How the comparison works
A joint project was carried out by NZQA and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), and compared qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF) and the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
The comparison makes it easier for education providers and employers to understand how qualifications compare to similar local qualifications.
It does not guarantee that New Zealand or Ireland will automatically recognise a qualification as equivalent.
Comparing the levels of the NZQCF, the NFQ and the EQF
The table below compares the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) with the European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
| Qualifications on the NFQ | NFQ | EQF | NZQCF | Qualifications on the NZQCF |
| Level 1 Certificate | 1 | 1 | Unlevelled | |
| Level 2 Certificate | 2 | 1 | Unlevelled | |
| Level 3 Certificate Junior Certificate |
3 | 2 | 1 | Level 1 Certificate NCEA Level 1 |
| Level 4 Certificate Leaving Certificate |
4 | 3 | 2 | Level 2 Certificate NCEA Level 2 |
| Level 5 Certificate Leaving Certificate |
5 | 4 | 3 | Level 2 Certificate NCEA Level 3 |
| 5 | 4 | 4 | Level 4 Certificate | |
| Advanced Certificate Higher Certificate |
6 | 5 | 5 | Level 5 Certificate/Diploma |
| 6 | Level 6 Certificate/Diploma | |||
| Ordinary Bachelor Degree | 7 | 6 | 7 | Bachelor’s Degree Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma Level 7 Diploma |
| Honours Bachelor Degree Higher Diploma |
8 | 6 | ||
| Unlevelled | Unlevelled | 8 | Bachelor Honours Degree Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma |
|
| Master’s Degree Postgraduate Diploma |
9 | 7 | 9 | Master’s Degree |
| Doctoral Degree Higher Doctorate |
10 | 8 | 10 | Doctoral Degree Higher Doctorate |
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Read the full report
Comparing qualifications in New Zealand and Ireland – a guide [PDF, 1.9 MB]