NCEA – The National Certificate of Educational Achievement
NCEA is New Zealand’s National Secondary School Qualification. It is part of the National
Qualifications Framework (NQF) that also assesses beyond school into tertiary education
and the workplace.
A brief outline:
 At school, students work towards gaining credits at NCEA Level 1, 2 or 3.

These credits come from both Achievement Standards and Unit Standards.

NCEA measures student attainment against an established standard or level.

Assessment is of two types:
-
Internal Assessment: Within the school year
External Assessment: At the end of the year in formal national exams.
NCEA Certificates
Level 1
80 credits from Level 1 or above.
10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits.
Level 2
60 credits at Level 2 or above
Plus 20 credits from Level 1 or above.
Level 3
60 credits at Level 3 or above
Plus 20 credits from Level 2 or above.
Note: A Level 3 Certificate does not guarantee entrance into university
(See below)
NCEA Level 1 Literacy and Numeracy
To gain a Level 1 Certificate, students must display a basic competence in literacy
(English or Te Reo) and in numeracy. There are two ways this can be attained:
 Through specific literacy and numeracy Unit Standards.
Or
 Through Level 1 Achievement Standards. This change to NCEA now makes Level
1 literacy and numeracy available to students in subjects other than English and
Mathematics.
Note:
 Literacy and Numeracy comes from only certain Standards in the subjects below.
 Competency in Level 1 basic literacy and numeracy does not guarantee entry into
Level 2.
Subject
Accounting
Horticulture
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Dance
Digital Computing
Drama
Economics
English
Geography
Health
History
Home Economics
Maths
Music
Media
Physical Education
Physics
Science
Technology Design
Te Reo Maori
Visual Art
Literacy
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Numeracy
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Recognising High NCEA Achievement
NCEA Level 1-3 Certificate Endorsements
Recognition is given to students who achieve Achievement Standards at Merit and at
Excellence level.
Merit Certificate – At least 50 credits at Merit or better.
Excellence Certificate – At least 50 credits at Excellence.
NCEA Course Endorsements
Students are able to gain a Merit or Excellence endorsement for high achievement in a
course.
To gain course endorsement students must gain the following in a given year:
 14 or more credits in a course at Merit or Excellence
 At least three external credits and 3 internal credits.
(Exception: Physical Education, Religious Studies, Visual Art at Level 3)
The New Zealand Scholarship
An additional academic challenge for students studying Level 3 subjects is to sit the NZQA
Scholarship exams. While these exams draw from content in Level 3 subjects, students
are required to demonstrate higher level abstract thinking.
Scholarship:
 Is administered by NZQA but is not part of NCEA and does not count for credits.
 Has monetary awards (see www.nzqa.govt.nz for details).
University Entrance
In choosing subjects from Year 11 upwards, students and parents need to be aware that
some NCEA and NQF school subjects directly support entry into university and others do
not.
UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE
14 Credits
from one approved
list subject
at Level 3
14 Credits
from one approved
list subject
at Level
3
PLUS
14 Credits
from one or two
subjects
at Level 3
PLUS
UE Literacy
4 Credits
Writing Level 2
AND
4 Reading Level 2
UE Numeracy
14 Credits
Maths Level 1
The University Approved list
Accounting
Agriculture
Biology
Chemistry
Chinese
Classical Studies
Computing
Dance
Design (practical art)
Drama
Economics
English
French
Geography
German
Graphics
Health
History
Art History
Indonesian
Japanese
Korean
Latin
Mathematics with Calculus
Mathematics with Statistics
Media Studies
Music
Painting (practical art)
Photography
Physical Education
Physics
Printmaking (practical art)
Samoan
Science
Sculpture (practical art)
Spanish
Social Studies
Technology
Te Reo Maori or Te Reo Rangitara
Note: University Entrance is the minimum requirement for entry into University. This entry
level will be raised by universities over the next few years. Entry into specific university
degree courses is often at a level higher than that shown above, due to competition for
places.
University of Auckland course entry
The University of Auckland uses a Grade Point Average (GPA) for their selection process.
The GPA gives weighting to the number of Merits and Excellences students attain in their
top 80 credits.
Limited Entry Degrees at Auckland University:
These are degrees where only a certain number of students are accepted and entry
standards are higher.
For these degrees, the top 80 credits across a maximum of 5 subjects at Level 3 from the
approved list are submitted:
For an Excellence 4 points are awarded
For a Merit
3 points are awarded
For an Achieved
2 points are awarded
These are then totalled and you are ranked.
Note: You may need to have specific subjects from Table A and Table B (on next page).
If in any doubt, make an appointment to see Mrs Wall or Mr Witten-Hannah.
Table A
Classical Studies
English
Geography
History
Art History
Maori
Table B
Accounting
Biology
Chemistry
Economics
Maths
Physics
Selecting Subjects for Next Year
How do you decide what subjects to take?
Some important pointers:
 Take a lot of advice. Talk to:
- The College’s Careers Staff – Mr Witten-Hannah and Mrs Wall.
- Heads of Department at the Futures Evening.
- Your subject teachers
- Your Homegroup teacher who knows you well.

Consider subjects that:
- You are doing well at.
- You are enjoying.
- Match the career that you have in mind.

