To deliver a programme offshore that leads to a qualification listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credential Framework (NZQCF), all New Zealand tertiary education organisations (TEOs) must meet the:
- Programme Approval and Accreditation Rules 2022 and
- Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022.
Only universities and category 1 and 2 tertiary education organisations (TEOs) may apply for approval and accreditation to deliver offshore.
Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022
On this page
About these guidelines
These guidelines provide guidance for non-university TEOs, Te Pūkenga, wānanga, government training establishments and private training establishments, on applying for offshore programme approval and accreditation.
These guidelines need to be read in conjunction with the Approval and Accreditation Guidelines which provide guidance on the requirements for programme approval and accreditation.
Download the PDF version of these guidelines:
Go to the Approval and accreditation guidelines
When the Offshore programme delivery rules apply
The Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022 apply in the following situations:
- Offshore delivery of an approved programme, or part of an approved programme, by a New Zealand TEO.
- Partnership arrangements, where an overseas institution delivers all or part of an approved programme offshore, in partnership with a New Zealand TEO.
- Students are enrolled for one year with an overseas institution and two years with a New Zealand institution; the qualification is awarded by the New Zealand institution.
- Distance or e-learning delivery of an approved programme that is marketed to offshore students by a New Zealand TEO or an offshore partner.
When they don't apply
The Offshore programme delivery rules do not apply to:
- articulation arrangements where a New Zealand TEO cross-credits an overseas qualification, or part of an overseas qualification, towards a New Zealand qualification
- offshore delivery of all or part of a New Zealand TEO’s programme within an overseas provider’s qualification
- distance or e-learning to small numbers of offshore students who enrol in programmes intended (and marketed) primarily for students living in New Zealand
- other education services, such as consultancy and research, that are provided offshore.
Applications for offshore delivery
There are two main scenarios requiring approval for offshore delivery. These are where:
- the tertiary education organisation already holds approval and is accredited to deliver a programme in New Zealand. In this case the application is for the special programme approval and accreditation criteria for offshore delivery.
- a programme has not previously been approved for delivery in New Zealand, the tertiary education organisation needs to apply for both programme approval and accreditation as well as the special programme approval and accreditation criteria for offshore delivery.
This also applies where an offshore delivery partner will be used.
Information to be included in the application
The following information needs to be included in the application:
- Details of any approved and accredited programme that the offshore delivery application is based upon.
- A description of any changes made to the design and delivery of the approved programme to suit the offshore delivery context. This includes the effect of any changes made to the delivery that will affect learning outcomes, content, student workload and learner resources. The programme should be comparable rather than equivalent to the programme delivered in New Zealand. (Refer Rule 5.1) This acknowledges there will be differences in the offshore delivery context from that of New Zealand.
- Resources required to deliver the programme, including a recruitment and staffing plan.
- The language of delivery and assessment.
- Statements of acceptability to support offshore delivery of the programme from the qualification developer and relevant bodies and communities (e.g. academic bodies, employers, industry bodies, professional bodies).
- A description of how the TEO will demonstrate graduates of programmes leading to New Zealand qualifications at Level 1 – 6 will meet the requirements for assuring consistency.
- A description of the due diligence process used to determine the suitability of the offshore partner organisation.
Submitting your application
Applicants must use the online application form and clearly indicate in the first section of the form that the application relates to offshore programme delivery.
Information describing how the organisation meets Rule 4.2 (a) to (c) of the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022 must be attached to the online application form.
Using the evaluative approach
The decision to approve a programme or to accredit a provider for offshore delivery, is based on the quality and sufficiency of evidence provided in an application. The application should meet criteria set out in the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022.
Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022
The evaluative methodology enables decisions about quality, value and importance to be reached on a consistent and reliable basis, and requires NZQA to:
- be explicit about the information and evidence on which judgements are made as well as the logic of its interpretation, and
- write the outcome in a clear, concise report which explains the key factors and reasons for the final decision.
What is 'good evidence'
Good evidence is:
- relevant to answering the evaluation question
- obtained from more than one source (i.e. is corroborated or triangulated)
- of more than one type (e.g. quantitative and qualitative data)
- making sense in the context of the question.
Criteria for approval for an offshore programme
Refer to Rule 5.1 of the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022.
Criteria for accreditation for an offshore programme
Refer to Rule 6.1 of the Offshore Programme Delivery Rules 2022.
Accreditation provides an assurance that the TEO can effectively deliver the programme offshore.
Where there is an offshore partner, the New Zealand TEO is responsible for the actions and performance of the offshore partner in relation to the offshore programme delivery and must proactively monitor and report to NZQA on the quality of offshore programme delivery. This is to protect the reputation of New Zealand education and protect students from unfair outcomes.
Requirements to maintain approval and accreditation
Programme review
The New Zealand TEO should ensure that regular reviews of the programme and its offshore delivery are integrated into the organisation’s ongoing self-assessment and that the results of the self-assessment are used to improve offshore delivery.
Learner records
TEOs must maintain permanent and accurate student enrolment and achievement records.
Where student records are held offshore by a partner organisation, the TEO must ensure the security of records and the ability to access them from New Zealand.
On-site external quality assurance of offshore delivery will be undertaken within two years of commencement of delivery when the offshore delivery is in a language other than English.
The TEO is responsible for providing translated materials and interpreters as necessary.
The quality assurance site visit would be at the expense of the TEO.