University entrance is normally gained in Year 13. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and the Council of the Universities have agreed that students will be qualified for entrance to a university in New Zealand if they have obtained:

• A minimum of 42 credits at Level 3 or higher on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) including a minimum of 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from an approved subject list, with a further 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional domains on the NQF or approved subjects
• A minimum of 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in Mathematics or Pangarau on the NQF.
• 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. These literacy credits are to be selected from a schedule of approved Achievement Standards and Unit Standards

Some degrees have additional requirements such as portfolios, auditions, specific subjects etc. International students should contact the University for further clarification of English language requirements.

Students MUST check the approved subject list to ensure that the course they have chosen is suitable for obtaining University Entrance.

Click here to check the pre-requisites for the University course they wish to undertake.

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Universities in New Zealand

In 2007 64% of all Long Bay College students went on to study at University.

University education in New Zealand was established in 1870 and has a similar tradition to the British university system.

There are eight government-funded universities in New Zealand offering a broad range of subjects in the arts, business and science. A number of universities have become well-known in specialist subject areas such as Medicine, Engineering, Law, Veterinary Science and Agriculture and Environmental Studies.

University of Auckland
Auckland University of Technology
University of Waikato
Massey University
Victoria University of Wellington
University of Canterbury
Lincoln University
University of Otago