Understanding Tertiary Levels of Education in New Zealand

The education system of New Zealand offers a wide range of courses including diplomas to advanced degrees. There are several levels of the education system and each level. On each level, you'll find undergraduate programs like Bachelor's degrees, postgraduate qualifications like Master's and Doctoral degrees, and specialized programs offered by universities.

International students often have various confusions as far as pursuing higher education in New Zealand is concerned. NZQF has laid down many rules related to the levels of education and who can pursue them. The education system in New Zealand is very different from that of India, so the confusion that exists among applicants is understandable.

Read More: NZQA/NZQF Level System in New Zealand

Different Levels of Education in New Zealand

First, we need to understand the levels, and which degrees/diplomas/certificates are applicable at each stage. Here is a table explaining the levels of education in New Zealand and the relevant qualifications.

Level 7

Since level 7 is the starting point for most international students, let us start with the qualifications you can apply to, for the same and above levels. 

1. Bachelor’s Degree

Bachelor’s degree is supposed to provide students with specialized theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of study, which should be a recognized major subject.
A Bachelor’s degree course is developed in a way in which it forms a basis for postgraduate study and professional practice.

A minimum of 360 credits is required for levels 5 to 7 to complete a bachelor’s degree, which is normally completed in three years. In some professional fields like engineering, medicine, law, students are required to complete additional credits, which means a longer period of study. For these professions, you might need to complete 480 credits, which means your degree will be completed in eight semesters (four years). Out of all these credits, at least 72 credits must be earned at level 7.

2. Graduate Certificate

A graduate certificate is meant to provide further study option at an advanced undergraduate level. In a way, this course can be described as bridging qualification to a postgraduate course. Those students who wish to develop educational and professional knowledge in either a new subject or to study an already gained specialization in depth.

It is mostly degree graduates who earn an entry to this course. A graduate certificate requires a minimum of 60 credits with at least 40  credits earned at level 7.

3. Graduate Diploma

A graduate diploma allows degree graduates to pursue a significant body of study at an advanced undergraduate level. This diploma is designed as a bridging qualification to postgraduate courses as well as broadening knowledge in a familiar subject, along with developing knowledge in a new area.
A Graduate Diploma requires at least 120 credits, out of which 72 credits must be at level 7.

Read more: Education System in New Zealand

Level 8

Check types of courses available in tertiary level 8 of education system in NZ

1. Bachelor Honours Degree

An honours degree in New Zealand may be a degree in itself or it could be in the form of a postgraduate degree after a bachelor degree. An honours degree means that the degree was achieved with an outstanding achievement.

Honours degree year is usually reserved for those students who have a history of above-average performance in the bachelor degree credits which are relevant to the honours course.
An honours degree could be a 480 credit degree (four years), or a 120 credit postgraduate degree (one year) after the bachelor degree.

2. Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma

The postgraduate certificate courses are meant to deepen a student’s knowledge and skills in a specific subject.

A postgraduate diploma extends a student’s knowledge and skills in the main subject of either the previous degree, graduate diploma or graduate certificate. This diploma prepares the student for independent research in the chosen subject of specialization.
To pursue a postgraduate certificate, you need either a bachelor degree, graduate certificate or appropriate work and professional experience.
A student applying for the postgraduate diploma should have either a bachelor degree or graduate certificate/diploma.
Check: 6 Reasons to Study in New Zealand

Level 9

Check the types of courses available in tertiary level 9 of education system in NZ

Master’s Degree

Master’s degrees require at least a bachelor’s degree, bachelor honours degree, or graduate diploma. Since entry requirements are different for every college and course, it may also require relevant professional experience.

Master’s degrees are focused on earning a specialization in one discipline or area of study. The curriculum may include research along with taught courses.
The credits required for completion of a master’s degree are at least 240 credits. There are exceptions where if you already have a bachelor’s or honours degree, you may be required to finish the degree with credits lesser than 240.
The minimum eligibility criteria for international students to pursue a master’s degree is an international bachelor’s degree on par with level 7 on the NZQF.
Read: Types of Education Institutions in New Zealand

Level 10

Check type of courses available in tertiary level 10 of education system in New Zealand.

Doctoral Degree

A doctoral degree or Ph.D. is a research-based degree where the student is considered an independent scholar who has the potential to make an original contribution to the present knowledge within the chosen field.

Ph.D. is usually pursued under the guidance of established experts in the area of specialization.

The contribution to knowledge made by the student is judged by field/industry experts who apply current international standards to judge the value. The most important ingredients for a successful Ph.D. are the student’s capacity to carry out independent research with scholarly creativity.
A doctoral degree requires at least 360 credits. Here are the types of doctoral degree program options available -

1. Doctorate of Philosophy

These are better known as Ph.D. or DPhil. The qualification is judged on the basis of a final thesis. There might be some recommended coursework, but that contributes only to the preparation for research.

2. Doctorate in a specified field or discipline

Some examples are EdD or DMus. Research, scholarly creative activity, and thesis must be of at least two full-time academic years’ duration. Any additional coursework should be covered in one academic year.

3. Higher Doctorates

Some examples: DSc or DLitt. For higher doctorates, applicants are expected to have at least ten years of independent research experience and must have published extensively in scholarly books and reputed international journals.

Read more on:

• List of Private Training Establishments (PTEs) in New Zealand
• List of Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs) in New Zealand

To receive expert guidance on studying in New Zealand, contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.