Tertiary Degree Entry Requirements
(Covers popular tertiary providers for MRGS students and is only applicable to school students and school leavers studying NCEA)
PLEASE visit the Career Centre if you wish to know more.
The information on Degree Entry Requirements covers NCEA degree entry requirements for the Auckland region and other commonly attended providers.
If you don't think you are going to make the entry requirements of the degree of your choice, ask at the Career Department or approach providers directly for staircasing options available to students without NCEA University Entrance, such as foundation certificate courses or diploma level courses. These are not included in the information below.
IELTS!!!
International and new migrant students MUST double check the IELTS requirements of the institution they wish to attend.
Generally speaking, international students enrolled in Yr 13 and studying NCEA UE are accepted on their NCEA English literacy credits and not IELTS. HOWEVER: Some providers require IELTS as well. A couple of providers will look at IELTS as an alternative on a case by case basis. Do not presume anything!
University of Auckland: www.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/home/about/admission-and-enrolment/ae-undergraduate-students/ae-entry-requirements
AUT University: www.aut.ac.nz/study-at-aut/study-areas On this link check out the specific entry requirements for the programmes you are interested in applying for.
Massey University: www.massey.ac.nz/massey/admission/entry-requirements/nz_citizens_permanent_residents/undergraduate.cfm
On the above link for Massey University, read NCEA requirements, then check whether there are specific requirements for the degree you are applying for. When you click into your chosen degree, click on to the 'Planning' button for specific entry requirements, over and above NCEA UE.
University of Waikato: www.waikato.ac.nz/study/qualifications/undergrad.shtml
Victoria University: www.victoria.ac.nz/home/admisenrol/admission/undergraduate-admission/nzue After checking this out, find out if there are specific entry requirements for your chosen degree.
University of Canterbury: www.canterbury.ac.nz/admissions/entrance_req/ncea.shtml Use this link to check out whether you have NCEA UE and find the link to the preferential entry score on this page. Then find out if there are any specific entry requirements for your chosen degree.
University of Otago: www.otago.ac.nz/study/entrance/ Use this link to check out whether you have NCEA UE. Then find out if there are any specific entry requirements for your chosen degree. International students - click on the link on this page and find out if there are any specific entry requirements requirements for your undergraduate degree.
Australian University Admission
Students wanting to apply to an Australian University need to get organised early because application dates close much earlier than in New Zealand, with the first closing as early as July.
Please check the websites of your universities of choice to find application closing dates.
You apply to the Tertiary Admissions Centre in the state where the university is based, not directly the university. There are seven admission centres.
All university websites have links to their Admissions Centre so it is not difficult to work out which Admissions Centre you need. Of course you can discuss courses with individual universities beforehand.
Each student can give up to nine course preferences but you can change these preferences until the beginning of January.
Universities Australia Website
How Australian Tertiary Entry Works
In Australia all Year 12 (equivalent to NZ Year 13) school leavers are given an Australian national tertiary score between 1 and 100. When a NZ student applies to a tertiary admission centre, the centre instructs NZQA to send the student’s NCEA Level 3 results to them as soon as they are available. A calculation is performed on your NCEA results to get them to the equivalent of an Australian score.
Each university has a Cut Off Score which is their minimum entry requirement. These scores can vary between universities and between disciplines. Have a look at the Good Universities Guide below:
The Good Universities Guide
NB: New Zealand Permanent Residents are considered International students in Australia.
New Zealand citizens have the same entry rights as Australian citizens. They pay the same tertiary fees, BUT New Zealand students DO NOT have access to the Australian Student Loan system.
As New Zealand ctizens, you must pay fees up front. The fees for 2012 are around $AUS6,000 - $AUS10,000.
Which University should I choose?
