Review of University Entrance requirements

University Entrance is the minimum requirement to go to a New Zealand university, and is intended to provide evidence that a student has a reasonable chance of success at degree level study at New Zealand universities.

Last year NZQA established an external advisory group to provide input to the review. In March, a discussion document was released seeking stakeholders’ views on the initial conclusions of the review. More than 150 responses were received, including 128 individual submissions and 24 organisational submissions.

Deputy Chief Executive Assessment Kristine Kilkelly says that, following extensive engagement and feedback from the sector, “NZQA has concluded that the current University Entrance requirements remain fit-for-purpose and should not be changed now.”

However, there were two areas in which the review indicated that improvements could be considered:

• A process for the regular review and maintenance of the approved subjects list.
• A review of the list of standards that can be used to meet the literacy requirement.

“NZQA has begun work on these and will consult the sector before making any changes,” she says. 

The current requirements for University Entrance, which remain unchanged following the review, are:

• NCEA Level 3
• Three subjects – at Level 3, made up of:
  • 14 credits each, in three approved subjects
• Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
  • Five credits in reading
  • Five credits in writing
• Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
  • Achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
  • Unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required).

More information about this review can be found at www.nzqa.govt.nz(external link)