To maintain approval and accreditation to deliver NZQA-approved programmes, tertiary education organisations (TEOs) must meet the requirements set out in Rules 13 and 15 of the Programme Approval, Recognition and Accreditation Rules.
Programme Approval, Recognition and Accreditation Rules 2022
The requirements state that to maintain approval and accreditation, TEOs must ensure that the criteria set out in Rule 4.1 and Rule 7.1 continue to be met.
Criteria to maintain programme approval Rule 4.1
Criteria to maintain accreditation Rule 7.1
When NZQA requests it, TEOs must participate in programme monitoring.
We have a range of programme monitoring activities, which focus on 1 or more of the criteria to maintain programme approval and accreditation.
For example, we may carry out:
- a visit to the TEO and moderation of learner work samples
- moderation only
- internal moderation systems monitoring
- programme review monitoring.
We carry out the majority of our current monitoring activities at Levels 1 to 6 and Level 7 diplomas remotely.
Determining an overall rating for a programme
TEOs provide evidence relating to the relevant approval and accreditation criteria.
We use this evidence to answer a key evaluation question (KEQ) for programme monitoring, for example:
To what extent does the evidence provided demonstrate that programme delivery meets approval and accreditation criteria?
After answering the relevant KEQ, we determine an overall rating for the programme.
The rating is based on:
- our evaluation of the evidence provided and any issues identified
- the TEO’s self-identification of any gaps or weaknesses
- the level of action needed to fix any issues.
On this page
How we select programmes and TEOs for monitoring
We take an intelligence-led, risk-based approach to programme monitoring. For example, we look out for:
- patterns of concerning performance identified in programmes across the tertiary education sector
- TEO-specific issues such as poor programme delivery or assessment practice, or a change of ownership or governance
- programmes with specific risk factors such as high growth rates or low fees.
Programme monitoring priorities
Our current monitoring priorities are Levels 1 to 6 programmes across the following subject areas, including Level 7 diplomas:
- business and management, including hospitality management and healthcare management
- information technology and other related fields
- construction
- nursing
- cookery
- tourism and travel.
We're also monitoring programmes delivered offshore and online. As well as the effectiveness of internal moderation systems and programme review processes across a range of TEOs and programme subject areas.
About the monitors we use
Monitors may be NZQA staff, external (contracted) monitors, or a mixture of both.
All monitors have in-depth knowledge and experience in:
- assessment and moderation
- curriculum design
- programme development and delivery.
The monitors are responsible for:
- leading the programme monitoring activity
- evaluating the evidence provided
- drafting the monitoring report
- quality assuring moderation reports, where applicable.
We also contract moderators to verify assessment decisions related to programme learning outcomes.
The moderators produce detailed moderation reports. We summarise the findings in the overall programme monitoring report.
How we choose moderators
We choose moderators based on their subject area expertise, assessment and moderation experience and educational qualifications.
We have a robust conflict of interest process to make sure moderators are neutral.
The programme monitoring process
The programme monitoring report
The report shows if the delivery and assessment of the programme continues to reflect NZQA-approved documentation and the relevant criteria. It also identifies any rule breaches.
The monitors complete a draft monitoring report and ask the TEO for any comments on its factual accuracy.
After considering this feedback, we finalise the report.
About moderation for programme monitoring
The purpose of moderation for programme monitoring is to evaluate whether, overall, the assessment evidence provides assurance that learners meet the graduate profile.
Process
Moderators establish to what extent assessment materials and assessor decisions are fair, valid, consistent and appropriate for the level, given the stated learning outcomes.
The learning outcomes are those developed by the TEO and approved by NZQA against the graduate profile.
We make an overall judgement on the TEO’s assessment evidence, based on the moderation results and the intended graduate profile.
Moderation focuses on learner achievement
We only moderate learner work that has been awarded a pass or achieved grade because the focus is on providing assurance that any credentials or qualifications awarded to learners are credible.