Types of tertiary education
In New Zealand, tertiary education can be completed at:
- universities
- Te Pūkenga – the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
- wānanga
- private training establishments (PTEs)
- workplace training
- Government training establishments.
Find a qualification
Most education providers list details about the qualifications they deliver on their website.
You can also check details of qualifications on our qualification finder.
Entry requirements
Education providers set their own requirements for the courses they offer. Check their entry requirements before you apply.
In New Zealand we recognise that you may already have skills and knowledge from previous study or through your experience in the workplace, self-study or through life itself. For some qualifications this can be recognised.
Quality of New Zealand education
NZQA is responsible for quality assurance of all tertiary providers except universities. We assess and approve all qualifications, using an evaluative framework.
Studying with a New Zealand provider overseas
New Zealand tertiary providers offering New Zealand qualifications overseas must also comply with the Offshore Programme Delivery rules.
Rules for offshore delivery of programmes
If you want to check if a programme is approved for delivery offshore or online, you can email us at internationalunit@nzqa.govt.nz.