graduate, as well as what further education and employment opportunities the qualification could lead to.
When you need definitive information about all quality assured qualifications in New Zealand, the NZQF is where you’ll find it.
Levels of the NZQF
Handy tip
When you look at a programme of study in New Zealand, it should tell you which level on the NZQF you’d achieve when you graduate, as well as the type of qualifications – such as a certificate, diploma or degree.
The NZQF is divided into 10 levels, and covers a range of qualifications from certificates to doctoral degrees. The levels are based on how complex the learning is, with a level 1 certificate the least complex.
At secondary school, students work towards NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement), which covers levels 1 to 3 of the NZQF.
After secondary school, students who want to continue their study at a tertiary level can choose from a number of education options ranging from universities to the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (and its subsidiaries), private training establishments, transitional industry training organisations and more. Students may need to finish secondary school to study at this level.
Qualification types on the NZQF
Skills you’ll learn at each level of the NZQF
This table gives you details of what a student is expected to know, do and be after graduating at a particular level. You’ll see that outside of just competence, NZQF levels also expect certain attitudes, behaviours and attributes from students.
What you’ll get once you complete a qualification
Here are the components you’ll receive after completing a qualification on the NZQF:
- A certificate of your achievement: Provided to you by your education organisation, this shows you’ve achieved a level of learning and understanding that’s outlined in the outcome statement for the qualification.
- Addition of the qualification onto your Record of Achievement: If your qualification is listed on the NZQF, it will be added to your Record of Achievement. Your Record of Achievement has all the quality-assured (NZQF-listed) learning you’ve completed, and will be updated with each new qualification you complete.
Where to next?
Secondary Students
- Understanding NCEA
- Choosing school subjects
- International recognition
- Find New Zealand secondary schools