International

Entry requirements for international students

Learn about entry requirements for international students. Requirements change based on your home country and the programme you are applying to, so check the list below.

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Academic requirements to study in New Zealand

International students need a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand’s NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

Find your home country below to check which qualification you need for entry into different levels of study.

Equivalent academic entry requirements by country

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of 12th Grade Graduation Certificate (academic)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of 12th Grade Graduation Certificate (academic) with 75% average in 4 academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore (Diploma of State Matura)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Diplomë e Maturës Shtetërore (Diploma of State Matura) OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR  Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Baccalaureat de l'enseignement secondaire with grade Passable
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Baccalaureat de l'enseignement secondaire with grade Assez bien, Bien, Tres Bien or Excellent

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Titulo de Bachiller OR Titulo de Técnico-Auxiliar
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Trayecto Técnico Profesional OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Year 12
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of Year 12, AND ATAR score of 65 or above

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Higher Secondary Certificate
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of Higher Secondary Certificate with a GPA of 3.5 or higher

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of year 12 from any board with an average across four academic papers ≥ 50%. OR Successful completion of year 10 plus 2-3 year diploma
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Average Grades of 60% in best of 4 academic subjects in Year 12 from any boards. OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education OR International General Certificate of Secondary Education
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Completion of Exame Nacional do Ensino Medio (ENEM) OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	GCE O Level with a pass in four subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A level

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Diploma in Upper Secondary Education (Year 12)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Diploma in Upper Secondary Education (Year 12) with a B average in four academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Canadian High School or Grade 12
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of Canadian High School or Grade 12 with 60% average

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Licencia de Educación / Enseñanza Media
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Senior High School Graduate Certificate with 65% average
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Senior High School Graduate Certificate with 80% average OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Folkeskolens 10 Klasseprove (Folkeskolen's 10 Class test)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of: Bevis for Merkantil Studentereksamen (HHX) (Higher Commercial Examination Certificate) OR Bevis for Teknisk Studentereksamen (HTX) (Higher Technical Examination Certificate) OR Bevis for Højere Forberedelseseksamen / Bevis for HF-Eksamen (HF) (Higher Preparatory Examination Certificate) OR Bevis for Almen Studentereksamen (STX) (Higher General Examination Certificate)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Form Seven Certificate (SPFSC) OR Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR Fiji School Leaving Certificate (FSLC)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects OR Fiji Seventh Form Certificate Examination/Fiji Year 13 Certificate Examination with an minimum aggregate score of 250 (English plus best three) OR University of South Pacific Foundation Studies Programme including a C in Communication Studies

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Lukion päättötodistus / Avgångsbetyg från gymnasiet (General Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Ylioppilastutkintotodistus / Studentexamensbetyg (Matriculation Examination)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of the Diplome du Baccalaureat General OR Diplome du Baccalaureat Technologique OR Diplome d'access aux etudes universitaires (DAEU)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of the Diplome du Baccalaureat General OR Diplome du Baccalaureat Technologique OR Diplome d'access aux etudes universitaires (DAEU)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Mittlere Reife Realschlabschluss - Intermediate High School Diploma
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Abitur OR Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife - High School Diploma OR Certificate of General University Entrance Qualification

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	West African Senior School Certificate Examination with at least 4 grades of C6 or above OR GCE O-Level with at least 4 A-C grades
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A-Level with a 'C' grade in a minimum of three A-level subjects OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Completion of Senior High School Year 2 - 70% in any three academic subjects OR Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) - Level 2 in one academic subject and Level 3 in two academic subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with Level 3 in 5 academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of year 12 from any board with an average across four academic papers ≥ 50% OR Successful completion of year 10 plus 2-3 year diploma
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Average Grades of 60% in best of 4 academic subjects in Year 12 from any boards OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a University in India and Nepal

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Sekolah Menengah Atas / Madrasah Aliyah (SMA / MA)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of Sekolah Menengah Kejuruan / Madrasah Aliyah Kejuruan (SMK / MAK) with average of grade 6.5 or more in 4 academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	High School Diploma (3 years) with grades of at least 10
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme.

