We monitor all programmes of study at Level 7 and above, other than those leading to New Zealand qualifications listed on the NZQCF.
The purpose of monitoring
Monitoring programmes of study provides NZQA and stakeholders assurance that a programme and its delivery continue to meet the criteria for ongoing approval and accreditation.
Monitoring is not intended to replace the actions taken by organisations to monitor, review and regularly improve the quality of the programmes they're responsible for.
On this page
Guidelines and templates
The guidelines for monitoring programmes leading to diplomas,degrees and related qualifications at Levels 7 to 10 provide detailed information about the process.
Monitors will use the degree monitoring report template to prepare the monitoring report.
NZQA annual monitoring report template [DOCX, 1.1 MB]
Report template for teaching degrees
To monitor Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degrees that lead to registration as teachers by the Teaching Council, NZQA and the Council have developed a monitoring report template.
This template reflects both the relevant NZQA Rules and the Council’s ITE Programme Approval, Monitoring and Review Requirements.
NZQA Teaching Council monitoring report template [DOCX, 1.1 MB]
Monitoring outcomes
If the monitoring process highlights any major concerns, we may ask the organisation to take steps to address the concerns.
If we continue to have serious or ongoing concerns about the quality or stability of a programme or its delivery, we may consider withdrawing accreditation to deliver the programme.
If the programme and its delivery are stable, the organisation can request self-monitoring.
Initial monitoring
When a programme is approved and an organisation has accreditation to deliver it, we appoint a monitor.
Monitor's responsibilities
The monitor is responsible for:
- coordinating the timing of the visit with the organisation at least 2 months before the proposed date
- conducting the monitoring visit to the institution
- providing us with a draft monitoring report no later than 10 working days after the visit. We then ask the organisation to confirm the factual accuracy of the draft report.
- raising any issues with NZQA which may have an impact on the monitoring process or outcome.
An NZQA evaluator may accompany our monitor for the first visit.
NZQA evaluator's role
The role of the NZQA evaluator, if accompanying the monitor, is to:
- inform the monitor of NZQA’s expectations and processes
- provide neutral and experienced management of the monitoring visit
- when necessary, provide a link between the approval or accreditation of the programme.
What happens next?
Once we receive feedback on the draft report's factual accuracy, we will amend the report if needed and formally issue the full report to the organisation.
Self monitoring
The monitor may recommend that an organisation asks us to set their programme to self monitoring.
This happens when the monitor considers a programme and its delivery are stable, and that all conditions for changing its monitoring status are met.
Self-monitoring involves external monitoring and the provision of an Annual Programme Evaluation Report (APER) to NZQA.
Submitting an APER
The organisation is responsible for carrying out the review process each year and sending us a copy of their APER by 30 June.
Costs for degrees and related qualifications monitoring
Charges associated with programmes monitoring are paid by the organisation delivering the programme.
Costs are charged on completion of the monitoring.