Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Applied Science (Level 4)
Version
1
Type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
60
NZSCED
010000
Natural and Physical Sciences
Qualification developer
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
Next review
December 2019
Approval date
January 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide individuals with
broad operational and theoretical knowledge in science,
technology, engineering, and/or mathematics for employment
and/or progression to higher level qualifications.
The qualification will also identify for the science, technology,
engineering, and/or mathematics-related sectors in Aotearoa
New Zealand those employees who are able to work with broad
supervision in entry-level operational positions in manufacturing
and regulatory industries, field work, research and development.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Education pathway
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:
-
Apply scientific principles and collect and examine scientific
data to carry out routine tasks in an operational or research
context.
-
Contribute collaboratively to a team in a science, technology,
engineering, and/or mathematics-related workplace.
-
Apply health and safety principles relevant to a science,
technology, engineering, and/or mathematics-related
workplace.
This qualification can build on the New Zealand Certificate in
Applied Science (Level 3) [Ref: 2550].
This qualification leads to the New Zealand Diploma in Applied
Science (Level 5) [Ref: 2552] and further study at levels 5, 6 or 7
in a wide range of technology, engineering, health or sciencerelated disciplines.
Employment pathway
Qualification Reference 2551
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Graduates of this certificate can work with supervision in entrylevel positions in science and technology-related fields of work
including manufacturing and regulatory industries, field work,
research and development.
Page 1 of 4
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification will be awarded by the accredited organisation
with which the learner is enrolled.
The formal document certifying the award of this certificate will
display the title of the qualification, the date of issue and/or
award, the logo of the NZQF, the NZQF reference number, and
the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) either arranging
training or delivering programmes that lead to the award of the
qualification are required to participate in a consistency process
scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve review of evidence associated with graduate’s
achievement of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds
for qualification outcome achievement, and areas for
improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification
graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their
own evidence in a high level report.
Evidence may include the following:

Programme statistics such as completion data and
graduate destination data

Graduate portfolios at the programme level
demonstrating that graduates meet the graduate profile
outcomes.

Evidence from internal and/or external moderation
processes.

Documentation of processes that ensure programmes
continue to meet current industry needs.

Next user feedback such as employer surveys.

Any other relevant evidence as appropriate.
Further information about the consistency process can be found
at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/consistency-ofgraduate-outcomes/
Credit transfer and recognition of
prior learning arrangements
Education providers must have policies and procedures in place
for managing credit transfer, and assessing recognition of prior
learning and recognition of current competency. These policies
and procedures, and information about associated fees, must be
available to the candidate prior to enrolment.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. There are no grade endorsements
for this qualification.
Qualification Reference 2551
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 2 of 4
Entry requirements (including
prerequisites to meet regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
It is recommended candidates hold a level 3 qualification in
science.
NCEA or alternate entry requirements will be set by providers.
Qualification conditions
Overarching conditions relating to the qualification
Conditions for programme
structure
The maximum duration to complete the programme will be
determined by the programme owner.
Conditions for programme
context
Programmes leading to the achievement of this qualification may
take place in a workplace or in a dedicated learning environment.
Other conditions
Definitions:
To examine means to check that the result makes sense when
compared with other facts.
In a workplace means the candidate is able to meet the graduate
profile outcome in the learning environment in a manner
appropriate to the workplace. It does not mean the candidate
must be assessed in a workplace.
The focus of programmes leading to this qualification must be
natural and physical sciences, technology, and/or engineering as
defined by NZSCED (01, 02, and 03).
TEOs arranging training or delivering programmes towards this
qualification must ensure that the training arranged and
programmes of learning delivered, are kept up-to-date with
regard to amendments to, and replacements of relevant
legislation, regulations and Australia/New Zealand Standards
(AS/NZS).
Qualification Reference 2551
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 3 of 4
Specific conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
Mandatory
or Optional
1
Programmes must include
Mandatory
Apply scientific principles and
collect and examine scientific
data to carry out routine tasks
in an operational or research
context.
Credits 45
2
Contribute collaboratively to a
team in a science, technology,
engineering, and/or
mathematics-related
workplace.

a range of disciplines

basic protocols for routine tasks to be
followed independently.

scientific calculations relevant to the
operational or research context

teaching and assessment on recognising
common problems with processes and
inconsistencies in data.
Programmes must include communication in a
scientific context using a variety of means
including digital technology.
Mandatory
To apply health and safety principles means to
know the established procedures and practice
them in new situations.
Mandatory
Credits 10
3
Apply health and safety
principles relevant to a
science, technology,
engineering, and/or
mathematics-related
workplace.
Credits 5
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Science (Level 4)
[Ref:1669]
People currently working towards the replaced qualification may either complete the requirements for that
qualification by 31 December 2018 or transfer to this qualification.
The last date for entry into programmes leading to Ref: 1669 is 31 December 2016. The last date for
award of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2018.
Qualification Reference 2551
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Page 4 of 4