Information for secondary students and school leavers
What are your tertiary study options?
There are plenty of study options in New Zealand. You can study all around the country, and education providers are flexible about how you work towards your degree or qualification. For example, you may be able to choose to study part time, or by correspondence.
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What course may be right for you?
When searching for a tertiary education provider, ask yourself and the education provider:
- What entry requirements are there for the course?
- What does the course cost? Can I get a student loan?
- How long will the course take?
- Where do graduates with this qualification work?
- How well recognised is this qualification in the workforce?
- What student support services does the education provider offer? (For example, learning support, student unions, medical care, counsellors, a library, etc)
- What are the average living expenses in the town/city where the provider is?
Find the right course for you using our courses database
"The more you understand the career and workplaces you want to enter, the better able you will be to prepare yourself. Don't be afraid to contact business organisations or possible employers for information."
Phil O'Reilly, CEO Business New Zealand
How can I work towards my qualification?
- Find the best option for you
You can study in several ways.
Youth Training courses
Youth Training is for you if you:
- are under 18
- have few or no school qualifications
- want to gain valuable skills that will help you get a job or into further training.
Youth Training courses are free courses that give you the chance to gain unit standards and work towards a national certificate. A lot of employers like people with good maths and English skills, so most of the Youth Training courses can also help you to improve in these areas.
Part of your course will involve work experience and you can ask to be placed in a work environment that interests you, such as at a hairdresser's, garage or office.
Generally, youth training providers will sit down with you, find out what sort of skills you want to develop and then work out a training plan to suit you. It’s that easy. They’ll also help you with your CV and encourage you to apply for jobs, if that’s what you want to do.
There is a wide range of courses offered under the Youth Training scheme, and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) website has a list of courses by region.
Youth training information on the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) website
Search the TEC website for Youth Training courses in your region
Read about young people who have achieved success while participating in a Youth Training course
Bridging courses
Bridging courses are for you if you:
- have not achieved the required entry-level qualifications for a particular training course
- are unsure of your ability to cope with the training
- want to see what it’s like before you make a financial commitment.
Bridging courses are often held in maths, English and science subjects to get you up to speed with a degree-entry qualification. Many providers also offer foundation courses so that you can learn essay writing, study and time management skills or get a feel for a subject area.
Full-time study
Full-time study means that most of your time is spent attending a tertiary institution.
This is the best study option if you:
- want to finish your qualification in the fastest time possible
- have thought about the impact on your current lifestyle and you are still happy to make the commitment.
Part-time study
Part-time study allows you to study and continue doing other things such as:
- looking after your family
- playing sport
- working full time.
If you choose this option, your qualification will take longer to earn than if you study full time.
Distance learning
With distance learning or extramural studies you can live anywhere in the world and still gain a New Zealand qualification. More and more courses are available through extramural study. If this is an option for you it is worth asking different providers if they offer courses through distance learning.
Distance learning may be the right choice for you if:
- you prefer to study from home
- you are an independent learner and self-motivated
- the course offered is ideal but moving is not an option.
E-learning is a form of distance learning that is Internet-based. Tertiary providers will advertise on their websites if they offer e-learning.
Summer school
Summer school courses are usually provided over the summer months. They give you the opportunity to:
- gain background knowledge or prepare yourself for further study
- become familiar with the demands of tertiary study such as time management
- retake a course or re-sit an exam if you did not pass it the first time
- shorten the length of time your qualification will take.
- Which learning environment suits you best?
What types of tertiary education provider are there?
There are many tertiary education providers in New Zealand. It’s important for you to choose the one best suited to your needs.
- Universities
- Polytechs and institutes of technology
- Wānanga
- Private training establishments (PTEs)
- Colleges of education
Search for an education provider in our tertiary provider database
Universities
If you study at a university you will generally find that courses have an academic focus. Course content is mainly theoretical.
Universities offer degrees, diplomas, certificates and postgraduate programmes of study. The most common university programme is the degree. A Bachelor’s degree usually takes at least three years to complete.
Degrees can be general, such as a Bachelor of Arts, or focused on a specific vocation, such as the Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
A general degree is a good option if you know the area that you are interested in. Then you can try out a range of subjects and work out which subject area you want to specialise in. General degrees give you a wide range of skills in research, information gathering and problem solving.
Degrees in specific subjects provide these skills and may also lead to work in a specific job or industry.
Polytechs or institutes of technology
Polytechs or institutes of technology offer courses ranging in length from one day to four years, including national certificates, national diplomas, degrees and postgraduate diplomas.
Polytechs or institutes of technology usually offer courses with practical experience. They often aim to connect you as a student with the industry and teach you relevant skills and knowledge.
Wānanga
Wānanga (Māori tertiary institutions) offer degree, diploma and certificates courses to all New Zealanders. If you prefer courses with a practical focus within a supportive Māori kaupapa (foundation) and a strong tikanga (culture, protocol) Māori environment, this is a great option for you.
Private training establishments (PTEs)
New Zealand has a large number of PTEs that offer a wide range of NZQA-accredited tertiary courses and qualifications, often in specialist fields. You may find that a PTE is offering the particular training that you are after. Some PTEs offer courses with no fees, but you would need to check this with the individual provider.
Colleges of education
If you are interested in studying childcare, early childhood teaching, primary teaching, secondary teaching, kura kaupapa or the administration of education, colleges or schools of education may be for you. Teaching diplomas and degrees usually take three to four years to complete.
What qualification can you get?
You can earn a number of different qualifications with tertiary study. The level you start at depends on the study you have completed at school. Entry criteria vary from qualification to qualification and may determine which one you choose. Work out which qualification you will need to get into the job or field that you are interested in.
