University Entrance through NCEA  |  Don't have UE?  |  Other school-leaver qualifications  |  Additional entry requirements  |

Other pathways

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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  |  International Baccalaureate (IB)  |  New Zealand Certificate in Steiner Education (Level 3)  |  NZ Christian Education  |  
Overseas school-leaver qualifications

 

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Cambridge Assessment International Examinations (CAIE)

New requirements* for 2020 school leavers

 

To be eligible for admission, candidates must achieve the following:  

Part A

• a minimum of 110 points on the New Zealand CAIE Tariff (refer table) at A or AS level from any syllabus groups which are broadly equivalent to those in the list of approved subjects for NCEA; and

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

 

Part B

Literacy and numeracy must be satisfied as follows:

 

Literacy

EITHER

An E grade or better in any one of AS English Language, Language and Literature in English, Literature
in English. A D grade or better will satisfy one of the syllabus requirements of Part A

 

OR

 

As prescribed for university entrance with NCEA.

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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 university entrance with NCEA

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*This change is just for Cambridge International students studying at high school in 2020, wanting to attend university in 2021, and is due to the impact of COVID-19 on their studies. Next year the UE standard will be the normal requirements. 

 

International Baccalaureate (IB)

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.

 

New Zealand Certificate in Steiner Education (Level 3)

A completed Steiner School Certificate Level 3, including 9 points in each of 3 approved subject
areas, 7 points in literacy (4 writing/3 reading), and 9 points in numeracy.

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

A completed ACE Year 13 Certificate which includes at least four subjects (i.e. 16 credits) designated Level 3 and passes in Algebra 1 (1097-1108) and English 1 (1097-1108).

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Christian Education New Zealand (CENZ) Level 3 Certificate

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

 

Overseas school-leaver qualifications

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

 

Check the university websites for up-to-date information.

 

Additional entry requirements

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

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

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

 

Selective entry

 

Selective entry might apply to some courses of study, 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 of study, 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 of study if you don’t meet the rank score but meet the University Entrance standard. Check with the university for the 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