International - New Zealand Qualifications
The New Zealand Qualification for all students at secondary school is called the NCEA - National Certificate in Educational Achievement.
Students receive credits over a period of three years in each subject [Levels 1, 2 and 3].
These credits are achieved both by internal assessment and by external examinations at the end of the school year.
To enter a University in New Zealand, students must have:
- 14 credits in Mathematics at level 1 or higher
- 4 credits at level 2 or above in Reading
- 4 credits in level 2 or above in Writing
- 14 credits in each of 2 subjects at level 3
- 14 credits in no more than 2 other subjects at level 3.
These criteria for entering a University are the same for international students who have attended school in New Zealand as for New Zealand students.
Most other tertiary institutions, including Polytechnics at the present time will also accept students who have an IELTS pass of at least 6.0 in each Band, or appropriate level of TOEFL (see University website). Some may require a higher grade.
Foundation courses are available at both University and Polytechnics as a bridging course for students who are near to meeting the requirements. | 