Mō NCEA

About NCEA

About NCEA and why this qualification is important

NCEA is Aotearoa's main qualification for school leavers

NCEA stands for National Certificate of Educational Achievement.

It's the main qualification for school leavers in Aotearoa New Zealand

NCEA is:

  • sat at Levels 1, 2 and 3
  • part of the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF)
  • open to everyone
  • recognised in New Zealand and overseas
  • the qualification that leads to employment, training or further education.

NCEA prepares Pacific learners for success

NCEA is an important qualification.

Students with NCEA Level 3 and University Entrance (UE):

  • have further education options, including university
  • earn more on average than people who leave school with NCEA Level 2.

More than 160,000

students in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas sat NCEA in 2022.

Learn more about NCEA

How to achieve NCEA

Understanding secondary school qualifications and awards

New NCEA standards and information about changes - Ministry of Education website

NCEA ma le Pasifika

NCEA Me La Pas logo

Does your church, sports team or extended family want to learn more about NCEA?

NCEA ma le Pasifika workshops are fun and help Pacific parents and communities understand NCEA.

NCEA ma le Pasifika

Students in New Zealand and overseas take NCEA

NCEA is awarded in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau.

Pacific language resources

Find NCEA resources in Pacific languages

Learners can study lots of things for NCEA

There are lots of interesting subjects available at NCEA Levels 1, 2 and 3.

These include core subjects such as English, maths and sciences.

Students can also take subjects such as:

  • art
  • dance
  • health
  • journalism
  • languages (including Samoan, Tongan and Cook Islands Māori)
  • religious studies
  • technology
  • and many others.

Did you know?

STEM subjects can lead to well-paid and future-proof careers.

NCEA and STEM

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and maths.

These subject areas are very important for New Zealand’s future.

Did you know?

September 2021 data shows that around 45% of jobs filled in Aotearoa were in STEM fields. This number will continue to rise.

There are many reasons to study STEM subjects at secondary school:

  • they can lead to better paid, more secure jobs
  • STEM is an important part of New Zealand's key industries, including agriculture and tourism
  • there are skill shortages in related sectors such as IT, engineering and health
  • starting tertiary study in STEM areas will be much easier.

Learn more 

Pasifika in STEM

Gain NCEA credits for your Polyfest performance

If you perform at Polyfest, your efforts and performance can become NCEA credits.

To turn your performance into credits, your school will assess you against NCEA achievement standards in the arts. 

For example, you might be assessed on choreography in dance, or technique in music.

Ask your school for more information on turning your Polyfest performance into NCEA credits.

Learn more

Polyfest NCEA credits (external link) - Tāhūrangi

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