Under the New Zealand Qualification Framework, there are 10 NZ qualification levels that exist. These are from Level 1 certificates to Level 10 Doctorates, as below:
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)
Certificate level 1
A certificate at level 1 qualifies students with the most fundamental knowledge and skills for work. This comprises of a minimum of 40 credits
Certificate level 2
A certificate at level 2 qualifies students with introductory or preliminary knowledge and skills for a field(s)/areas of work or study. The level 2 must comprise of a minimum of 40 credits
Certificate level 3
A certificate at level 3 qualifies students with knowledge and skills for a selected role(s) within fields/areas of work and/or preparation for further study. Level 3 must comprise of a minimum of 40 credits.
Certificate level 4
A certificate at level 4 qualifies students to work or study in a broad or specialized field(s)/ areas. Level 4 must comprise of a minimum of 40 credits.
Certificate level 5
A certificate at level 5 qualifies students with theoretical and/or technical knowledge and skills within an aspect(s) of a specific selected field of work or study. Level 5 must comprise of a minimum of 40 credits.
Diploma level 5
A diploma at level 5 qualifies students with theoretical and/or technical knowledge and skills within a specific selected field of work or study. This diploma is listed at level 5. It must contain a minimum of 120 credits from level 4 or above including a minimum of 72 credits at level 5 or above.
Certificate level 6
A certificate at level 6 qualifies students with theoretical and/or technical knowledge and skills within an aspect(s) of a specialized/strategic context. This certificate is listed at level 6 and must comprise a minimum of 40 credits at level 6 or above.
Diploma level 6
A diploma at level 6 qualifies students with theoretical and/or technical knowledge and skills in specialized/strategic contexts. This diploma is listed at level 6. It must contain a minimum of 120 credits from level 5 or above including a minimum of least 72 credits at level 6 or above.
Diploma level 7
A diploma at level 7 qualifies students with specialized and technical knowledge and skills within a professional context. This diploma is listed at level 7. It must contain a minimum of 120 credits from level 5 or above including a minimum of 72 credits at level 7 or above.
Bachelor’s Degree
A Bachelor’s Degree provides students with a methodical organized and rational logical introduction to a body of knowledge of a recognized major subject (or subjects, in the case of a double degree or a double major) as well as to problem-solving and related basic techniques of self-directed work and learning.
A Bachelor’s Degree involves a minimum of one sequential study program in which content is progressively developed such that it might form a basis for postgraduate study and/or professional practice.
A Bachelor’s Degree requires a minimum of 360 credits from levels 5 to 7. Some Bachelor’s Degrees, notably in professional fields like engineering, the health sciences, and law, encompass additional credits and will require an extended period of study. For example, an eight-semester (four-year) degree would normally be equivalent to 480 credits.
Of the credits required for a Bachelor’s Degree, a minimum of 72 credits must be at level 7 or higher. The degree should specify a spread of credit across levels so that the qualification demonstrates progression, reflects the requirements of the degree definition, and achieves the associated learning outcomes in a way that is appropriate to the subject area.
Graduate Certificate
A Graduate Certificate is designed primarily as a vehicle for degree graduates to pursue further study at an advanced undergraduate level. The Graduate Certificate is typically designed as a bridging qualification to postgraduate study for students developing educational, professional, or vocational knowledge during a new discipline, profession, or subject area and/or as a broadening or deepening of skills or knowledge already gained in an undergraduate qualification.
The Graduate Certificate requires a minimum of 60 credits, with a minimum of 40 at level 7 or above. A Graduate Certificate may provide the basis for postgraduate study.
Graduate Diploma
A Graduate Diploma allows degree graduates to pursue a major body of study at an advanced undergraduate level. The Diploma is often designed as a bridging qualification to postgraduate study as well as broadening knowledge and skills in a familiar subject or discipline, or developing knowledge in a new area.
A Graduate Diploma requires a minimum of 120 credits, of which 72 credits must be at level 7 or above. A Graduate Diploma may provide the basis for postgraduate study.
Bachelor Honours Degree
A Bachelor Honours Degree recognizes distinguished study at level 8. It may either be a degree in itself or a discrete postgraduate degree following a Bachelor’s Degree. The award of honors recognizes outstanding achievement, meritorious achievement, or a pass; these are also termed first-class honors, second class honors: first or second divisions, and third-class honors.
A Bachelor Honours Degree may be either a 480-credit degree or a discrete 120-credit degree following a Bachelor’s Degree.
Postgraduate Certificate
The Postgraduate Certificate is outlined to extend and deepen an individual’s knowledge and skills. The Postgraduate Certificate involves credits from a specified subject and related areas.
It recognizes continuing professional development or academic achievement in advance of a Bachelor’s degree in the same area as the individual’s original degree or Graduate Certificate or Diploma.
The Postgraduate Certificate requires a minimum of 60 credits at level 8. A Postgraduate Certificate provides the basis for further postgraduate study.
Postgraduate Diploma
A Postgraduate Diploma is meant to increase and deepen an individual’s knowledge and skills by building on attainment within the principal subject(s) of the qualifying degree, graduate diploma, or graduate certificate. A Postgraduate Diploma prepares a student for independent research and scholarship in the principal subject of the diploma. A Postgraduate Diploma can also be awarded the distinction.
The Postgraduate Diploma requires a minimum of 120 credits from levels 7 and above, with a minimum of 72 credits from level 8.
A person who holds a Postgraduate Diploma should be eligible to enroll in a Master’s Degree.
Master’s Degree
A Master’s Degree qualifies individuals who apply an advanced body of knowledge in a range of contexts for research, a pathway for further learning, professional practice, and/or scholarship. Master’s Degrees usually hinges upon a Bachelor’s Degree, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours Degree, or a Postgraduate Diploma. They may also build on the extensive professional experience of an appropriate kind. Their outcomes are demonstrably in advance of undergraduate study and require individuals to engage in research and/or advanced scholarship.
Master’s Degrees are constituted in one discipline or coherent program of study. They may be undertaken by taught courses or research, or by a combination of both. The Master’s Degree in at least 240 credits except where:
It builds on a Bachelor’s Degree with Honours or an equivalent qualification, or significant relevant professional experience, in which cases it can be fewer than 240 but no fewer than 120 credits
It builds on a three-year Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent qualification, in which cases it can be fewer than 240 but no fewer than 180 credits.
The Master’s Degree must comprise a minimum of 40 credits at level 9 with the remainder at level 8.
Doctoral Degree
A Doctoral Degree is a research degree whereby the students becomes an increasingly independent scholar who makes a considerable and original contribution to knowledge. It is normally the peak of study which begins at the bachelor level and reaches a stage beyond the masters. For the PhD/DPhil and therefore the named doctorate (e.g. DMus), the growth takes place under the guidance of recognized experts in the field of study and under circumstances that allow the individual access to appropriate research resources.
The contribution to knowledge is judged by independent experts applying to the modern international standards of the discipline. The trademark will be the individual’s capacity for substantial independent research or scholarly creative activity as attested by his/her educational institution and/or as demonstrated by submitted work. The major component of all doctorates is original research. The body of work that leads to the award of a doctorate is going to be one or more of the following:
a thesis (the Ph.D./DPhil)
creative work in the visual or performing arts (the Ph.D./DPhil)
a thesis or equivalent creative work in combination with coursework (the named Doctorate)
a creative job in the visual or performing arts (the named doctorate) with a thesis (The named doctorate)
Published work.
A Doctoral Degree requires a minimum of 360 credits and is listed at level 10.