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	شهادة الدراسة الاعدادية / الثانوية Certificate of Preparatory Education (Secondary School Certificate)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	شهادة الدراسة الاعدادية / الثانوية Certificate of Preparatory Education / Secondary School Certificate (with 75% average in 4 academic subjects)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of the Irish Leaving Certificate awarded Ordinary Level
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of the Irish Leaving Certificate awarded Ordinary Level, with 5 Higher Level subject passes at C or higher OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of the Diploma di Maturita (to 2019) OR Successful completion of the Diploma di Esame di Stato (from 2020)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of the Diploma di Maturita (to 2019) OR Successful completion of the Diploma di Esame di Stato (from 2020)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of the High School Diploma or Upper Secondary School Graduation Certificate
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of the High School Diploma with a B average or higher, or GPA of 3.0 or higher

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with B grade average

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 75% average in 4 academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	高中畢業證書 Certificado de Ensino Secundário Complementar (Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme OR Cambridge GCE A Level

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) (Malaysia Certificate of Education) with grades 1-6 OR UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) Senior Middle Level
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) (Malaysia Higher School Certificate) with a maximum score of 15 OR Matrikulasi (Matriculation Certificate) with a cumaltive GPA of 2.5 (Principal pass with grade B-) or higher

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Titulo Academico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General OR Examen Nacional de Ingreso a la Educación Superior (EXANI-II)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade XI & XII) with an average across four academic subjects of 2.4 or higher
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade XI & XII) with an average across four academic subjects of 2.7 or higher OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs (HAVO) diploma
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Baccalaureat with a minimum grade 10
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Baccalaureat with a minimum grade of 24

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	West African Senior School Certificate (WASSC) with at least eight grades of C6 or above. OR Senior School Certificate (SSCE) with at least eight grades of C6 or above. OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A-Level with a 'C' grade in a minimum of three A-level subjects. OR Higher National Diploma (HND) OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Vitnemal fra Grunnskolen - Certificate from Secondary School
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Vitnemål for videregående opplæring (Leaving Certificate from Upper Secondary School)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Thaniwiya Amma/General Education Diploma
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	General Education Diploma with 75% average in 4 academic subjects OR Completion of at least 2 years of الدبلوم (Diploma)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)/ Intermediate with 60% or higher (660/1100 or higher)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate OR Higher/Upper Secondary School Certificate with 60% average in 4 academic subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects OR Completion of USP Foundation Certificate in a relevant programme OR One year of successful undergraduate level study at a recognised teritary institution of university standing

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Certificado de Educacion Secundaria Comun Completa with 75% average in 4 academic subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Senior High School (Academic track) awarded in 2016 onwards with 60% grade of more in 4 academic subjects OR High School Graduation with a pass in the University Admission Test (to 2016)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Senior High School (Academic track) awarded in 2016 onwards with 70% grade or more in 4 academic subjects OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Certificate of Secondary General Education
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Certificate of Secondary General Education with 3.5 average across four academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR Samoa School Certificate (SSC) with grade 4 or above (52 - 60%) OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of Samoa Secondary Leavng Certificate (SSLC) with a minimum of 250/400 (including English). Total of the best three academic subjects plus English. No subject below 50%. OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a minimum overall mark of 60%
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Tawjihiya (General Secondary School Education Certificate) with 75% average in 4 academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	GCE O Level with 4 subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A Level with 3 passes

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of National Senior Certificate with a matriculation endorsement for further study at either Higher Certificate, Diploma or Degree level
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of National Senior Certificate with a matriculation endorsement for further study at either Higher Certificate, Diploma or Degree level

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	High School Certificate of Graduation (academic stream) OR High School Graduation Equivalency Examination
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Korean University Entrance examination (CSAT), with a minimum of 250 OR Successful completion of High School Diploma with a B (80%) average

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	GCE O Level with 4 grades of 1-6
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Sri Lankan GCE A Levels with passes in at least 3 subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Slubetyg fran Grundskola - Final grade from Elementary School (Upper Grades)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Högskoleförberedande Examen (Higher Education Preparatory Diploma)

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Maturite Cantonale
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Maturiatszeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato di Maturita - Successful completion of the Diploma di Maturita with a pass of at least 75%

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Senior High School Leaving Certificate
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Completion of Senior High School Year 3 - 70% in any three relevant academic subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Matayom 6
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Mathayom (Maw) 6 with a GPA of 2.8 (70%) or above OR Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) OR Tonga Form Six Certificate for Certs L3 & L4 Tonga Form Seven Certificate for Dips L5
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a minimum overall mark of 60% OR Higher Technical Institute Diploma
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of one (1) full year of tertiary studies at a recognised tertiary institution,  OR Completion of an appropriate Otago Polytechnic pathway programme