The Australian National University recommends you look at the Group of Eight:
• Australia National University
• University of Sydney
• University of New South Wales
• Monash
• University of Melbourne
• University of Adelaide
• University of Western Australia
• University of Queensland
There is also a resource, The Good Universities Guide, that has a pile of information about tertiary study in Australia, including a section– that you must pay to use – that provides ratings on Australian universities. We do not know what these ratings are based on, so we are neutral about recommending them.
Diploma Entry Requirements
Diploma Entry Requirements
Please check the individual institutions' websites and prospectus for diploma entry requirements.
Entry into diploma level study is usually based on NCEA Level 2 grades as opposed to entry into degree level study which is based on NCEA Level 3 grades. For both diploma and degree level study there are usually English language requirements. Students can move into diplomas after successfully completing certificate study in a similar area. Most institutions expect students to be 16 years old at least when the course begins.
Diploma qualifications traditionally have been used to bridge into degree level study for students without degree entry requirements. Students can also enter entry level jobs through diploma qualifications.
Diplomas normally require two years of full-time study. They are usually registered at Level 5 or Level 6.
Some diplomas are called 'National Diplomas or 'New Zealand' Diplomas. These titles indicate the course material will be the same throughout New Zealand, no matter who is offering the course.
Please check the individual institutions' websites and prospectuses for diploma entry requirements.
Trade Training and Industry Options
Trade training and industry options include Modern Apprenticeships and other training. It usually involves working in the workplace and earning at the same time. The length of training can vary.
Apprenticeships tend to take three to four years. You start on a low hourly rate that increases as you gain skills and become more helpful to your employer.
As well as learning alongside experienced tradespeople, you also do theory. The theory is done by attending regular days, block courses or night classes at a training provider, such as Unitec or Manukau Institute of Technology. With some trades you work at home on units that you then send into the provider for assessment.
The training is designed with industry in mind by Industry Training Organisations (ITOs). There are currently 40 ITOs ranging from agriculture and boating to plumbing, tourism and sport. You can contact the ITOs to talk about the type of apprenticeships and traineeships available. However we find some ITOs are much more supportive than others in helping school leavers find apprenticeships.
If an employer asks you to do a work trial, do it willingly because work trials often lead to employment. However, try and get an agreement on the length of time for the trial. More than 3 months is not fair.
Apprentices qualify with a Level 4 National Certificate (a modern version of a Trade Certificate) once they have passed all the practical unit standards in the workplace and completed the theoretical unit standards. Because they are earning as they learn, they avoid having a huge student loan to pay back.
Check out Tools4Work pre apprenticeship scholarships
Click here to learn more about industry and trade training.
Click here for Industry Training Organisation contacts.
Defence Forces and Police
Are you a team player with good analytical skills, great interpersonal communication, and high levels of initiative? If so, you may have what it takes to undertake training for a career in the New Zealand Police, or one of the Defence Forces: Army, Navy or Airforce.
These careers involve shift work in a range of different environments. You also need to be highly disciplined with a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to your team, organisation and country.
New Zealand Police:
New Zealand Police www.newcops.co.nz are based in towns and communities around New Zealand, as well as participating in peace keeping forces overseas. After a two year probationary period as a Constable, you can specialise in areas such as armed offenders squad, cultural liaison, dog handling, dive squad or detective work etc.
New Zealand Defence Forces:
There are dozens of careers to consider within New Zealand Defence Forces. The forces are involved in peacekeeping and civil assistance, and less often in armed combat.
The New Zealand Army includes trades people such as electrician, plumber and cook, as well as combat positions such as rifleman, field engineer or gunner.
The Royal New Zealand Navy also has trades people, as well as positions such as navigator, engineers, medics, marine technician, seaman combat specialist and supply officer or weapons engineer.
The Royal New Zealand Airforce (RNZAF) includes ground crew as well as aircrew. Ground crew work in areas such as supplies, communication and information systems, and air security. Aircrew roles include parachute jump instructors, pilots and air warfare officers.
