University Entrance with NCEA

NCEA Requirements for University Entrance

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) administers NCEA and sets the NCEA requirements for University Entrance nationwide. 

NCEA requirements for University Entrance

• NCEA Level 3
• 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of three approved subjects
• Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
  • 5 credits in reading
  • 5 credits in writing
• Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
  • achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
  • unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required), or
  • numeracy unit standard 32406 OR te pāngarau unit standard 32412.

When you gain University Entrance with NCEA, it will appear on your NZQA Record of Achievement and your application to enrol at UC will be processed. 

More information about University Entrance is available on the NZQA website. 

Exceptional Year 12 NCEA results

If you are a Year 12 student with an exceptional academic record applying for entry to UC before completing Year 13, or you have been on an official exchange programme (such as ASF or Rotary) studying overseas for 20 weeks or more, you will need to apply for Discretionary Entrance. 

For Discretionary Entrance with Year 12 NCEA results, you would be expected to achieve at least:

• 72 credits at NCEA Level 2, including a minimum of 14 credits in each of four subjects (three of which must be approved subjects) and a minimum of 60 Merit and Excellence credits
• the literacy and numeracy standards for University Entrance

More info about Discretionary Entrance.

Falling short of University Entrance through NCEA

If you haven’t achieved University Entrance (UE) through NCEA, there are other ways to qualify, such as via a transition programme at UC or catching up on missing credits.

Transition programmes

UC offers transition programmes that will give you UE on completion:

• The Certificate in University Preparation (CUP) offers domestic students an alternative pathway with smaller class sizes and individual attention to help you develop your confidence to succeed at university.
• The Diploma in University Studies (DipUniSt) may allow you to start your first-year degree with conditional entry if you're only short 10 credits (or less) and intend to study an approved bachelor's degree. It's a supportive way to begin university life, and the courses you've completed will normally get credited to your chosen bachelor's degree, so you can start your second year with confidence. International students can take courses taught by UC's International College (UCIC) to complete the UCIC-taught Diploma if they intend to progress into a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Engineering with Honours, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Data Science at UC.
• The Certificate in Foundation Studies (CertFounSt) gives international students entry to the first year of a bachelor's degree on completion, and is taught by UC's International College (UCIC).  

Catch-up credits

If you are only 8 credits (or less) short of UE, you may be able to complete the missing credits over the summer and still start your degree courses in Semester One at UC. Credits can be completed at your own secondary school, Hagley College, Te Kura Correspondence School or Logan Park High School. It will depend on which credits you're missing and which degree you intend to study at UC as to which of these options are available to you. 

If you can show you have submitted all necessary work before the start of Semester One and the school confirms you will achieve the missing credits, you will normally be given Provisional Admission and be able to start your studies at UC.  Carefully follow the process outlined in the Te Kura and Hagley brochures below. 

Please note: students applying for a teaching qualification (BTchLn) have earlier deadlines to complete catch-up credits. Please check with the Future Students team for more details.