Courses and qualifications in New Zealand
New Zealand qualifications sit on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), which makes it easy to compare levels. Your qualification level and study length also determine your Post Study Work Visa eligibility.
Levels of study
Undergraduate (bachelor's)
Usually 3 years (4 for honours or professional degrees). Level 7 on the NZ Qualifications Framework.
Postgraduate (master's & PhD)
Master's typically 1–2 years; doctoral 3+ years. Strong eligibility for the Post Study Work Visa.
Diplomas & certificates
Vocational, career-focused qualifications (Levels 4–7) delivered by institutes of technology and private providers.
Foundation & English (ELICOS)
Pathway and English-language programs that bridge into degree-level study.
Popular courses
Bachelor of Computer Science
Bachelor's 3 years
A three-year undergraduate degree covering software, systems, and computing theory, taught at universities with close ties to New Zealand's tech employers.
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor's 3 years
A flexible three-year science degree with majors spanning biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental or land-based sciences.
Master of Business Administration
Master's 1–1.5 years
A postgraduate management qualification for working professionals, combining strategy and leadership with New Zealand's practical, employer-connected teaching style.
Master of Engineering
Master's 1–2 years
A postgraduate engineering qualification for graduates deepening their technical specialisation or moving into an engineering career from a related field.
How you apply
- Apply directly to your chosen university or institute.
- Once you hold an offer of place and have paid tuition, apply for the Fee Paying Student Visa.
- Meet the institution's academic and English-language requirements (such as IELTS) unless exempt.
A note on the vocational sector
New Zealand's vocational sector is being restructured: from 1 January 2026, ten polytechnics returned to independent regional governance as the former Te Pūkenga network is wound down (fully closing by the end of 2026). Programs continue — just confirm the current provider name when you apply.
Official source: Education New Zealand.