Entry requirements for New Zealand and Australian students , Ngā paearu whakauru mō ngā tauira kei Aotearoa me Ahitereiria

New Zealand students

The standard entry requirements for new domestic students are:

• to be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a residence class visa
• if you're aged under 20, to have a University Entrance qualification such as NCEA Level 3, or equivalent
• to be aged 20 years or more to enter as an adult student
• to have good English skills
• to meet any specific entry requirements for your chosen qualification (you'll find these in the description of the qualification)
• have the right supporting documents, such as identification or New Zealand residence status.

To meet the NCEA Level 3 entrance standard, you can also use:

• 14 Level 3 credits in the NZIM Certificate in Management or the NZIM Certificate in Small Business Management
• a completed Young Enterprise Certificate (YES).

We assess applications on a case-by-case basis and you should let us know about these credits when you apply.

If you don't meet entry requirements

If you're a domestic student under 20 and don't meet the entry requirements, you may apply through Discretionary Entrance.

If you went to school overseas, but are a New Zealand citizen or resident who now lives here, you'll need to give us verified copies of your academic transcripts when you apply.

Exceptions to standard entry requirements

Preferential Entry Score

If the qualification you want to study has more applicants than places, you'll be given a rank score to qualify for preferential entry. Applicants with higher scores will be given entry until places are filled.

How your rank score is calculated

Pre-degree and undergraduate study

New students aged under 20 need a University Entrance qualification from school for admission to:

• pre-degree study (such as the Certificate of University Preparation)
• undergraduate study (such as a bachelor's degree).

If you're over 20, you'll qualify for admission as an adult student, which means you don't always need a University Entrance qualification.

New students need one of the following University Entrance qualifications.

Graduate and postgraduate study

Entrance to graduate (such as a graduate diploma) and postgraduate qualifications (such as a master's degree) is usually specific to your chosen area of study, and may include certain conditions.

The best way to find out what these are is to check the entry requirements which are in the description of your qualification.

Find a course or qualification

Find out what requirements you must meet if you're applying for admission to a PhD or professional doctorate.

Generally, postgraduate students need to have at least one relevant:

• Massey University degree with above-average achievement as measured by grade point average (GPA)
• degree from another New Zealand tertiary institution with above-average achievement as measured by GPA
• degree from a recognised tertiary institution overseas, with above-average achievement as measured by GPA.

You could also have relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience equal to that of a graduate (not all graduate and postgraduate qualifications allow entry on this basis).

You'll need to give us verified transcripts from all your previous tertiary study unless you completed your previous degree at Massey.

See important dates to apply

Learn about the admission and enrolment process

Australian students

Australian citizens who live and will study in New Zealand are also classed as domestic students.

The entry requirements for Australian domestic students include:

• Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) score 74 or greater
• Overall Position (OP) score 12 or lower
• Tertiary Education Rank (TER) 74 or greater
• Universities Admission Index (UAI) 74 or greater.

Adult students

You are an adult student if you are 20 years old or older by the final date enrolment applications are due.

For instance, if our final due date for enrolment applications to study in Semester One is January 22, and you turn 20 on or before that date, you are eligible to enter as an adult student.

As an adult student, you don't need to have an entrance qualification from school to be admitted into a qualification if places are available. However, if places are limited, your past academic, employment history and skills will be taken into consideration.

The following qualifications are recognised by us for adult entry.

University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Examination prior to 2004

From the New Zealand University Entrance, Bursaries and Scholarships Exam (NZUEBS):

• a grade of A, B or C in each of three subjects from the approved list, plus Higher School Certificate
• a New Zealand Bursary at ‘A’ or ‘B’ level
• a combination of NZUEBS A, B or C grades and Level 3 unit standards, from the National Qualifications Framework in subjects on the current NCEA approved list, plus Higher School Certificate.

Bursaries Examination prior to 1993

From the New Zealand Bursaries Exam:

• A grade of A, B, C or D in each of four subjects.

University Entrance prior to 1986

From New Zealand University Entrance:

• An award of New Zealand University Entrance, by examination or accreditation.

Other academic or study skills

To study at university level you'll need good English language skills, though you can also submit written work or exams in te reo Māori.

Some qualifications will ask for other specific skills, which will be outlined in the description of the qualification.

Learn more about skills needed for study

Pre-degree qualifications

We accept pre-degree certificates from the following universities and tertiary institutions:

• The University of Auckland
• Auckland University of Technology
• The University of Waikato
• Victoria University of Wellington
• University of Canterbury
• Lincoln University
• University of Otago
• Taylors College
• Manukau Institute of Technology
• New Zealand Institute of Management.

Foundation qualifications to meet entry requirements

If you don't have the skills or qualifications you need to be accepted into your chosen study, you can do foundation qualifications.

Certificate in Foundation Studies

Certificate in University Preparation

How to get help

If you need help with your entry requirements, or have questions, contact a Student Recruitment Adviser.

Contact the Student Recruitment Advisers