Article Understanding NZ Qualifications: A Breakdown of Qualification Levels

Are you confused about NZ qualifications and their levels?

Our breakdown of the 10 tertiary nz qualification levels on the NZ Qualifications Framework (NZQF) will help you gain a clear understanding of what each qualification means.

Understanding NZ Qualifications and their levels - StudySpy.png

Understanding NZ Qualifications is important, and you might be wondering what on earth a bachelor’s degree is, what a master’s degree is or what's the difference between undergraduate and postgraduate… We’re here to break things down for each qualification and their levels in a New Zealand context, and what it might mean for you.

There are 10 tertiary nz qualification levels that exist on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF), from Level 1 certificates to Level 10 Doctorates. They are:

Level 1 certificates
Level 2 certificates
Level 3 certificates
Level 4 certificates
Level 5 certificates and diplomas
Level 6 certificates and diplomas
Level 7 graduate certificates, graduate diplomas and Bachelor’s degrees
Level 8 postgraduate certificates, postgraduate diplomas and Bachelor’s Honours degrees
Level 9 Master’s degrees
Level 10 doctoral degrees (PhDs) (Check out NZQA’s official explanation of the qualifications framework here).

Information about New Zealand tertiary qualifications should always state their level, for example, “Certificate in Snowsport (Level 5)” and “Certificate in Snowsport (Level 6)” and will have very different expectations of workload, and have different requirements for learners.

Use our StudySpy Course Search to find courses and qualifications that suit your level of study.

Updated 13 December 2023

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