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other school leaver

Other school-leaver qualifications

 

Universities also accept a number of other school-leaver qualifications for admission to an undergraduate degree.

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CAIE

Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE)

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To be eligible for admission, 2023 school leavers must achieve the following*:  
 

Part A

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  • A minimum of 120 points on the New Zealand CAIE Tariff (see table) at A or AS level from any syllabus groups broadly equivalent to those in the list of approved subjects for NCEA. 

  • A D grade or better in syllabuses from at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills).

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Part B


Literacy and numeracy must be satisfied as follows:
 

Literacy


EITHER


An E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, English
Language 
and Literature, English Literature or English General Paper.

A D grade or better will satisfy one of the syllabus requirements of

Part A.
 

OR
 

As prescribed for University Entrance (UE) with NCEA.
 

Numeracy


EITHER
 

(i) A D grade or better in IGCSE or GCSE mathematics, or
(ii) Any mathematics passed at AS level. A D grade or better will satisfy
one of the syllabus requirements of Part A.

 

OR
 

As prescribed for UE with NCEA.

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* Requirements were modified for 2022 school leavers because of Covid-19 impacts. Modifications for 2020 and 2021 school leavers, along with normal requirements, are here.

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International Baccalaureate (IB)

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Completion of the Diploma (minimum of 24 points).

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An IB Diploma completed with English as Language A1 at either Higher or Standard Level and including any mathematics subject satisfies the literacy and numeracy requirements for University Entrance.

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New Zealand Certificate in Steiner Education (Level 3)

 

A completed Steiner School Certificate Level 3, including nine points in each of three approved subject areas, eight points in literacy (four writing and four reading) and nine points in numeracy.

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New Zealand Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) Level 3 Certificate (Year 13)

 

A completed ACE Level 3 Certificate that includes at least four credits in subjects designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra l (1097–1108) and English ll (1097–1108).

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Christian Education New Zealand (CENZ) Level 3 Certificate

 

A completed CENZ Level 3 Certificate that includes at least four subjects designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra 1 (1097–1108) and English 1 (1097–1108). 

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Overseas school-leaver qualifications

 

Universities accept a wide range of overseas school-leaver qualifications for admission.

 

Check university websites for up-to-date information.

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Additional entry requirements

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  • Some courses require you to have taken specific NCEA-approved subjects and gained a minimum number of credits.

  • Some courses require you to have taken specific achievement standards in certain NCEA-approved subjects.

  • Some courses also have other entry requirements such as a portfolio, audition and/or interview.

 

Selective entry

 

Selective entry might apply to some courses, especially for those with limited or competitive entry.

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Guaranteed or preferential entry scores

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  • Some universities use a rank score system for guaranteed or preferential entry into some courses, especially for those with limited or competitive entry. The score is based on the number of Level 3 credits you gain with Excellence, Merit or Achieved.

  • You may still be accepted into a course if you don’t meet the rank score but meet the UE standard. Check with the university for specific details.

  • Get the right advice: Check with the university to see if the rank score applies to you and how to calculate your score for that university.

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Targeted entry pathways

 

Some universities have special entry pathways for specific student groups – e.g., Māori, Pacific and students with disabilities.

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© 2026 by Universities New Zealand - Te Pōkai Tara
studentguide@universitiesnz.ac.nz

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