Information for secondary students and school leavers
NCEA and getting into courses and jobs
On this page
NCEA and apprenticeships
- NCEA food and nutrition can help if you want to train as a chef
What do I need?
- Many apprenticeships don’t have any NCEA requirements.
- Some industry training organisations (ITOs) recommend studying NCEA maths and English to at least Level 1 or 2.
- Employers and the Modern Apprenticeship scheme usually require you to have studied subjects relating to the trade you want to get into.
- It’s best to contact the relevant ITO to find out about specific NCEA requirements for the trade.
What if I don’t have NCEA Level 1?
- If you want to leave school at 16 and haven’t completed NCEA Level 1, some polytechs offer introductory level courses starting at Level 1 or 2. Other names for these are entry-level, pre-trade or foundation courses.
- These courses don’t guarantee an apprenticeship at the end. You still need to find an employer willing to take on an apprentice.
Search for information on how to enter jobs you are interested in
ITO contacts who can provide information about NCEA entry requirements
NCEA and university entrance
- Foundation programmes offer those without the NCEA requirements another way into university
What do I need?
If you are thinking of heading to university it’s best to stay at school and earn university entrance.
To qualify for entrance to a New Zealand university and some Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics (ITP) courses using NCEA you will need at least:
- Level 1 or higher: 14 credits in maths or pāngarau (Māori immersion maths).
- Level 2 or higher: 8 credits for English or te reo Māori. This must include four credits in reading and four credits in writing, and be from the NZQA approved list of standards.
- Level 3 or higher: 42 credits. Two of these subjects (14 credits each) must be from the NZQA list of approved subjects. The remaining 14 credits must be from two approved subjects or not more than two additional domains.
Some university and ITP courses will have additional entry requirements, especially where admission is competitive or restricted (eg engineering and medicine). It is best to check their websites for more details.
What if I don’t get university entrance?
If you don’t achieve university entrance but still want to go to university, there are other ways to get in:
- Cambridge A or AS-level qualifications and several other overseas qualifications are also accepted as university entrance.
- Many universities also offer bridging or foundation programmes which can be helpful. See each university’s website for more details.
- If you have not studied beyond Year 12, you may be eligible for discretionary entrance providing you meet the required criteria.
NZ Vice-Chancellors' Committee website – find out if you qualify for discretionary entrance
Link to New Zealand university websites
NZ Qualifications Authority website – information on reading and writing standards you need for University Entrance
NCEA, polytechs and institutes of technology
- You can try out polytech courses through the STAR programme while you are at school
What do I need?
- Entry requirements for courses at polytechs and institutes of technology differ depending on the type and level of study you are doing – for example, whether it is at certificate, diploma or degree level.
- Some competitive diplomas or degrees have higher NCEA pre-requisites, industry specific pre-requisites, or require University Entrance. Check the polytech websites for more details.
What if I don’t have NCEA?
- Some certificate courses are open entry, which means you don’t need NCEA to get in. You can use these to step up to a diploma, then a degree course.
Search the courses and training database for a specific course
Links to polytechs and institutes of technology websites
NCEA and private training providers
- Private training providers offer a range of courses
What do I need?
- Entry requirements for courses at private training providers differ depending on the type and level of study you are doing – for example, whether it is at certificate, diploma or degree level.
What if I don’t have NCEA?
- Many certificate courses are open entry, which means you don’t need NCEA.
Search the courses and training database for a specific course
Links to private training providers websites
NCEA and wānanga
- Wānanga offer study at many levels in a kaupapa Māori environment
What do I need?
- Entry requirements at wānanga differ depending on the type and level of study you are doing. Many certificate and diploma courses don’t require NCEA.
What if I don’t have NCEA?
- Some wānanga courses require an information seminar and selection interview instead of NCEA.
Search the courses and training database for a specific course
NCEA and finding a job
- No matter what industry you choose, employers look for the right attitude
What do I need?
If you want to get a job straight out of school, think about staying at school to complete NCEA Level 2. At NCEA Level 2, you are believed to have the foundation skills required for employment.
When applying for jobs it is a good idea to summarise your NCEA results in your CV. You can do this by:
- putting the results an employer would most like to see at the top of your CV
- listing credits towards NCEA, even if you haven’t completed a full NCEA
- listing any specialist national certificates you have achieved, or partly achieved
- highlighting any merit or excellence achievement standards.
What if I don’t have it?
Remember, an employer is looking for the ability to learn. If you need help with basic literacy and numeracy and you have left school, Literacy Aotearoa, polytechs, private training providers, and wānanga have teachers and courses that can help you.
NZQA website – information on organising your NCEA results for employers
Tips on finding and applying for jobs
Literacy Aotearoa website – find a literacy tutor in your area
NCEA and the defence forces
- Maths, English and science are useful for getting into the defence forces
What do I need?
This depends on the type of training you want to do. It is best to look on the defence forces’ websites for more details. A brief summary:
- To get into the defence forces you need to sit an aptitude test. NCEA Level 1 maths, English and science will help you to answer the questions.
- For combat roles in the NZ Army and the basic sailor role in the Royal NZ Navy you need a minimum of three years of secondary education, with eight credits in English and eight credits in maths at Level 1. For the most basic role in the Royal NZ Air Force you need 12 credits in English and maths at Level 1.
- For officer roles in the Army, Navy and Air Force you need University
Entrance or higher.
What if I don't have NCEA?
If you have left school without any NCEA credits in English or maths at Level 1, you can gain them by doing a polytech, wananga or private training foundation literacy and numeracy course.
Defence force areas with skill shortages
Royal NZ Navy website – NCEA requirements for officer and sailor jobs
NZ Army website – NCEA requirements for officer, soldier and territorial jobs
Royal NZ Air Force website – requirements for officer, aircrew and ground trade jobs
