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Helping education agents understand the NCEA qualification and the pathways it opens to higher study
Education New Zealand and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) collaborated to organise a webinar for education agents in December on the National Certificates of Educational Achievement (NCEA), New Zealand’s school-leaver qualification.
The webinar was well received, with 241 attendees, and featured a robust question and answer session at the end.
The session helped education agents – and by extension the international students they support – in better understanding how NCEA works, the changes introduced to the qualification in recent years, and how learners can access higher education in New Zealand and internationally after achieving the NCEA qualification.
NZQA Deputy Chief Executive - Assessment, Jann Marshall, said the webinar was a valuable opportunity to build understanding of how the NCEA qualification works.
“It is important for everyone working with international secondary learners to have some understanding of how NCEA works, and the opportunities it creates for learners wanting to continue their study in New Zealand or internationally.
“It was great that we could engage with education agents on the topic and answer questions.”
NCEA is a well-recognised qualification in many countries. New Zealand is also a signatory to UNESCO qualifications recognition conventions (for example, Lisbon, Tokyo and Global Conventions), which support learners with NCEA to work or study internationally.
About NCEA
NCEA is offered at three levels – Level 1 is usually attempted by students in Year 11 of schooling, Level 2 at Year 12, and Level 3 at Year 13 (the final year of New Zealand secondary school). NCEA Level 2 is generally the minimum qualification needed for some jobs and tertiary education programmes, while Level 3, with the University Entrance award, is the minimum standard for entrance into a New Zealand university.
NCEA is standards-based, meaning each learner needs to show they have skills and knowledge at a specified level (a “standard”). Each standard a learner achieves gains them credits, and credits build toward an NCEA qualification.
Learners are also required to meet minimum requirements for literacy and numeracy. There are multiple opportunities in each school year for learners to attempt specific literacy and numeracy assessments, and there is also a list of other standards that can be used towards these requirements.
A recording of the webinar is available to view here on the Resources section of AgentLab
NCEA resources for education agents, students and parents
If you have any questions about NCEA, contact internationalunit@nzqa.govt.nz.
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Thailand retention campaign launches to encourage long-term study in New Zealand
ENZ Thailand has launched a retention campaign to encourage students from Thailand who have previously studied here to return to New Zealand for further study.
Students who choose to continue their education in New Zealand will be eligible for an air fare scholarship (valued up to NZD $3,000), making it easier for them to travel and transition into long-term study. At least 25 New Zealand education providers have volunteered to subsidise the award.
The campaign has already generated strong interest. It was launched at the New Zealand Summer Pre-Departure Orientation on 1 March in Bangkok with over 240 students and parents in attendance.
The scheme will work with students or education agents providing proof of previous study. Once the students are in New Zealand, they can rebate the air fare through coordination with their agents.
Education providers involved in the campaign:
Universities:
- Lincoln University
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
Schools:
- Auckland Grammar School
- Cambridge High School
- Glendowie College
- Hamilton Girls’ High School
- Hillmorton High School
- Kaikorai Valley College
- Lynfield College
- Macleans College
- Massey High School
- Mount Albert Grammar School
- Napier Boys’ High School
- Newlands College
- Nga Tawa Diocesan School
- Northcote College
- Palmerston North Boys’ High School
- Palmerston North Girls’ High School
- Papatoetoe High School
- Pukekohe High School
- Rosehill College
- Waitaki Girls’ High School
- Whanganui Girls’ College
- Whanganui High School
If you are an education provider interested in being involved in future retention campaigns, you can email Jaruwan Pongjaruwat, Programme Manager – Thailand at Jaruwan.pongjaruwat@enz.govt.nz.