New Zealand Scholarships
Scholarships
There are hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships on offer to school leavers throughout New Zealand through individuals, organizations, foundations and tertiary providers. You may be lucky enough to be on the receiving end – but only if you apply.
Tertiary institutions offer scholarships to Year 13 students who have demonstrated academic excellence. Some scholarships take into account the student’s contribution to their communities; others are aimed at students in severe financial need. There are also specific scholarships for Maori and Polynesian students.
Individual organisations also offer scholarships to encourage students to enter their fields, eg accounting, agriculture, law, teaching.
General Scholarship Databases
The following is a list of websites that provide information on scholarships available for tertiary study. This is a comprehensive but not exhaustive list.
Breakout
BreakOut is a large database of information on scholarships, awards and grants available for tertiary study. It can be accessed for free through iLearn. You must access iLearn through Firefox in order for it to open. On the homepage of iLearn, you will find Breakout on the menu.
Tools4Work pre apprenticeship scholarships
Tools4Work scholarships are available to people interested in doing a pre apprenticeship course in mechanical engineering. The scholarship pays up to $2500 toward study fees AFTER you successfully pass the course. Need to have a passion for engineering and for working with your hands.
Keystone Trust Student Scholarship
Keystone Trust Scholarships for students interested in entering the property industry – architecture, engineering, quantity surveying, construction, real estate, valuation and property management.
NZVCC
The New Zealand Vice-Chancellor’s Committee administers over 40 undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships. To access information on the website see ‘Scholarships’ tag under ‘Student Info’ section on homepage
TeachNZ
Scholarships for teacher recruitment. See ‘Scholarship’ link on homepage.
Maori Education Trust
Provide and administer scholarships in education for Maori students www.maorieducation.org.nz
Scholarshipnet
A scholarship database for international students studying in New Zealand and New Zealand students who want to study overseas www.scholarshipnet.info
newzealandeducated.com
Information on study awards for New Zealand students wanting to study abroad and international students wanting to study in New Zealand. Follow ‘Institutions and Courses’ link on homepage.
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Scholarships from Tertiary Institutions
See the links below for specific information and scholarship criteria for tertiary institutions. Often the tertiary institutions link you to other scholarship databases as well.
AUT
Mt Roskill Grammar is allocated one Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for academic excellence and contribution to school and wider community activities. See Year 13 Academic Deans for more information. Other scholarships are available for first year study. Follow the ‘Scholarships’ link on the homepage.
Massey University
Various scholarships are available for first year university study. Follow the ‘Scholarships’ link on the homepage.
Manukau Institute of Technology (M.I.T.)
Various scholarships are available for first year tertiary study. Follow the ‘Finance and Grants’ section under the ‘Students’ link on the homepage.
Lincoln University (Christchurch)
Various scholarships are available for first year university study. Follow the ‘Scholarships’ section under the ‘Studying at Lincoln’ link on the homepage.
Unitec New Zealand
Study awards are available for first year tertiary study. Follow the section ‘Study Awards’ under the ’Enrolment’ link. Also check out the ‘Loans and Allowances’ section in the ‘Enrolment’ link.
University of Auckland
Various general and faculty specific scholarships are available as well as Jubilee Awards for students in financial need. More information is available here.
University of Canterbury (Christchurch)
Various general and faculty specific scholarships are available. More information is available here.
University of Otago (Dunedin)
Various scholarships, including a scholarship for Dux of the school, are available for the first year of tertiary study. More information is available here.
University of Waikato (Hamilton)
Various scholarships, including a large number of school leaver scholarships and ones for sporting excellence at representative level, are available for first year of tertiary study. More information is available here.
Victoria University (Wellington)
Various scholarships, including a large number of school leaver scholarships for academic excellence, are available for first year of tertiary study. Check out the ‘Scholarships’ Quick Link on the homepage.
Application Closing Dates for 2014 courses
Application closing dates are not available as yet for 2014. Use these dates for 2013 courses as a guide for likely closing dates for 2014.