Study opportunities in New Zealand

Secondary school qualifications
The New Zealand secondary school certificate is called the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA). It is officially recognised in New Zealand and has international status.

Tertiary and vocational qualifications
New Zealand higher education has 10 levels of study with level 1 being a certificate and level 10 a doctoral degree. Each level is progressive in terms of complexity and difficulty. Below are the levels and their corresponding qualifications:

- Certificates - Levels 1-4
- Diplomas - Levels 5 & 6
- Bachelors degrees/graduate diplomas - Level 7
- Postgraduate certificates/diplomas. Honours Bachelors degree - Level 8
- Masters degree - Level 9
- Doctoral degree - Level 10

All major education providers for the above named qualifications are registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).

English language qualifications
There are two types of English language schools - ones that issue qualifications and ones which don't.

General English
These are non-award courses preparing students to communicate effectively in the English language or for further study.