About tertiary education in New Zealand

About tertiary education

Tertiary education is learning after secondary school. It is also known as higher or vocational education.

You can choose from many study and training options, such as apprenticeships, other work-based training, academic study or short courses known as micro-credentials.

Tertiary education providers include universities, Te Pūkenga, wānanga, private and government training establishments.

Tertiary education providers offer flexible ways of learning.

NZQA quality assures and approves qualifications, programmes leading to qualifications, micro-credentials, assessment and skill standards for tertiary education providers, except for universities.

About education organisations in New Zealand

More information on each type of tertiary provider

Provider information

Types of tertiary programmes

Tertiary education providers offer a wide range of programmes and micro-credentials, such as courses that help you transition from school to work and postgraduate study and research.

Higher, degree-level education is mainly offered at universities. Programmes are generally research-led and academic.
Vocational degree-level education is offered at Te Pūkenga, wānanga and some larger private training establishments. These degrees are often focused on a specific career.
Te Pūkenga, private training establishments and wānanga also offer programmes focused on specific vocations or careers at certificate and diploma level.

Some providers offer vocational pathways leading to the award of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).

Recognition of prior learning

Tertiary education providers understand you may already have skills and knowledge from previous study, or workplace and life experience.

Your experience may be recognised and used to gain credits for a qualification. Find out how to get your experience recognised:

Recognising learning for credit

Funding your study or training

Students may apply for student loans, allowances, scholarships and Fees Free to study at a tertiary provider.

Apply for a loan or allowance on the Studylink website (external link)

Check if you're able to get free tuition on the Fees Free website (external link)

Find scholarship options on careers.govt.nz (external link)

Rights for tertiary students

As a tertiary student in New Zealand you have rights.

We require all registered private training establishments to have policies and procedures for student withdrawals and refunds. You should receive this information before you enrol.

Registered private training establishments must have adequate protection of student fees of NZ$500 or more, in the event of their insolvency, deregistration by NZQA, or partial or complete loss of accreditation.

If you have any issues with your provider you can make an official complaint to NZQA.

The Code

The Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 makes sure that tertiary and international learners enrolled with New Zealand education providers are safe and supported.

The Code sets out what education providers must do to ensure the wellbeing and safety of their learners.

About the Code