Coming to New Zealand for tertiary study

New Zealand offers world-class tertiary education.
Entry requirements are set by the education provider – check what they require before you apply.

Types of tertiary education

In New Zealand, tertiary education can be completed at:

  • universities
  • Te Pūkenga – the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
  • wānanga
  • private training establishments (PTEs)
  • workplace training
  • Government training establishments.

More about tertiary education (external link)

 

Find a qualification

Most education providers list details about the qualifications they deliver on their website.
You can also check details of qualifications on our qualification finder.

Qualification search

Entry requirements

Education providers set their own requirements for the courses they offer. Check their entry requirements before you apply.

In New Zealand we recognise that you may already have skills and knowledge from previous study or through your experience in the workplace, self-study or through life itself. For some qualifications this can be recognised.

Recognising learning for credit (external link)

Quality of New Zealand education

NZQA is responsible for quality assurance of all tertiary providers except universities. We assess and approve all qualifications, using an evaluative framework.

Quality assurance of New Zealand education

Studying with a New Zealand provider overseas

New Zealand tertiary providers offering New Zealand qualifications overseas must also comply with the NZQF Offshore Programme Delivery rules.

Rules for offshore delivery of programmes (external link)

If you want to check if a programme is approved for delivery offshore or online, you can email us at internationalunit@nzqa.govt.nz.

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