How to prepare
University Admissions in New Zealand
Application deadlines for the February intake usually happen around November and May for the July intake. However, the precise admission timelines will vary depending on a student’s highest completed qualification, which may be NCEA, Cambridge CIE, the IB Diploma, a high school qualification, or a university qualification, and the chosen course or discipline. As such, students must plan and check requirements at least 6 to 12 months in advance, and submit the application to universities as early as possible.
New Zealand University Admission Application Methods and Requirements
University Application Methods
Application methods may differ depending on whether students apply online or submit their admission application directly with the required documents. Required documents can vary slightly depending on the university or department. As an official agent for New Zealand and Australian universities, SOL New Zealand provides comprehensive support, including university admission consultation, document preparation, document submission, admission approval, and student visa application services.
University Minimum Admission Requirements
The conditions below are the minimum requirements for university admission and may vary depending on the country, university, and department. Therefore, the detailed admission requirements and entry criteria may differ for each student, course, and institution.
Academic Qualifications
- Admission may be possible after completing at least one year of a university bachelor’s degree.
- Admission may be possible after graduating from high school with the completion of a recognised preparatory programme.
Application Documents
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
ㆍ NCEA Year 13: NSN verification required
ㆍCambridge CIE Year 13: candidate number or Year 12 report card required
ㆍIB Diploma Year 13: Year 12 report card required
ㆍAcademic qualifications: final academic transcript and certificate of graduation required - English proficiency certificate
ㆍ English course completion at a New Zealand language school
ㆍIELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent official English qualifications - Portfolio, interview, or additional documents required for specific university courses
NCEA
University Entrance requires NCEA Level 3 credits, including three Level 3 approved subjects with at least 12 credits each. Students must also complete Level 2 English with a minimum of 5 reading credits and 5 writing credits, as well as Level 1 Mathematics with at least 10 credits. These NCEA University Entrance requirements apply from 2020.
CIE
At least 3 A or AS level courses at the easiest level + D grade or above in required courses + UCAS Tariff points calculation at least 120 points + IGCSE, AS or A level mathematics with D grade or above + AS or A level English course with E grade or above
IB
Minimum IB score of 24 points or above
University Admission Pathways
University Preparatory Course (Foundation)
For students who have graduated from high school outside New Zealand, many universities offer Foundation courses as university preparatory programmes. These university preparation courses are essential for understanding the New Zealand education system before entering university. A Foundation course in New Zealand is generally equivalent to Year 13 and focuses on subject-specific study, improving English language skills, and building the essential academic knowledge required for university admission.
Upon successful completion of a Foundation course, students may secure admission to a university. In New Zealand, leading universities such as the University of Auckland, AUT, and Victoria University of Wellington offer Foundation programmes through the private education provider UP Education. Taylors College also operates recognised Foundation courses in New Zealand for international students.
Diploma Progression then Bachelor's Transfer
Through MOUs or formal agreements between partner universities and private institutions offering Diploma programmes, students can transfer directly to university bachelor’s degree programmes after completing their Diploma.
With an equivalent university bachelor’s degree curriculum and recognised credit transfer system, students can enrol in shorter Diploma programmes, graduate with a Diploma qualification, and then transfer directly into the second year of a bachelor’s degree programme. This pathway allows students to study bachelor’s-level content at a comparatively lower cost than studying directly at university.
