Entry requirements for international students

Find out what qualification from your home country you need for entry into different levels of undergraduate study at Otago Polytechnic.

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Academic requirements to study in New Zealand

To enter Otago Polytechnic’s undergraduate certificates, diplomas and degrees, you need to have achieved a secondary school qualification that is equivalent to New Zealand’s NCEA levels (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

The following table shows you what qualification from your home country you need for entry into different levels of undergraduate study.

Equivalent academic entry requirements by country

South Korea

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

High School Diploma

Successful completion of High School Diploma with a B average. Or successful completion of one year’s tertiary education. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

New Caledonia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Baccalauréat with a minimum grade 10

Baccalauréat with a minimum grade 12

Norway

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Vitnemal fra Grunnskolen

Vitnemal fra den Videregaende Skole

Oman

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Thanawiya Amma (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) with a minimum overall mark of 80%

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Pakistan

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Higher Secondary School Certificate with a minimum average of 60%

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Papua New Guinea

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Higher School Certificate

UPNG Foundation Studies Certificate. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Philippines

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

High School Graduation with a pass in the University Admission Test

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Russia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

(Attestat) Certificate of Secondary Education, or Certificate of Maturity

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Samoa

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

USP Foundation Studies Certificate; UPY Certificate with at least 8 passes including a C1 pass in English.

Saudi Arabia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a minimum overall mark of 60%; Higher Technical Institute Diploma

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Singapore

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

GCE O Level with 4 grades of 1–6

GCE A Level; Foundation Studies Certificate

Netherlands

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

HAVO Diploma/senior general secondary education

VWO-Gymnasium A or B; VWO-Atheneum A or B Diplomas

Sri Lanka

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

4 GCE O Levels with grades ranging from A-C

Sri Lankan GCE A Levels with passes in at least 3 subjects.

Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Sweden

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Slutbetyg fran Grundskola (Upper Grades)

Student Examen/Avgangsbetyg Leaving Certificate

Switzerland

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Successful completion of the Diploma di Maturita with a pass of at least 75%.

Maturiatszeugnis/Certificat de Maturite/Attestato di Maturita

Taiwan

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Senior High School Leaving Certificate

Junior College Diploma or one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Thailand

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Matayom 6 (with a score of 50% or higher)

Matayom 6 with either 80% or more of grades at Level 4 or a Grade Point Average of 2.5 or higher, with a relevant subject mix. Or successful completion of one year’s tertiary education.Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Tonga

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Successful completion of Form 6

Successful completion of Form 7; USP Foundation Studies Certificate. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

United Kingdom

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

GCE O Levels in 4 subjects

GCE A Levels in 3 subjects

USA

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

High School Graduation Diploma, with a minimum C average

High School Graduation Diploma with a minimum C average, plus SAT 1 and SAT II score minimum 500/part. Or the Advanced Placement Exam.

Vietnam

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Successful completion of either the Diploma of General Education (Bang Tu Tai) or the Upper Secondary School Graduation Certificate (Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Tong Trung Hoc) with scores of 6 or higher.

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Worldwide

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Cambridge O Levels

Cambridge A Levels
International Baccalaureate.

Germany

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Mittlere Reife Realschlabschluss

Abitur or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife

Australia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Successful completion of Year 12/High School Certificate with an ATAR score of 74 or higher.

Bangladesh

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Higher Secondary Certificate with 1st division pass
(60% passes in 4 subjects)

Successful completion of one year of tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Brazil

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Certificado de Ensino Medio

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Canada

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Canadian High School Graduation with a minimum overall grade average of B or 65%. Different Provinces or Territories may vary.

Ontario Secondary School Diploma with a minimum of 65%, in six subjects in Grade 12.

Chile

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Licencia de Educacion Media or Tecnico Media

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

China

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Senior Secondary School Diploma

Achievement of good results in the National Higher Education Entrance Examination commonly known as the “Gaokao”.

Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Colombia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Bachillerato/Diploma de Bachilller 

Successful completion of one year of tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Denmark

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Folkeskolens 10 Klasseprove

Bevis for Studentereksamen (Hojere Forberedelsesekam) or Bevis for Hojere Handelseksamen

Fiji

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Fiji School Leaving Certificate with a 65% average over the best four subjects, which must include English and mathematics

Fiji 7th Form Certificate with a minimum of 250 including 50% in English; USP Foundation Studies Programme including a C in Communication Studies.

France

CEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Baccalauréat

Argentina

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Titulo de Bachillerato

Successful completion of one year of tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Ghana

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

West African School Certificate or GCE O Level with at least 4 A–C grades

 

Successful completion of one year of tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Hong Kong

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Hong Kong Certificate of Education (HKCE)
or equivalent.

Three General Certificate of Education (GCE) “Ordinary” level passes and two “Advanced” level passes (minimum of 5 points) in the GCE. Or Advanced Level Examination (minimum of 5 points) plus three passes (min grade C) in the HKCEE. Or completion of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) with a point score between 13–15 from the five best subjects.

India

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

At least 55% average across 4 academic subjects in CBSE, HSC or ISC with at least 60% in English, or equivalent in other boards

At least a 70% average over 4 academic subjects in CBSE, HSC, or ISC with at least 60% in English, or equivalent in other boards.

Indonesia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

STTB – SMA

SMA (average of 8.5). Successful completion of one year’s tertiary education. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Iran

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

High School Diploma (3 years) with grades of
at least 10

Pre-University Certificate (Peeshdaneshgahe) or successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Italy

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Successful completion of the Diploma di Maturita with a pass of at least 75%.

Japan

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Kotogakko Sotsugyo Shomeisho (Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate)

Successful completion of High School Diploma with a B average. Or successful completion of one year’s tertiary education. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

Malaysia

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

SPM with grades 1–6 or Chinese Unified Examination or equivalent

3 passes in STPM with C or better, or a maximum score of 18 points over 6 academic subjects in the UEC. English Language Proficiency Criteria: STPM English grade of B or higher; SPM English grade of A1 or A2; UEC English grade of B4 or higher. Or successful completion of an Australian Matriculation Programme, or successful completion of a Canadian Matriculation Programme.

Nepal

NCEA Level 2
Equivalent entry requirements for certificates and diplomas

NCEA Level 3
Equivalent entry requirements for bachelors' degrees and selected diplomas

Higher Secondary Certificate with 1st division pass.

Successful completion of one year’s tertiary study at a recognised institution. Or successful completion of an Otago Polytechnic certificate programme.

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.