The New Zealand Education System
General Information on High Schools Admission Requirements Examinations
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New Zealand has a reputation as a provider of quality education, and offers a socially and politically safe environment in which to study. A wide range of courses is available for academic, professional and vocational studies at universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, secondary schools and private training institutions. A schematic diagram of the system is shown below.
Although young children and their parents will be able to take part in our Kiwi Cobbers program later this year, most international students can enrol in private language schools, high schools, or increasingly, polytechnics and universities. throughout the year. The entry requirements, courses and educational standards of all high schools are similar as they prepare students for national examinations and qualifications such as the School and Sixth Form Certificates and University and Scholarship Examinations shown above. However, especially as regards English entry requirements, they can set their own as can be seen by clicking on the school name on the High Schools page. Students going on to tertiary education can choose from 25 polytechnics, eight universities, several special colleges of education (for training teachers) and a wide range of private training institutions - all of which can specify their own entry requirements, often in the form of marks achieved in the above mentioned national examination.
High Schools
New Zealand
secondary schools provide a broad education to to students aged 13-18 years
old as preparation for tertiary education in New Zealand or other English
speaking countries, although some schools have classes, and sometimes boarding
facilities, for students aged 11 and 12 as well. Many international students
enrol for one year as an overseas experience and/or to improve their English,
but increasingly they are entering the system at year 11 (approximately
15 years old - Form 5) with the idea of graduating. Most schools are state
schools, but there are a number of other schools which have their own special
philosophical or religious traditions. Some are private and others are integrated,
which means they are government funded, but retain their unique character.
Years 9 and 10 (Forms Three and Four): Students at this level study
a basic core of subjects - English, Social Studies, General Science, Mathematics,
Music, Art and Crafts and Physical Education.
Year 11 (Form Five) : By year 11, students can begin to specialise
by choosing from a range of optional subjects as the number of compulsory
courses falls; however, English, Mathematics and Science remain core subjects.
Other areas of study include Art, Commerce, Technology and Languages.
At the end of year 11, most students sit their first national examination
called School Certificate, although for some subjects this is internally
assessed. Many subjects have partial internal assessment where marks from
course work are added to marks from the national, external examination to
determine the final grade. A student may enter examinations for one or more
subjects and is credited with a mark and grade for each subject, and to
be eligible to receive a final result , must have met the courses full prescription
requirements for that year. Results in School Certificate are used as a
guide for placement for entry into Year 12, although it is up to the individual
school as to whether a student advances to that years's classes.
Although all schools must offer the compulsory core subjects, they will
offer different combinations of subjects drawn from the following. Accounting,
Agriculture, Art, Biological Science, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, Clothing
and Textiles, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, Graphics, History,
Home Economics, History, Horticulture, Human Biology, Indonesian, Japanese,
Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physical Science, Physics, Science, Shorthand
Typing, Spanish, Te Reo Maori, Typing and Workshop Technology.
Years 12 and 13 (Forms Six and Seven) : In year 12 students are able
to specialise in up to six subjects, with English being compulsory for Full
Sixth Form Certificate students. Sixth Form Certificate is internally assessed
(no public examination) on the basis of the student's performance in a maximum
of six subjects chosen from the following. Accounting, Agriculture and Horticulture,
Art, Biology, Chemistry, Chinese, Classical Studies, Computer Studies, Design
and technology, Drama, Economics, English, French, Geography, German, Graphics,
History, History of Art, Home Economics, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Mathematics,
Music, Physical Education, Physics, Spanish, Te Reo Rangatira and Typing.
Although the results of the Six Form Certificate are used as a guide for
entry into year 13, each school has the right to decide whether the individual
students can advance into Year 13 studies.
University Entrance, Bursary and Scholarship Examinations : Passes
in these national examinations, sat in Year 13, are required for entry to
tertiary education institutions in New Zealand such as polytechnics, colleges
of education and universities, and as such are similar to the U.S.'s SAT
(Scholastic Aptitude Test). There are no compulsory subjects and students
usually choose courses relevant to their intended studies at the tertiary
level. Students must sit a minimum of four and a maximum of six subjects.
More than half the subjects are partially internally assessed with marks
from course work being added to those achieved in the final examination
to decide the final grade. Students choose from the following selection
of subjects as provided by their school, although no school will offer them
all. Accounting, Agriculture and Horticulture, Art, Biology, Chemistry,
Chinese, Classical Studies, Computer Studies, Design (Practical Art), Drama,
Economics, English, French, Geography, German, Graphics, History, History
of Art, Home Economics, Indonesian, Japanese, Latin, Mathematics with Calculus,
Mathematics with Statistics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Print Making
(Practical Art), Russian, Spanish, and Te Reo Rangatira.
To obtain entrance to a degree program in New Zealand, students require
a B pass(grade average of 56-65% or better in Bursary or Scholarship examinations,
or three C passes (46-55%), plus Higher School Certificate. While these
passes entitle a student entry into a New Zealand degree program, some courses
with restricted entry require better marks. Most universities also require
a demonstration of English language proficiency such as an IELTS mark of
6.0 or higher or a TOEFL score of 550 or higher .
In addition to the above subjects, many schools offer the following as well;
Alternative English, Computer Studies, Design and Technology, Drama, Home
Economics, Media Studies, Shorthand Typing, Performance Music, Social Science,
Technical Drawing, Transition Education, Typing and Writing.
Admission Requirements
Each high school sets its own entry criteria (academic and English)
for international students. Thus, while some schools require a minimum standard
of English proficiency expressed as a IELTS or TOEFL score, others will
accept students with lower English capability if they have their own ESOL
(English as a Second Language) programs, as many of them do. the following
is a general guide for entry into Years 12 and 13. In any event, interested
parties should contact Kiwi College for further information.
Year 12 (Form 6)
Korea
Completion of Grade 11 at an academic (general) high school or grade 10
at a Special Purpose School (accelerated program for gifted pupils).
Japan Completion of Grade 11 at a general (academic) or specialised
vocational upper secondary school..
Taiwan Completion of Grade 11 ata general or academic senior high
school.
Malaysia : Malaysia MCE or SPM Grade 1 Certificate (aggregate 16
or less) with credits in English language or Literature 1-4.
Singapore Singapore Cambridge GCE O Level (aggregate 16 or less)
with credits in English Language or Literature 1-4.
Hong Kong Hong Kong Certificate of Education (four passes at C or
better).
Indonesia Completion of SMA II.
Thailand Matayom 5.
Year 13 (Form 7)
Korea General Senior high Certificate(Immunmgye Kodung Hakkyo Cheoupchang)
Japan Upper Secondary School Certificate of Graduation (kotogakko
Sotsuggyo Shosho)
Taiwan Senior High School Diploma
Malaysia Grade 12 pre-University program
Singapore Pre-U1
Hong Kong As for year 12 plus already studying in Form 6 in own country
at time of application.
Indonesia Completion of SMA II.
Thailand Matayom 6.
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