for international students
Q: Who studies at New Zealand Tertiary College?
A: The majority of our students are New Zealanders, however we welcome students from all backgrounds and
cultures from New Zealand and overseas. Some are straight from school; others have worked in the early
childhood sector or in a completely different industry and some are parents returning to work. Whatever their
background, our students are passionate about early childhood education and making a difference in the lives
of young children.
Q: Is my qualification approved and accredited?
A: New Zealand Tertiary College qualifications are listed on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, the
definitive source for accurate and current information on quality assured qualifications in New Zealand.
All New Zealand Tertiary College qualifications are approved and accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications
Authority (NZQA), the New Zealand government body that oversees quality assurance for New Zealand
qualifications. NZQA has put in place systems to ensure consistency of training and assessment, ensuring New
Zealand qualifications are valued as credible and robust nationally and internationally.
The Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood
Education) programs are approved by New Zealand Teachers Council - the teacher licensing authority in New
Zealand. Graduates are able to apply for provisional teacher registration, which improves their job prospects
and their ability to apply for residency.
Q: Can I work while I study?
A: International students enrolled in New Zealand Tertiary College programs may be eligible to work 20 hours
per week and full time during scheduled vacations and summer vacations. If you are enrolled in our
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) or our Master of Education (Early Childhood
Education) and hold a student visa, your spouse may be eligible for a full time open work visa for the duration
of your enrolment.
Please check with Immigration New Zealand for the most up-to-date information about visas for studying and
working in New Zealand.
Q: I have studied previously. Is there a possibility of cross-crediting into a New Zealand Tertiary College program?
A: Yes. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is credit towards your chosen program at New Zealand Tertiary
College for courses which you have successfully completed at other tertiary providers.
RPL is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to apply for RPL you will be required to pay a $95.00
application fee. This fee covers the cost involved in the assessment process of RPL. Students will be required
to pay the fee prior to their RPL assessment and interview with New Zealand Tertiary College.
For New Zealand qualifications: If you have a completed (or partially completed) a qualification from a New
Zealand education provider, you may be eligible to receive RPL. RPL is assessed by our curriculum team.
To be assessed for RPL, you must supply a verified copy of your transcripts and learning outcomes of each
course or qualification you have completed (the education provider will be able to give these to you).
New Zealand
Tertiary College
www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz
TERTIARY COLLEGES GROUP
1 Marewa Road, Greenlane, Auckland p: +64 9 520 4000 • Unit 12 & 13, 114 Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch p: +64 3 366 8000
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For overseas qualifications: You may be eligible for RPL if you have completed a qualification at an overseas
tertiary institution. Before New Zealand Tertiary College begins the RPL process, you need to get your
qualification assessed by the NZQA. Please contact the NZQA for more information on this process.
Q: What is the difference between the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) and the
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education)?
A: The Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) is a teaching stream qualification at Level 7
approved by NZ Teachers Council. Graduates are qualified ECE teachers for children in the age group of 0 to 5
years and are eligible to apply for provisional teacher registration. It is a qualification which involves practical
and theoretical components.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) is an education stream qualification at
Level 8. Graduates are NOT eligible to apply for provisional registration from NZ Teachers Council. Graduates
may work in skilled positions in early childhood education. It is a qualification which involves academic and
research components.
A student graduating from the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education) is eligible to
apply and study the Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Early Childhood Education) which is approved by NZ
Teachers Council.
Q. How much study is involved?
A: Students should expect to be engaged with course content for a minimum of 30 hours per week; which may
encompass a combination of interacting with course guides, reading, research, assessment writing, field
experience and field practice.
Q: Can I work overseas with my New Zealand Tertiary College qualification?
A: The New Zealand Qualifications Framework is accepted internationally and graduates holding approved
New Zealand qualifications are highly mobile, with their qualifications being generally recognised in most
countries.
NZQA is a recognised accreditation agency by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO). The NZQA is a member of the Australasian Curriculum, Assessment and Certification
Authorities and the Australian Qualifications Framework Council. NZQA is also a member of the Australasian
Conference of Tertiary Admission Centres that deals with matters concerning common admission standards
and placements to courses in universities within Australasia. The NZQA maintains close links with Australian
bodies of similar standing at all levels of the education system and has representation on the Australian
Qualifications Framework Advisory Board.
The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) recognises New Zealand Tertiary
College’s qualifications as enabling holders to work as early childhood teachers and educators in Australia.
ACECQA further recognises that New Zealand Tertiary College qualifications are exempt from the IELTS
requirements to work as early childhood teachers and educators in Australia.
New Zealand
Tertiary College
www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz
TERTIARY COLLEGES GROUP
1 Marewa Road, Greenlane, Auckland p: +64 9 520 4000 • Unit 12 & 13, 114 Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch p: +64 3 366 8000
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New Zealand Tertiary College graduates who attain New Zealand teacher registration may transfer that
registration to a number of Australian states and territories through the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition
Agreement. Australian teacher registration allows holders to work in the public sector in those states and
territories.
Q: How are the courses assessed?
A: All courses are internally assessed include theory based assessments and may include practical
components. There are no exams.
The dissertation and theses in the Master of Education (Early Childhood Education) are externally assessed.
Q: Where can I purchase my textbooks?
A: Textbooks related to New Zealand Tertiary College qualifications may be purchased from NZTC Books, the
bookshop of New Zealand Tertiary College, located at our Auckland Campus and available online. NZTC Books
sells a range of other books and resources to complement your studies and research in early childhood
education.
Q: Are my tuition fees safe?
A: In the unlikely event that New Zealand Tertiary College is unable to deliver the program you have enrolled
in, New Zealand Tertiary College has protected your fees with Public Trust. Fees deposited and protected by
the Public Trust are held in the Common fund which has an unsecured guarantee from the New Zealand
Government. The student fee protection for New Zealand Tertiary College is fully compliant with NZQA rules.
Should access to your fees be necessary, you may contact Public Trust on 0800 494 733 or eMail Public Trust.
This arrangement has been accepted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority as meeting the
requirements of the Education Act 1989 and the Student Fee Protection Rules 2013.
Q: May I receive a refund?
A: New Zealand Tertiary College's refund policy compiles with the Education Act (1989). See our Student
Withdrawal and Refund Policy (PDF 474KB).
Statutory information
As required, each governing member of New Zealand Tertiary College has submitted to the New Zealand
Qualifications Authority (NZQA) a statutory declaration of any material conflicts of interest, and any interest
that the person has in organisations in the education or immigration sector that provides goods or services to
tertiary students.
Trustees of the Living and Learning Family Centres Foundation together with directors of Kindercare Learning
Centres Ltd. are governing members of New Zealand Tertiary College. These organisations support field
practice experiences for students. New Zealand Tertiary College charges no student services fees over and
above the fees advertised.
New Zealand
Tertiary College
www.nztertiarycollege.ac.nz
TERTIARY COLLEGES GROUP
1 Marewa Road, Greenlane, Auckland p: +64 9 520 4000 • Unit 12 & 13, 114 Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch p: +64 3 366 8000
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© New Zealand Tertiary College