Often referred to as the youngest country, in recent years New Zealand has emerged as an educational hub. Offering an extremely high standard of education and a good quality of life, in the surrounds of breathtaking scenery and at a reasonable price, it's no wonder that more and more international students are opting to study in beautiful New Zealand.
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New Zealand has various different types of institutions offering different types of courses and qualifications. All post-secondary education is called ‘tertiary education’, no matter what type of course or institution. New Zealand has strict quality assurance systems to ensure the qualification and education students receive is meaningful and internationally recognised. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) sets and regulates qualifications, including those offered wholly to international students, and only those tertiary qualifications and providers that are quality assured by a Quality Assurance Body (QAB) can receive financial assistance from the government.
Universities
There are eight New Zealand universities which run undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes. Universities are research-based and state-owned. The academic year runs from March to November (though some courses may start in January or July).
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics
Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics are state-owned and the academic year is the same as universities. Courses are usually vocational and skills-based, ranging from certificate level through to degree and postgraduate level. Qualifications are of equivalent merit to those from universities.
Private Training Providers
There are many of these across New Zealand, often offering courses in a particular discipline such as business or hospitality. They are also required to be registered with the NZQA. Private English language schools may also belong to this category.
Wānanga
Wānanga is the term for the Māori education providers which provide tertiary education and advanced study on Māori tradition and custom, usually in the Māori language.
There are ten levels of qualification in New Zealand:
In New Zealand, institutions registered with the NZQA will offer internationally recognised qualifications, however some private institutions may offer students qualifications they have developed themselves. It is important to understand that this may not be a recognised qualification. To ensure that you enrol on a quality course visit KiwiQuals, the New Zealand Register of Quality Assured Qualifications. All qualifications and institutions that have been approved can be found on this site. Also, all institutions that accept international students must be signatories of the Code of Practice. For a list of these signatories, click here.
For further information on internationally recognised qualifications and quality assurance visit NZQA, the government body responsible for assuring quality throughout tertiary education in New Zealand.
Last updated: 8 September 2011
