New Zealand’s education system is divided into 10 levels. Each level corresponds to a specific qualification(s) and covers a certain number of credits (or instruction time). As a rule, one academic year consists of 120 credits. Admission to a high-level programme requires an equivalent qualification in a related discipline at a previous level or relevant skills and knowledge acquired through work or professional experience. Programmes of study may include various types of assessment: a test, an exam, a project or a coursework.
The Education Structure:
Certificates Levels 1-4 (40-240 credits, 3-24 months)
Level of Knowledge: from basic foundation to broad operational theoretical knowledge.
Requirements: good communication skills and responsibility
Level 1 Certificates
Level 2 Certificates
Level 3 Certificates
Level 4 Certificates
Diplomas Level 5-6 (120-240 credits, 1-2 years)
Level of Knowledge: specialised technical or theoretical knowledge with depth in a field of work or study
Requirements: completed secondary education
Level 5 Diplomas
Level 6 Diplomas
Bachelor’s Degree Level 7 (360-480 credits, 6-12 months)
Level of Knowledge: specialised technical or theoretical knowledge with depth in one or more fields of work or study
Requirements: completed secondary education, foundation programme or equivalent
Level 7 Bachelor's Degrees
Diplomas, Graduate Certificates or Graduate Diplomas Level 7 (60-120 credits, 6-12 months)
Level of Knowledge: specialised technical or theoretical knowledge with depth in one or more fields of work or study
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree, Diploma level 5-6 or equivalent educational or professional experience.
Level 7 Diplomas
Level 7 Graduate Certificates
Level 7 Graduate Diplomas
Bachelor Honours Degree, Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma Level 8 (60-120 credits, 6-12 months)
Level of Knowledge: advanced technical and/or theoretical knowledge in a discipline or practice, involving a critical understanding of the underpinning key principles
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Diploma or equivalent educational or professional experience.
Level 8 Bachelor Honours Degrees
Level 8 Postgraduate Certificates
Level 8 Postgraduate Diplomas
Master’s Degree Level 9 (120-240 credits, 1-2 years)
Level of Knowledge: highly specialised knowledge, some of which is at the forefront of knowledge, and a critical awareness of issues in a field of study or practice
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree or Postgraduate Diploma and professional experience.
Level 9 Master's Degrees
Doctoral Degree Level 10 (360-480 credits, 3-4 years)
Level of Knowledge: knowledge at the most advanced frontier of a field of study or professional practice
Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree and experience in scientific research
Level 10 Doctoral Degrees