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Choosing and starting tertiary study and training
Tertiary study and training options include:
- universities
- Wānanga
- Te Pūkenga – New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
- industry training and apprenticeships
- private training establishments (PTEs)
- government training establishments such as police or defence force.
Careers NZ has more detail about each type of tertiary and training provider and what qualifications you can get.
Study and training options – Careers NZ
If you are looking at private training establishments, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) has information about those that are recognised by the government.
Choosing a tertiary education provider – NZQA
Funding for study and training
You may be able to apply for a student loan or allowance to help pay for the cost of tertiary study.
student loan scheme annual reports – Education Counts
Entry requirements
Tertiary providers have different entry requirements. The best way to check what a student needs to be able to enrol in their chosen tertiary pathway is to check with the provider. You can also check what their term dates and enrolment deadlines are.
Apprenticeships and industry training
Students aged over 16 can participate in apprenticeships and industry training. Ask your local provider about options.
There are industry training programmes, called vocational pathways, that connect students in schools to 6 industry sectors. A school coordinator will take care of entry into these programmes.
People, food and fibre industries
Construction and infrastructure industries
Service sector
Community, health, education and social services
Manufacturing, engineering and logistics
Creative, cultural, recreation and technology
Youth guarantee for 16 to 19-year-olds
Youth Guarantee offers free tertiary programmes and vocational training pathways for 16 to 19-year-olds who have left secondary school with few or no National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualifications.
Enrolling in university
To enrol in university, students need a university entrance qualification. NZQA has more information about entry requirements. Universities also have their own entry requirements.
University entrance – New Zealand Qualification Authority
Find out more about entry requirements for each university:
Education organisations – NZQA
Starting tertiary training at secondary school
Some secondary schools have workforce or tertiary training opportunities that students can do in school, such as:
- Gateway programmes
- Secondary Tertiary Alignment Resource (STAR) programmes
- service academies
- trades academies.
You should talk to your school to find out what programmes they offer.
Careers NZ has more information about tertiary training at secondary school.
Start tertiary or workplace learning while at school – Careers NZ
Students may be able to get NCEA qualifications through these programmes. Careers NZ also has information about choosing the right NCEA subjects for the training, qualification or job your child wants to do.
