Higher Education (Tertiary Education) System in New Zealand

Higher education or tertiary education in New Zealand delivered by the

• Universities
• Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITPs)
• Private Training Establishments (PTEs)
• Industry Training Organisations (ITOs)

Higher Education in New Zealand is managed by quality assurance system called New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) which allow that institutions are registered to enrol international students and ensures compliance with qualifications standards.

There are 8 universities in New Zealand which offer degree courses in science, humanities and commerce along with 18 institutes of technology and 600 training schools are there to offer you specialized training in engineering, medical, business, etc.

Types of programmes offered by Higher Education Institutes

Associate’s Degrees

If you do not know whether a Bachelor’s degree will be helpful or not, you can go for an Associate’s degree. Mostly theory based classes with some practical classes; the Associate’s degree will allow you to work immediately after completion of your course. You can later get a Bachelor’s degree by studying only a year extra instead of the required 3 years. However, the Associates degree is generally given for liberal arts.

Bachelor’s Degrees

New Zealand offers you a three years degree course in the undergraduate level. After completion of the first and second level, you can go to the second and third level respectively. For each subject, you have to attend a scheduled set of classes. All the grades received by you will count towards your final grade in the third year.

Postgraduate Degrees

You can achieve the following postgraduate degrees:

• Graduate Certificates
• Traditional Master’s Degree
• Professional Master’s Degree
• Doctorate Degrees