Understanding the New Zealand Education System | Study With New Zealand

If you’re planning to study overseas, it’s important to know you’ll gain a qualification that will set you up for a great job or further study.

New Zealand is world-ranked in giving students the skills, knowledge and experience for a successful future. Our qualifications are quality-assured by the government, making them globally respected and recognised.

So if you’re thinking about studying here, take a look at our New Zealand Education Journey map to see where you could join our education system, and read more about the different levels below.

Download a copy of the New Zealand Education Journey map

No matter what level of study you’re ready for, New Zealand has high-quality, government-monitored education providers throughout the country.

New Zealand’s personalised, student-centred way of learning encourages school students to think critically and creatively, often working in teams to solve problems.

School starts with primary school, for children ages 5-10 (Years 1-6). Students follow the National Curriculum, which has a big focus on reading, writing and maths.

Intermediate schools are for ages 11-12 (Years 7-8). Years 7-8 are also taught at some primary schools and secondary schools.

Secondary schools (also known as high schools or colleges) are for ages 13-18 (Years 9-13). Students can choose from a wide range of subjects; many schools have options as diverse as marine studies, photography or Earth and space science.

If you’re at secondary school in New Zealand, you’ll work towards gaining the National Certification of Education Achievement (NCEA). It covers levels 1-3 of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

NCEA is used for selection by tertiary institutions in New Zealand. It’s also accepted by many universities and other institutions around the world.

Some secondary schools also offer the Cambridge International Exams or the International Baccalaureate.

If you’re interested in tertiary study in New Zealand, your options include universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) which have been unified into the Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology (NZIST), and private training establishments (PTEs).

Many offer flexible study options, making it easier to find a course or programme to suit your goals and budget.

New Zealand has eight state-funded universities, all ranked in the top 3% in the world. All are well recognised globally and work with universities in other countries on research and teaching.

You can be sure of the value of your degree – New Zealand has a rigorous quality assurance system to ensure degrees meet an internationally respected standard.

Te Pūkenga is a tertiary education institution established by the New Zealand Government. It is a network of 16 institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) across the country.

You can increase your employability with industry-specific training, giving you the chance to gain hands-on skills and practical experience.

Learning can take place at work, through internships and work placements, on campus and online. You’ll gain the qualifications you need and be ready to work when you graduate.

PTEs run practical courses to help you enter your chosen industry, such as travel, tourism and digital design. They have close ties with employers and tend to have smaller class sizes.

While PTEs usually offer certificates and diplomas, some larger PTEs also offer degrees.

All the courses offered by PTEs are approved by the New Zealand government and listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

Many international students study English before starting their academic studies.

If English is your second language, New Zealand has lots of options to help you improve your ability to read, write, speak and listen in English.

English language schools offer flexible courses all year round. Universities, ITPs and PTEs run pathway programmes to help students meet the English language requirements of their courses.

Foundation programmes provide a pathway between secondary school and tertiary study. They can help you improve your English to prepare you for bachelor’s degree study.

Whatever you decide to study, your qualifications will be featured on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).

The 10 levels of the NZQF cover a wide range of qualifications, from the secondary school qualification NCEA at levels 1-3 up to doctoral degrees at level 10.

Each qualification has met the high-quality standards set by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

When you’re considering a programme or course in New Zealand, you should be able to see what level on the NZQF you’d achieve when you graduate, as well as the type of qualification.

The NZQF levels are:

If you would like to stay to work in New Zealand after you finish studying, you should be aware that the level of study you complete will impact whether you can apply for a three year post-study work visa. 

You’ll need to have gained a qualification at level 7 or above to qualify for a post-study work visa.

If you study at levels 4 to 6 you can apply for a post-study work visa if your qualification is on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa list, You must also take a job in your area of study.

If you applied for your Student Visa on or before 11 May 2022 you may be eligible for a Post Study Work Visa, even if your qualification is not on the Qualifications Eligible for a Post Study Work Visa list. However, you must have an acceptable qualification.

Now that you have an idea of what level you might study at, the next step is to find a programme in New Zealand that suits you. Then you can look at how you intend to study; from studying in New Zealand to online study or starting your studies at home with a global pathway course.