Many subjects at Year 12 and 13 have entry requirements.
See individual subject descriptions for these prerequisites.
Level Requirements
Year 11
 All Year 11 students study English, Mathematics and a Science .
 Plus 3 other subjects.
Year 12
 All Year 12 students study English and 5 other subjects at Level 1 or 2.
Year 13
 Students studying 3 or more Approved List subjects choose 5 subjects.
 All others choose 6 subjects.
Provision of any courses described in this booklet is dependent upon student
numbers and school resourcing. The final decision on whether a course will run
is made by the College in February of the year of study.
SUBJECT CHOICE GUIDELINES
CAREER
BACKGROUND SUBJECTS REQUIRED
These are recommendations only and not necessarily prerequisites.
Accountancy
See Business / Commerce.
Agriculture/Horticulture
Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, English and Horticulture are all useful.
Apprenticeships
Pre-trade or foundation courses are available at Polytechnics. Check for
individual trade requirements but the minimum is NCEA Level 1 English
and Mathematics. Some trades require an even higher achievement level.
Architecture
Degree: A broad based course of study in senior school, Mathematics,
Physics useful. Level 3 Painting, Design or Graphics advantageous, as a
portfolio of Art work is required. University Entrance needed.
Armed Forces
Officers: University Entrance needed.
Apprenticeships and Combat Trades: Minimum NCEA Level 1 passes in
English, Mathematics recommended. Check for specific trades. There are
also aptitude tests you need to take in your desired trade. These are both
physical and written.
Art and Design
Courses
Degree: University Entrance needed. Photographic colour slides and/or
portfolio required. Check for details.
Certificate and Diploma options available with lower entry requirements.
Aviation
English and Mathematics with Calculus or Statistics and Physics
recommended.
Building and Carpentry
English, Mathematics, Wood and Graphics are useful subjects.
Business/Commerce
Degree: a broad range of subjects recommended. Mathematics with
Statistics and English recommended.
Certificate/ Diploma options also available.
Childcare
Level 2 NCEA in general subjects including English. Training providers
have varying entry requirements. Most students should aim for University
Entrance to enter a degree level course.
Clerical/Reception
English, Mathematics, Word Processing useful.
Clothing Design
Mathematics, English, Art, Fabric Technology and Design are useful.
Computing
Mathematics, English, Computer Technology are useful. Certificate to
Degree courses are available.
Dentistry
See Health Sciences.
Economics
See Business / Commerce. English and Maths are recommended.
Engineering:
Chemical, Civil,
Electrical, Electronics,
Computer Systems,
Mechanical
Electrician
Courses range from pre-trade to certificate, Diploma and Degree level.
Maths is recommended. Engineering, Electrotechnology, Physics.
Computing are also useful depending on the specialist area chosen.
Electronics Technician
Level 1 NCEA English, Mathematics, Physics, Electronics.
Environmental Science
Degree: University Entrance needed. English, Mathematics with
Statistics, Biology and Geography are useful.
Fine Arts
See Art and Design.
Fitness Industry
English, Physical Education and Biology useful.
Graphic Design
See Art and Design.
Hairdressing
Aged 16. English, Mathematics, Science, Art useful.
Health Sciences
First Year Course
Entry into: Dentistry,
Pharmacy, Medicine,
Physiotherapy,
Laboratory Technology
English, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics are useful. All students
need to include a Humanities subject eg Art History, History, Geography
and Classics. Check extra requirements for Auckland University.
Hospitality
Certificate though to Degree courses and apprenticeships.
Interior Design
See Art and Design.
Journalism
Degree: Broad education recommended, English plus History/Geography
useful.
Law
Degree: Broad education at Year 13. Students need to achieve excellent
results in first year of university.
Management,
Marketing, Tourism
See Business / Commerce.
Certificate, Diploma, Degree options.
Medicine
High grades in a Health Science first year are needed to do Medicine in
Year 2.
Motor Industry
See Engineering.
Music
Degree: Year 13 Music. University Entrance needed. Audition required
for Performance Course.
Nursing
University Entrance needed. English and Biology are recommended.
Occupational Therapy
Degree. English, Biology and Mathematics are useful.
Optometry
No direct entry from Year 13. Students need to complete a first year in
Science including Chemistry, Calculus, Statistics and Physics.
Performing and Screen
University Entrance. Audition required.
Level 1 NCEA English and Mathematics a minimum. There are specific
Mathematics Achievement Standards required.
Arts
Physical Education
Range of courses from Certificate to Degree. Physical Education and
Biology are useful.
Physiotherapy
Otago Uni & AUT: University Entrance needed. Involvement in sports,
community service or health related activities are required.
Plumbing
Level 1 NCEA minimums in Mathematics, English, and Science is useful.
Police
Good Level 2 NCEA grades in English. Prefer older applicants who have
completed another qualification or been in the work force. A second
language and the ability to swim are useful. Keyboarding skills, Defensive
Driving and First Aid courses are useful. Students should have at least a
restricted licence and be 18.
Radiography
Diagnostic: University Entrance. Useful subjects: English, Mathematics
with Calculus or Statistics and minimum of one science subject.
Recreational
Management
Degree: Biology, English, Geography, Economics, Mathematics with
Statistics or Calculus are useful.
Secretarial / Reception
Good grades in English, Keyboarding and computer skills.
Social Work
Degree: General educational background. Need to be aged 20 and over,
but may be accepted at 18 if mature and preferably with some relevant
experience.
Speech Therapy
University Entrance. English, Science, Languages strongly
recommended. This can be done at Massey or Canterbury University.
Teaching
University Entrance needed for Degree. Can do a foundation year first.
Veterinarian
Degree: (Massey University): No restriction on entry to Semester One,
except University Entrance. Entry to semester two is very competitive.
Recommended subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Mathematics.
Work experience with a veterinarian strongly recommended.