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum C average
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum 2.5 GPA (C+ average) AND one of: SAT I with score minimum of 500 OR ACT with score minimum of 25 OR Advanced Placement (AP) Exam with score minimum of 3.0

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	GCE O Levels in 4 subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A Levels in 3 subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Successful completion of Pacific Secondary School Certificate (PSSC) with grade 4 or above (54 - 61%) OR South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Successful completion of South Pacific Seventh Form Certificate (SPFSC) with a minimum of 3 B grades in academic or course specific subjects

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông) (THPT)
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Completion of the National High School Graduation Examination (Kỳ thi tốt nghiệp Trung Học Phổ Thông quốc gia) with an overall pass; and a minimum GPA of 6.5 (K) in at least 4 academic subjects in Grade 12

Worldwide

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	GCE O Levels in 4 subjects
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A Levels in 3 subjects

Cambridge

NCEA Level 2
Diploma Level

Minimum of one AS Level pass with a grade of D or a minimum of 30 points or better

Subject(s) should be relevant and align with those typically recognised under NCEA Level 2 or University Entrance-approved subjects
General Paper or Thinking Skills should not be considered unless specifically relevant to the programme

NCEA Level 3
Degree Level

Minimum of one full A Level with a grade of D or better, or a minimum of 100 points or better on the Cambridge Tariff System

120 points may be required for programmes where New Zealand University Entrance is required.
A combination of A and AS Levels may be accepted to reach point thresholds

International Baccalaureate

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	Completion of International Baccalaureate Year 1 with a minimum of 14 points across SL Subjects.
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	Completion of International Baccalaureate, awarded with 24 points or more

NCEA Level 2 Certificate/Diploma Level	GCE O Level in 4 academic subjects with a grade of A to C.
NCEA Level 3 Degree Level	GCE A Levels with passes in at least 3 academic subjects.

Frequently asked questions

You can apply directly through our website. Begin the application process by clicking anywhere you see the Apply Now button on our website.

Check our helpful application guide for more information, or get in touch if you need any assistance.

Begin your application online. Our application portal will guide you through the process. All required documents must be uploaded, and each section must be marked as complete before we can assess your application.

Check our helpful application guide for more information, or get in touch if you need any assistance.

Your main cost will be tuition fees. Estimated tuition fees are listed on each programme page. Additional costs include the Student Services Fee, insurance, and other course-related expenses. Your Offer of Place will include your invoice for all study-related costs.

Remember to plan for travel and living expenses, as your study fees do not cover these costs.

We are pleased to offer the 2026 Otago Polytechnic International Scholarships for new international students enrolling in selected programmes. These scholarships offer up to a NZ$4000 reduction in tuition fees for full-time students beginning their studies in 2026.

These scholarships are awarded automatically as part of the admissions process, so you do not need to fill out a separate application. Visit the 2026 Otago Polytechnic International Scholarships page for a list of eligible programmes and for more details.

For programmes not eligible for the scholarship, no further discounts will apply.

For more information about scholarships, please visit our International Scholarships page.

There are different entry requirements depending on the programme you want to study and your home country’s education system.

You can check your eligibility on our entry requirements page.

Once you submit your application through our online portal, our staff will review your academic qualifications and any other required documents. They will contact you with the outcome of your application.

As we assess applications on a case-by-case basis, we cannot determine your eligibility via email.

You can view the status of your application in the application portal. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to get in touch.

Programmes have different English language requirements. You can check the IELTS score required on the programme page.

Many programmes accept alternatives to the required IELTS score. Find out more on our English language requirements page.

Please contact us if you are unsure whether your test will be accepted.

We require a copy of your academic transcript (translated into English and certified if possible), a certified copy of your passport, and an English language proficiency test result. Each application is different, and additional requirements may apply. Copies must be verified either by a Notary Public or Justice of the Peace - find out how to do this - Certified documents for application

Please note: Otago Polytechnic staff are not licensed to give immigration advice. For any questions about visas, please contact Immigration New Zealand directly.

Contact us

If you’re not sure what to study and would like some guidance, we’re here to help. Feel free to chat to us directly about any questions you may have.

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