About the framework
The New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) is at the centre of New Zealand’s education and training system.
All secondary and tertiary qualifications and credentials approved by NZQA or Universities New Zealand are listed on the NZQCF, and come with an assurance of quality that is recognised and trusted worldwide.
The NZQCF includes information about qualifications and credentials, including qualification types and levels.
It helps individuals and organisations understand the level of skill and knowledge someone with a qualification or credential has. It makes it easier for countries and regions to compare qualifications.
The framework is also important for recognising and helping to advance Mātauranga Māori.
More information
On this page
What NZQA does
NZQA maintains the NZQCF and sets the rules that ensure the quality of qualifications and credentials listed on the framework.
These rules apply to schools, kura and tertiary education providers such as universities, Te Pūkenga, private training establishments and wānanga.
The Committee on University Academic Programmes (CUAP) at Universities New Zealand approves university qualifications.
CUAP on the Universities New Zealand website (external link)
Structure of the NZQCF
The NZQCF is divided into 10 levels. Each level describes what a graduate is expected to know, understand and be able to do.
Skill and knowledge levels in qualifications and credentials increase from Level 1 to Level 10:
| Level | Qualifications | Credentials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certificate | Micro-credential |
| 2 | Certificate | Micro-credential |
| 3 | Certificate | Micro-credential |
| 4 | Certificate | Micro-credential |
| 5 | Certificate Diploma |
Micro-credential |
| 6 | Certificate Diploma |
Micro-credential |
| 7 | Diploma Bachelor's Degree Graduate Certificate Graduate Diploma |
Micro-credential |
| 8 | Bachelor Honours Degree Postgraduate Certificate Postgraduate Diploma |
Micro-credential |
| 9 | Master's Degree | Micro-credential |
| 10 | Doctoral Degree | Micro-credential |
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Read the level descriptors:
Level descriptors for the NZQCF
Read about each qualification type:
New NZQCF booklet
This document describes the framework. It includes the new visual representation, updated level descriptors and updated qualification-type descriptions.
These elements of the framework come into effect on 1 July 2025, and will fully replace the previous descriptions by the end of 2025.
Previous NZQF brochure
This document includes the level descriptors for the 10 levels of the framework and definitions for each qualification type that have been used since 2010.
These will be phased out and replaced by the new descriptors by 31 December 2025.
