These guidelines outline quality assurance processes for tertiary education organisations (TEOs) other than universities that provide programmes of study leading to degrees and related qualifications listed on the New Zealand Qualifications and Credential Framework (NZQCF):
- Bachelor’s degrees
- Graduate certificates and diplomas
- Bachelor honours degrees
- Postgraduate certificates and diplomas
- Master’s degrees
- Doctoral degrees.
On this page
The guidelines
The guidelines for approving and maintaining degrees and related qualifications explain how tertiary education organisations (other than universities):
- apply for approval of programmes of study leading to degrees and related qualifications at Levels 7–10 of the NZQCF
- list qualifications on the NZQCF
- apply for accreditation to deliver an approved programme of study leading to a qualification listed on the NZQCF
- maintain approval and accreditation to provide a programme of study leading to a qualification listed on the NZQCF.
The regulatory authority for NZQA Rules is under section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (the Act). Approval and accreditation is required under sections 441 and 439 of the Act.
Guidelines for approving and maintaining degrees and related qualifications [PDF, 1.6 MB]
Section 452 of the Education and Training Act 2020 (external link) - legislation.govt.nz
1. Using the evaluative approach
The decision to approve a programme of study leading to a degree or related qualification, or to accredit a TEO, is based on the quality and sufficiency of evidence provided in an application.
The application should meet criteria set out in part 4 of the Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022, and parts 1 and 2 of the Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022.
The evaluative methodology enables decisions about quality and value to be reached on a consistent and reliable basis, and requires NZQA to:
- be explicit about the information and evidence on which judgements are made as well as the logic of its interpretation, and
- write the outcome in a clear, concise report which explains the key factors and reasons for the final decision.
NZQCF Qualification and Micro-credential Listing and Operational Rules 2022
NZQCF Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022
2. Programme approval of degrees and related qualifications
NZQA uses the criteria in Rule 4.1 of the Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022, and the following evaluative question to determine whether an application will be approved or not:
How well does the qualification and programme meet the stated purpose and outcome?
NZQCF Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022
2.1 Understanding the criteria
3. Accreditation to provide a degree programme
NZQA uses the criteria in Rule 7 of the Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022 to analyse applications for programme accreditation.
Programme Approval, Recognition, and Accreditation Rules 2022
3.1 Understanding the criteria
4. The process for evaluation
Diagram of the high-level process for evaluation of degree applications [JPG, 155 KB]
![Diagram of the high-level process for evaluation of degree applications [JPG, 155 KB]](/assets/Tertiary/Approval-accreditation-and-registration/Degrees/High-level-process-for-evaluation-of-degree-applications.jpg){kind=link}
5. Post-approval
6. Changes to approved degree programmes
Changes to a programme may be a result of ongoing quality management and improvement, or changes in the industry or sector.
7. Collaboration
This section provides guidance on how TEOs can work together to develop and provide programmes. This includes the information required from a TEO when a collaborative application is submitted.