The common entrance standard in New Zealand (also known as University Entrance or UE), or its equivalent, may be met in a number of ways, some of which are no longer available but students who have met them are eligible to enrol at a university.
1. National Certificate of Educational Achievement
2. University of Cambridge International Examinations
The common entrance standard is being reviewed in 2010.
Older qualifications
4. New Zealand University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Examinations
5. National Qualifications Framework
1. National Certificate of Educational Achievement
To meet the Common Entrance Standard a student must achieve all of the following:
- a minimum of 42 credits at level 3 or higher, including a minimum of 14 credits at level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved list of subjects, with a further 14 credits at level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains or approved subjects, and
- a minimum of 14 credits at level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau, and
- a minimum of 8 credits at level 2 or higher in English or Te Reo Maori; 4 credits must be in Reading and 4 credits must be in Writing. The literacy credits will be selected from a schedule of approved achievement standards and unit standards.
It is possible to meet the common entrance standard without achieving NCEA Level 3. It is also possible to achieve NCEA Level 3 without meeting the common entrance standard.
NCEA Level 3 is generally completed in Year 13. It requires 60 credits at level 3 or above plus 20 credits at level 2 or above. To achieve NCEA Level 3 and meet the common entrance standard a student must gain the required credits and fulfil all the requirements listed above.
2. University of Cambridge International Examinations
Exams must be taken in New Zealand. To be eligible for admission candidates must achieve the following:
PART A
A minimum of 120 points on the UCAS Tariff at A or AS level from subjects other than the General Paper, including at least three subjects (other than Thinking Skills) in which no grade is lower than D.
PART B
Literacy and numeracy must be satisfied as follows:
Literacy
Either An E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, Language and Literature in English, Literature in English. A D grade or better will satisfy one of the subject requirements of Part A.
Or As prescribed for university entrance with NCEA.
Numeracy
Either (i) A D grade or better in IGCSE or GCSE mathematics, or
(ii) Any mathematics passed at AS level. A D grade or better will satisfy one of the subject requirements of Part A.
Or As prescribed for university entrance with NCEA.
3. Other qualifications
Admission ad eundem statum at entrance level:
Domestic students who received their schooling in another country may be eligible for admission on the basis of their school-leaving qualification. As requirements vary such students should seek advice from the university they wish to attend.
Other qualifications:
Other qualifications available to students in New Zealand may be deemed equivalent to the common entrance standard in two ways:
(i) on their own
|
Name of qualification |
Requirement for entrance |
|
Accelerated Christian Education |
A Year 13 Academic Certificate containing at least 4 credits in subjects designated Year 13. This certificate satisfies the literacy and numeracy requirements for university entrance through its compulsory components in English and mathematics. |
|
International Baccalaureate |
Completion of the Diploma (minimum of 24 points). An IB Diploma completed with English as Language A1 at either Higher or Standard Level and including any mathematics subject satisfies the literacy and numeracy requirements for university entrance. |
(ii) with some elements combined with elements of the common entrance standard
|
Name of qualification |
Requirement for entrance |
|
New Zealand Institute of Management - Certificate in Management |
Through credit inclusion as recognised by NZQA may contribute to the 'third subject' of the common entrance standard (i.e. a minimum of 14 credits at level 3). Requirements for literacy, numeracy and 2 approved subjects must be separately fulfilled. |
|
New Zealand Institute of Management - Certificate in Small Business Management |
Through credit inclusion as recognised by NZQA may contribute to the 'third subject' of the common entrance subject (i.e. a minimum of 14 credits at level 3). Requirements for literacy, numeracy and 2 approved subjects must be separately fulfilled. |
|
Enterprise New Zealand Trust - Young Enterprise Certificate (the YES Certificate) |
Through credit inclusion as recognised by NZQA may contribute to the 'third subject' of the common entrance standard (i.e. a minimum of 14 credits at level 3) in one of 2 ways: (a) completion of the YES Certificate, or (b) completion of the course requirements only (worth 10 level 3 credits equivalent to NZIM paper 836) plus at least 4 further credits at level 3 or higher, or a pass in another NZIM paper (worth 10 credits). Requirements for literacy, numeracy and 2 approved subjects must be separately fulfilled. |
Admission in all cases is ad eundem statum (with equivalent status) at entrance level. A fee may be payable.
Older qualifications:
4. New Zealand University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships examinations
The NZUEBS examinations were offered for the last time in 2003. People who have qualified for entrance by this mode may still apply for admission. To qualify for entrance a student must have achieved one of:
1. A grade of A, B or C in each of 3 subjects from the approved list, plus Higher School Certificate.
2. A New Zealand Bursary at ‘A' or ‘B' level.
3. A combination of NZUEBS A, B or C grades and level 3 unit standards* from the National Qualifications Framework in subjects on the approved list, plus Higher School Certificate.
*For this purpose 13 credits at level 3 in a single subject are deemed to be equivalent to a C grade in NZUEBS in that subject.
5. National Qualifications Framework
This provision was discontinued at the end of 2003, although people who achieved it by that date will be eligible to apply for admission in succeeding years. The requirement was at least 39 Level 3 credits in unit standards* from the National Qualifications Framework in at least 3 subjects on the approved list, plus Higher School Certificate.
*For this purpose 13 credits at level 3 in a single subject are deemed to be equivalent to a C grade in NZUEBS in that subject.
6. Earlier qualifications
One of:
- A grade of A, B, C or D in each of 4 subjects of the New Zealand University Bursaries Examination prior to 1993.
- An award of New Zealand University Entrance prior to 1986, by examination or accreditation.
For admission from Year 12 see Discretionary Entrance.