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International recognition
For University entrance
Internationally, universities require foreign students applying for admission to have achieved the university entrance standard set by the country in which they studied. The same principle generally applies to other tertiary providers overseas.
By other countries
Australia and the United Kingdom recognise NCEA for entry to tertiary education. Although New Zealand does not have any specific qualifications recognition agreements at a government level with the USA, the two education systems are broadly comparable. New Zealand qualifications are acceptable for most purposes in the United States, including entry to tertiary education and employment.
Australia
Traditionally, Australia and New Zealand have recognised each other's University Entrance. NCEA level 3 results are recognised (as were Bursary results) by the Australasian Conference of Tertiary Admissions Centres (ACTAC) as the basis for determining students' entry to Australian universities, provided that applicants also hold University Entrance. ACTAC monitors the process for admissions to universities throughout Australia, and all states/territories use a similar approach for tertiary entrance ranking.
Each year in early January NCEA level 3 results for students seeking entry to Australian universities are aggregated by NZQA and converted to a percentile scale called the Interstate Transfer Index. This information is then provided to the Tertiary Admissions Centres and allows students with NCEA results to be treated equitably with Australian students for tertiary entry and selection purposes. Details of how to apply for entry to an Australian university are available.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, both the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS) recognise NCEA level 3. The UCAS publication 'International Qualifications for Entry into Higher Education' is a reference guide used by UK tertiary providers when they are evaluating school leaving qualifications of students applying for admission to UK tertiary institutions.
The UCAS publication is also used more widely internationally as an authoritative guide. Information about NCEA is included in the annual UCAS publication, and aggregate results are provided for some subjects so that admissions officers can determine the relative achievement levels of applicants from New Zealand.
NARIC provide recognition service and comparability information of international qualifications from countries worldwide with those in the UK. NARIC recognises that students with University Entrance and NCEA level 3, with some Merits/Excellences in subjects to be studied at higher education institutions, are considered comparable to those with the overall GCE Advanced standard.
Last updated: 12 February 2008