Consultation Questions – Stage Two of the Review of Science Qualifications
1. Do you agree with the graduate profile outcomes? If not, suggest alternative
wording. Some graduate profile outcomes have been modified and/or refined.
2. Do you agree that endorsements and strands are not necessary?
When previously asked, the sector replied with a number of suggestions. The GG is
concerned that there could be too many endorsements, that an endorsement could
potentially limit the provider in what it could offer or it may limit the graduate in what
the positions they could apply for.
3. Do you think that the lack of endorsements or strands will create problems in
the recruitment process? For example, employers and graduates will need to
converse about the particular programme which was completed, because it will be
the programme which determines the content or focus of the certificate or diploma.
4. At present there is no specific reference to te Ao Māori, te Tiriti Waitangi, or
interacting positively with cultures other than one’s own. Should the qualifications
include reference to the bicultural nature of New Zealand in strategic purpose
statements and/or graduate profile outcomes? If so, please give examples.
5. Do you agree with the allocation of credits to clusters of outcomes?
It is part of the requirements of NZ qualifications to indicate the relative value or
weighting of outcomes. The WG has clustered graduate outcomes into two groups,
each with a range of credit values. This will allow the maximum flexibility to
programme owners to meet the local needs of industry and their students’ learning
needs.
6. Do you agree with the qualification specifications?
The WG adopted the wording used in other qualifications which have been listed.
They decided that there should be no practical learning hours or percentage
stipulated, nor is work experience essential. Entry requirements are recommended
but the provider has discretion to choose their equivalents.
7. Do you agree with the focus of the level 3 and 4 qualifications?
(Natural and Physical Sciences NZSCED 01, Information Technology 02,
Engineering 03)
8. Do you agree with the focus of the level 5 and 6 qualifications?
(Natural and Physical Sciences NZSCED 01) This would exclude programmes for
social, computer, or political sciences as these areas have other qualifications.
9. Do you think there should be other conditions on the graduate profile
outcomes? If so, please list them.
For example, some qualifications list topics which must be covered, evidence which
must be included, regulations which must be met, practical experience hours which
must be achieved.
10. Do you agree with the dates set in the transition statements?
The last date for entry into the qualification was set at 31 December 2016 to allow
providers about two years to make the change between their current programme and
their new programme, then the last date for assessment were adjusted to allow both
fulltime and part-time students to complete if they enrol under the replaced
qualification.
Mandatory Review of Qualifications
Consultation 3 for Proposed Science Qualifications: feedback form
Name (optional) ___________________________________
This response is from ____________________ (type of scientific workplace, for example:
private industry, Government agency, tertiary education organisation)
 This response is a joint response and represents the views of ______________________
(name of scientific workplace)
 This response is an independent response and may not necessarily reflect the views of my
workplace.
Send your comments to sciencequals.review@nzqa.govt.nz by Tuesday, 5 August 2014.
Question
1
Do you agree with the graduate
profile outcomes?
2
Do you agree that endorsements
and strands are not necessary?
3
Do you think that the lack of
endorsements or strands will
create problems in the recruitment
process?
4
Should the qualifications include
reference to the bicultural nature of
New Zealand in strategic purpose
statements and/or graduate profile
outcomes?
5
Do you agree with the allocation of
credits to clusters of outcomes?
6
Do you agree with the qualification
specifications?
7
Do you agree with the focus of the
level 3 and 4 qualifications?
8
Do you agree with the focus of the
level 5 and 6 qualifications?
9
Do you think there should be other
conditions on the graduate profile
outcomes? If so, please list them.
10 Do you agree with the dates set in
the transition statements?
Additional comments:
Yes/No
Comment (please adjust rows to fit)