Cyber security for the tertiary sector
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), along with NZQA, is leading a project designed to improve cyber security maturity across the tertiary education sector.
The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of cyber security; and provide guidance and support where it’s needed. The project team is setting up annual cyber security assessments for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) who want to participate. This is to:
- gauge current levels of maturity and identify the most effective ways to raise it
- clarify what additional support can be provided.
Details on how to register for these assessments will be on the TEC website in the next few weeks.
TEOs will also have opportunities to participate in cyber security workshops and webinars, and to take advantage of e-learning tools for their own organisations. There’ll be more about this on the TEC website as those events are finalised and scheduled.
You will find details on the project, including best-practice cyber security controls for your organisation, on the TEC website: Improving cyber security in the tertiary sector.
How to improve your cyber security (external link) - tec.govt.nz
On this page
Review of University Entrance requirements 2023-25
NZQA is reviewing the University Entrance (UE) award to ensure it is aligned with the changes related to the NCEA Change Programme due for completion in 2027.
For ākonga under 20 years of age, UE is the minimum entry requirement for admission to degree-level study at a New Zealand university. The review aims to ensure that UE continues to be a robust indicator of ākonga readiness for degree-level study, without posing unintentional or unnecessary barriers.
Currently we are liaising with an external reference group, including representatives from Universities New Zealand-Te Pōkai Tara, key stakeholders and peak bodies. These groups are providing advice and insights into the current operation of UE and potential options for the future. Further engagement with key stakeholders is planned for late March 2024.
Check out the 2023-2025 University Entrance requirements review page for more information.
Code of Practice
2023 and self-review attestation
Under the Code of Practice, TEOs and school signatories must complete self-reviews and provide annual self-review attestations to NZQA. Self-review is a core component of quality assurance and encourages education providers to engage in self-reflection about the effectiveness of their learner safety and wellbeing practices.
- Attestations for PTEs and wānanga are due 1 November 2023
- Attestations for school signatories are due 1 December 2023
- Attestation for Te Pūkenga is expected in mid-2024
Attestations for universities are managed through a delegation to Universities New Zealand.
Tertiary providers and wānanga will be asked to provide a link to their published self-review reports on their attestation.
Further information and links to the attestations will be shared beginning September 2023.
See Self-review and attestation to guide your self-review
Minor amendments to the Code of Practice
Three minor amendments have been made to the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021 to correct typographical and grammatical errors and remove a duplicated subclause. The amendments were presented to Parliament by the Minister of Education in May 2023.
The amendments are:
- In Part 6 of the Code, replacing the word ‘and’ at the end of clause 50(1)(a)(ii) with the word ‘or’ (correcting a typographical error)
- In Part 7 of the Code –
- deleting clause 73(1)(d) as it largely duplicates clause 73(1)(c), which is more clearly phrased
- correcting the grammar in clause 73(1)(e) from ‘designate at least 1 staff member is designated’ to ‘ensure at least 1 staff member is designated’.
For more information about the amendments see:
Guidance on complaints and critical incident data reporting
The Code requires tertiary providers to record and report complaints and critical incidents to key stakeholders, including learners and NZQA.
Complaints and critical incident data for 2022 needs to be included in your 2023 self-review reports. We have published guidance to support you with this requirement. The guidance provides advice on how to include complaints and critical incident data in the Code self-review process. It also gives guidance on how providers could publish self-review reports.
Level 7 Diplomas to become New Zealand qualifications
NZQA and workforce development councils (WDCs) have scoped the work relating to existing approved Level 7 Diplomas. This is so they can be approved, listed and accredited as a ‘New Zealand’ Diploma.
Educational organisations holding approval for Level 7 Diploma(s) should now engage with the relevant WDC to initiate discussions on reviewing their diploma(s).
The transition is required under the Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022 and the Programme Approval, Recognition and Accreditation Rules 2022.
If you are unsure which WDC to contact regarding your existing Level 7 Diploma, please contact us at Approvals_Accreditation@nzqa.govt.nz.
NZQA Monitoring and assessment priorities for 2023-24
During 2023-24, the Monitoring and Assessment team will continue monitoring a variety of programmes and non-university providers. The team will focus on these subject areas:
- Information technology and other related fields
- Health and wellbeing
- Enrolled Nursing
- Built environment
- Tourism and travel
- Hospitality
- Other subject areas previously identified as areas of interest.
Monitoring and Assessment will monitor programmes delivered offshore and online. They will also monitor the effectiveness of internal moderation systems and programme review processes across a range of programmes and subject areas.
All programme monitoring is carried out against the Programme Approval, Recognition and Accreditation Rules 2022. Evidence is gathered in relation to structure and delivery, regulations, assessment and moderation, resources and review processes.
Summaries of previous monitoring findings are available on the NZQA website.
Summaries of monitoring findings
For more information on the NZQA Monitoring and Assessment team and its functions, see the Monitoring and Assessment page.
Reminders
Unfunded international providers data submission
Now that the borders have reopened, PTEs need to submit their international student enrolment and provider data to the Ministry of Education. This data is used to calculate payments for the Export Education Levy. Providers must supply levy information and make a payment on a trimester basis (every four months).
If you are an unfunded PTE enrolling international students, visit the Ministry’s website for more information.
Paying the Export Education Levy – non-funded-PTEs (external link) - education.govt.nz
Student Fee Protection arrangements
If you are a PTE, we recommend that you review your student fee protection arrangements to make sure they still fit your needs and the requirements in the Student Fee Protection Rules.
Things to check include:
- Are our courses (still) exempt (i.e. under $500)?
- Have we got approval for the mechanism we’re using?
- Do we want to change our mechanism?
- Do we want to change our trustee?
If you want to change your arrangement, read through our student fee protection pages and email us at risk@nzqa.govt.nz to discuss further.
Student fee protection information for PTEs
NCEA Change Programme
If your organisation offers the NCEA qualifications, we recommend you pay a visit to the website of the Ministry of Education’s NCEA Change Programme.
What is the NCEA Change Programme (external link) - ncea.education.govt.nz
The website provides information, guidance, tools and resources about the draft achievement standards for Te Marautanga o Aotearoa and the New Zealand Curriculum and the new NCEA literacy and numeracy | te reo matatini me te pāngarau co-requisite.
The resources will support kaiako, assessors and organisational leaders to remain up to date with changes to NCEA.
Submitting applications for programmes of study in 2024
Level 7 Diplomas
Talk to your Approvals and Accreditation (A&A) contact for guidance before developing a Level 7 Diploma.
Programmes of study at levels 1-6
You can submit applications at any time. If you want to be ready for Semester One 2024, submit your application before 6 October 2023 for:
- new approvals and/or accreditations for programmes of study at levels 1-6
- Type 2 changes to existing level 1-6 programmes.
We are expecting a large number of applications in the second half of the year. We strongly recommend discussing your plans and timelines for submitting new applications to NZQA with your A&A contact person.
To find out your contact person, log into the NZQA portal, or email qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz, or call us on 0800 697 296 or (04) 463 3000.
Assurance Consistency workshops for 2023
We are continuing to offer free Assuring Consistency workshops in 2023, delivered via Zoom.
The three-hour workshops are particularly useful if you have a consistency review coming up, or if new staff need to understand the process and evidence requirements for future reviews.
You can register for a workshop below:
2023 Assuring Consistency Workshops
Keep up to date with new qualifications
Check out the qualifications and standards approvals page on the NZQA website for new approvals published each month.
The page is a monthly compilation of change reports for qualifications and standards registered on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. It is updated on the second Tuesday of every month.
Qualifications and Assessment Standards Approvals (external link)
NZQA processes
TEO issue of New Zealand qualification and micro-credentials achievement certificates
Specifications for the format of certificates for qualifications and micro-credentials can be found below.
TEO issue of New Zealand qualification and micro-credential achievement certificates (external link)
If you need copies of the NZQCF logos referred to, please contact our Client Services team at qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
Lapse of programme or micro-credential accreditation
If a programme or micro-credential has not been delivered for 12 months or more, the provider’s programme accreditation will lapse.
You can apply for an extension to programme accreditation or micro-credential approval before the date of any lapse by emailing qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
If your organisation already has approved micro-credentials, you will continue to hold approval for these. From this year (2023), existing micro-credentials will be aligned with new rules.
See Guidelines for micro-credentials (external link)
Keeping your PTE registration status current
Where your organisation has accreditation for only one programme or approved micro-credential, and it is not delivered for 12 months of more, the organisation’s registration will lapse.
To avoid this, you can apply for an extension of time to stop your programme or micro-credential from lapsing. This also prevents your registration from lapsing. Apply for this extension before the 12 months of non-usage ends by emailing qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
For more information about PTE registration see:
Guidelines for applying for registration as a private training establishment (external link)
Guidelines for maintaining registration as a private training establishment (external link)
Change of ownership
Registered private training establishments planning a Sale of Shares, Transfer of Shares or Introduction of New Shareholders need to apply for NZQA approval pursuant to Rule 6.1.1(b) of the Private Training Establishment Registration Rules 2022.
Applications must be made no less than 30 working days before the proposed transaction completion or settlement date. An application form outlines the information that NZQA requires. The application is submitted online.
Online change of ownership application form (external link)
Permanent delivery sites - what to apply for
If you are a Category 1 or 2 provider intending to deliver a programme at levels 1-6 or a Level 7 Diploma, please complete the Permanent Delivery Site Approval Form.
Permanent Delivery Site Approval Form [DOCX, 181 KB]
If you are intending to deliver a degree (levels 7-10) at a new delivery site, which is already registered with NZQA as a permanent site, please submit an application for that degree programme via the ‘other’ option.
The NZQA website has information about approving delivery sites, see Approval of delivery sites.
If you have any questions about programme applications, please email approval_accreditation@nzqa.govt.nz.
Coming up this quarter
| What you need to send to NZQA | Who needs to send it | By what date |
|---|---|---|
|
Providers with a financial year-end of 30 June 2023 | 30 November 2023 |
|
PTEs with a financial year-end of 30 June 2023 | 30 November 2023 |
| Audit of Student Fee Protection (SFP) arrangements Find out more about SFP Annual audit requirements |
|
30 November 2023 |
Quarterly student fee protection attestation
|
Providers not exempt: - static trusts - bank bond trusts Not required for standard trusts |
To trustee by 7 December 2023 To NZQA by 14 December 2023 |
|
Fit and Proper Person and Conflict of Interest declarations
|
PTEs only: - applying for registration - registered PTEs |
As needed |
Forwarding information and queries
Forward the above documents and any queries to: qaadmin@nzqa.govt.nz.
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